[likekinds]

I got my first computer about 9 years, ago. It wasn't long after that, I saw the need for external hard drives for storage and backup. Since that time, I have had one external drive request formatting three times. I had another external drive to request formatting, once.

In all four instances, there was no apparent reason for the formatting request. I did not format either time. Instead, I chose to use recovery software to salvage my data. In each case, I was able to retrieve all or nearly all of the data. The data was intact and undamaged.

The recovery data software replaces the names of the files with numbers. It takes me months to rename and re categorize these files.

My question is: If the drive is undamaged and the files it contains are intact and undamaged, is there some means by which I can 'see' the files? The recovery software sees these files. It would seem that in cases such as mine, that I should be able to somehow, access the data pretty much as the recovery software does. In other words, my drive and all my data are fine. It's just that through some quirk, Windows thinks the drive is empty and wants me to format it.

The recovery software gets past this hurdle. I don't see why I couldn't do the same if I knew how the software does it, and yes, if I was smart enough to use the method. It sure would save me many weeks of work.

I'm thinking that maybe in the near future, recovery software programs might include diagnostics to first determine if the data is intact and undamaged, and if it is, a method for simply accessing the data. In effect, just bypassing Windows false assumption that the drive is empty.

There, I said it. I've shown my ignorance and lack of computer savvy. Why is what I'm thinking is feasible, not feasible?

 

[Corday]

Cloud backup would solve your problem. Here's an interesting article pertaining to your question.
What Is Data Recovery And How Does It Work?

 

[likekinds]

Nice article, Corday, but it doesn't address my question. My data is not lost. Windows says the drive is empty. TestDisk says it is not, and is currently recovering data from that disk. A major problem other than spending months getting my files back in order, is that TestDisk has been running for 19 hours and estimates completion will take another 6040 hours. That's 8.2 months.

That's a big price to pay when it seems there should be some way to convince Windows all the data is there. The problem is not a damaged drive nor lost or corrupted data, it's a Windows error that should somehow be able to be corrected.

 

[Corday]

Have you tried using the external drive on another computer?

 

[jenae]

Hi, the format request happens since windows does not recognize the drive even though it has done so in the past. This is a problem with either the INfcache1 file or the usbstor.inf and usbstor.pnf are missing.

Recreating the Infcache1 file usually does the trick, I wrote this fix long ago I am not sure if the location is the same for 7 as it was for vista easy for you to check.

Log into your computer as your normal log on account (one that has admin privileges)
Go to start, search and type :- control folders, open the returned control folder select “view” and put a check in “show hidden files and folders” and uncheck “hide protected system files and folders(recommended)” DO not forget to undo this when finished.

Next open windows explorer (the file manager) and navigate to:-
c:\windows\system32\driverstore…. look for Infcache.1, we will right click on this file and select delete, windows will not allow saying you do not have permission, to gain permission:-

Go to start, search and type:- cmd right click on the returned cmd.exe and select “run as administrator” at the prompt type:- (copy paste)

takeown /f c:\windows\system32\driverstore
(press enter) you should receive a message that the file is now owned by your user name.

Next type:-

icacls c:\windows\system32\driverstore /grant vistatest\paul:f
(press enter) substitute your user name (from the first cmd) for vistatest\paul (my user name) be sure to add the :f at the end (syntax important)

Now you will be able to delete Infcache.1, after this Restart your computer and plug in a USB device (not the one you were having problems with) windows will rebuild the cache and now your device should be recognised Let us know how you get on.

 

[likekinds]

jenae

This problem is just one chapter in a whole saga. First, the HD in my Acer Aspire m1641, died. I got out my Dell XPS410. It was locked in Power Saving Mode. Some how. I got it out. When I did, I had a blue screen and a racing fan. (It was fine when I put it away).
I was told to remove the HD and connect it to an XP. I think when I tried this, the connection was not correct and maybe I short circuited the HD's circuit board. Anyway, the HD no longer works and I am ordering a replacement circuit board to see if that will fix the HD.

With both Vistas down, I got out a Dell Dimension 9100 XP. It has a small capacity HD. With most of my backup files on a 1 TB WD MyBook, I got it out and connected it to the XP. Windows requested a format. The drive was fine the last time I used it. So, here I am with the 1TB My book connected to an XP ( to which a 2Tb MyBook is attached. I'm using TestDisk to try to recover files from the 1TB MyBook.

At present, I don't have a Vista to connect the smaller MyBook to so I can try your suggestion. I tried it connected to two XP machines and on both a format was requested. Unless you can think of another work around, I will have to put this problem on the back burner for a while. One thing is for sure, I can't continue this rescue mission with TestDisk. The estimated time to completion has jumped to 8272 hours. That's almost a year.

An interesting note. With the 1TB MyBook (the one requesting a format), connected to an XP, and a 2 TB MyBook connected to the XP to capture recovered data, I am running TestDisk. I was curious to see if Windows would show the 1TB MyBook as empty and request a formatting at the same time TestDisk was recovering Data from it. I went to Computer on the XP and clicked on the MyBook. Sure enough, it requested a formatting. I did this twice with the same results. On the third and forth try, I got a different response. Instead of requesting a formatting, Windows now says the drive is not accessible. Is that a good sign?