I removed a 500 GB Hitachi SATA HD from an old laptop to convert to an external USB storage device. After copying the items I wanted to save onto my computer I began to erase the HD on my MacBook. It began the process and then nothing happened for a LONG time, over an hour! I stopped the process and to try again and then it no longer was recognized by the Mac. I think it said "not initialized". I then tried it on my Windows based laptop and nothing there either, it just doesn't show up. Any ideas on what I should do now? This is the first time I've ever tried to do something like this! Thanks for your help, Rebecca
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Blank Hard Drive
- Thread starter ArcyMe
- Start date
1. First of all we'll assume there is either no longer any data on that 500 GB HDD, or if there is data still remaining on that drive you no longer need or want it. Is that the case?
2. Assuming it is...are you planning to utilize that HDD as an external USB device in a Windows (and NOT a Mac) environment? (I ask that question because I'm not sufficiently familiar with the Mac environment where I'm comfortable in providing any help or guidance involving an issue with the Mac environment.)
3. So if you plan to utilize the HDD as a USBEHD in a Windows-based OS, i.e., your Windows-system laptop, so advise and I'll provide you with some guidance in taking the steps to set up the HDD as a USB external device.
2. Assuming it is...are you planning to utilize that HDD as an external USB device in a Windows (and NOT a Mac) environment? (I ask that question because I'm not sufficiently familiar with the Mac environment where I'm comfortable in providing any help or guidance involving an issue with the Mac environment.)
3. So if you plan to utilize the HDD as a USBEHD in a Windows-based OS, i.e., your Windows-system laptop, so advise and I'll provide you with some guidance in taking the steps to set up the HDD as a USB external device.
Thank you for your response. I believe there is no longer anything on the drive. I would be happy to set it up to use in the windows environment. I just thought rather than sitting in the closet for years unused, I could at least use the HD. The old laptop would no longer boot up no matter what I tried.
I was able to move all of the files and pictures off of the HD once I removed it and put it in a USB external HD enclosure. Now on either laptop it is simply does not even show that something is plugged into the USB drive. RC
I was able to move all of the files and pictures off of the HD once I removed it and put it in a USB external HD enclosure. Now on either laptop it is simply does not even show that something is plugged into the USB drive. RC
1. First of all, it's conceivable that the USB external enclosure itself is defective. A not uncommon occurrence. If that is the case then the HDD (presumably non-defective) could be used as an internally-connected drive in a system or installed in another non-defective USB enclosure. I'm sure you're aware of these things but thought it might be well to reiterate them.
2. When you connect the USBEHD to a PC as things stand now is the drive listed under the "Disk drives" section of Device Manager and/or listed in Disk Management?
3. If not, have you tried connecting the device to another USB port if one is available? And changing the USB cable?
4. Do you have another HDD to temporarily install in the USB enclosure and test things that way?
2. When you connect the USBEHD to a PC as things stand now is the drive listed under the "Disk drives" section of Device Manager and/or listed in Disk Management?
3. If not, have you tried connecting the device to another USB port if one is available? And changing the USB cable?
4. Do you have another HDD to temporarily install in the USB enclosure and test things that way?
I used the USB enclosure with the HD to remove the files and wipe the HD, so I know it works. No, the HD does not show up anywhere when I plug it in now. I don't know if in the erase process there were supposed to be drivers or something left intact? I just don't know...maybe it's a complete loss at this point!
I wish you would be clearer in your responses to my questions.
Are you specifically indicating that you've installed the HDD INTERNALLY in the PC and it is NOT DETECTED BY EITHER DEVICE MANAGER NOR DISK MANAGEMENT? Is that the situation? Please FORGET about "drivers", "data" and such. Just respond specifically to my specific questions, OK?
Are you specifically indicating that you've installed the HDD INTERNALLY in the PC and it is NOT DETECTED BY EITHER DEVICE MANAGER NOR DISK MANAGEMENT? Is that the situation? Please FORGET about "drivers", "data" and such. Just respond specifically to my specific questions, OK?
Ok, SORRY!! Total novice here. I took my working laptop apart (nervous) and put the HD in question in the laptop and turned it on and it says "Reboot and Select proper Boot device or insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press key. Not really sure what that would be? Hope that is what you were asking for me to do. Thanks for being patient, RC
OK. The problem has been that we've (you & I) have been miscommunicating.
1. First of all it's hard for me to understand why you "took my working laptop apart" to install the problem HDD. I guess you were apparently successful in installing the HDD but it's hard to understand why you did this in the first place.
2. Based on everything I know about this "problem" HDD (and frankly I'm not too certain at all that I really know "everything" from your description of the problem), there is NO viable OS relevant to that laptop that's installed on the HDD. Haven't you previously said that you removed the files and "wiped" that HDD? That being the case, there's no OS available to the laptop to boot, is there? So of course you would get a message like the one you indicated.
3. We've been discussing this "problem" in terms of a HDD installed in a USB external enclosure, isn't that so?
4. I thought (mistakenly it seems) that you were able to install the HDD as a SECONDARY drive (not a boot drive which is impossible since there's no OS installed on that HDD) in a PC and see if the HDD would be detected in Device Manager & Disk Management. And if it was so detected, to initialize, partition, & format the drive with the instructions I would provide.
1. First of all it's hard for me to understand why you "took my working laptop apart" to install the problem HDD. I guess you were apparently successful in installing the HDD but it's hard to understand why you did this in the first place.
2. Based on everything I know about this "problem" HDD (and frankly I'm not too certain at all that I really know "everything" from your description of the problem), there is NO viable OS relevant to that laptop that's installed on the HDD. Haven't you previously said that you removed the files and "wiped" that HDD? That being the case, there's no OS available to the laptop to boot, is there? So of course you would get a message like the one you indicated.
3. We've been discussing this "problem" in terms of a HDD installed in a USB external enclosure, isn't that so?
4. I thought (mistakenly it seems) that you were able to install the HDD as a SECONDARY drive (not a boot drive which is impossible since there's no OS installed on that HDD) in a PC and see if the HDD would be detected in Device Manager & Disk Management. And if it was so detected, to initialize, partition, & format the drive with the instructions I would provide.
This seems to be a case on "Who's on first" if you are old enough to know the reference. Here is the situation, I have 3 laptops, 2 windows based & 1 Mac.
One of the Windows laptops has been dead for a number of years. I decided to take the HD out and see if I could use it like a flash drive for storing old pictures of our grandsons when they were young. I got a USB enclosure and hooked it up to my MacBook and copied the files & picture I wanted to save.
After retrieving these files I wiped the drive. However, once I did that neither of my working laptops were able to recognize the HD any longer when I connected through the USB port. It is like there is nothing plugged in. I've tested flash drives in the USB ports and they read fine. I also put the HD I removed from my laptop yesterday in the USB enclosure and connected it to my MacBook and it could read it so it is not that device.
I just don't know what to to to get the other HD to read again. These are the steps I have taken. I don't have the ability to connect a second drive to anything internally as I don't have a desktop PC.
I'm sorry to have been such a pain!
Thanks for your help,
RC
One of the Windows laptops has been dead for a number of years. I decided to take the HD out and see if I could use it like a flash drive for storing old pictures of our grandsons when they were young. I got a USB enclosure and hooked it up to my MacBook and copied the files & picture I wanted to save.
After retrieving these files I wiped the drive. However, once I did that neither of my working laptops were able to recognize the HD any longer when I connected through the USB port. It is like there is nothing plugged in. I've tested flash drives in the USB ports and they read fine. I also put the HD I removed from my laptop yesterday in the USB enclosure and connected it to my MacBook and it could read it so it is not that device.
I just don't know what to to to get the other HD to read again. These are the steps I have taken. I don't have the ability to connect a second drive to anything internally as I don't have a desktop PC.
I'm sorry to have been such a pain!
Thanks for your help,
RC
1. Unfortunately (or perhaps I should rather say "fortunately") I'm more than old enough to remember that classic A & C "Who's on first" routine.
2. Your latest post is quite clear. I only wish you had originally posted your query in the identical language. But perhaps it was my fault in not completely understanding the genesis and events that led to the problem you're experiencing.
3. Be that as it may...the crux of the problem appears to be your statement "After retrieving these files I wiped the drive." The phrase "wipe the drive" means to us that ALL the data on the drive is no longer available - "gone with the wind" as it were. Is that no so?
4. And this is the "drive" we've been discussing, is it not?
5. But do I now understand there's ANOTHER HDD in the picture since you state "...to get the other HD to read again"? Or is my understanding running rampant again?
6. It's just that I feel so frustrated in not being able to COMPLETELY understand the SPECIFICS of the problem, let alone the solution (if there is a viable one).
7. You haven't been a "pain" and I trust I haven't either. But if I have, please pardon me if I've offended you in any way with my remarks.
2. Your latest post is quite clear. I only wish you had originally posted your query in the identical language. But perhaps it was my fault in not completely understanding the genesis and events that led to the problem you're experiencing.
3. Be that as it may...the crux of the problem appears to be your statement "After retrieving these files I wiped the drive." The phrase "wipe the drive" means to us that ALL the data on the drive is no longer available - "gone with the wind" as it were. Is that no so?
4. And this is the "drive" we've been discussing, is it not?
5. But do I now understand there's ANOTHER HDD in the picture since you state "...to get the other HD to read again"? Or is my understanding running rampant again?
6. It's just that I feel so frustrated in not being able to COMPLETELY understand the SPECIFICS of the problem, let alone the solution (if there is a viable one).
7. You haven't been a "pain" and I trust I haven't either. But if I have, please pardon me if I've offended you in any way with my remarks.
You have a lot of patience! It's just the one HD that I have... I was referring to it as the non working HD that is now in my Windows laptop just sitting mocking me with It's "I don't have anything to boot up with attitude" as the other HD. I know that I keep making thing confusing, but in my mind it's all very clear!
So to reiterate: 3 laptops, 1 doesn't work so I removed & wiped the HD which leaves me with 2 operating laptops 1 Mac 1 windows, 1 HD that apparently I've ruined! That's pretty much sums it up. I was just trying to use the philosophy: reuse, renew, recycle...
It may just be a lost cause!! Can't blame a gal for trying! If you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them and I thank you for all your help to this point! RC
So to reiterate: 3 laptops, 1 doesn't work so I removed & wiped the HD which leaves me with 2 operating laptops 1 Mac 1 windows, 1 HD that apparently I've ruined! That's pretty much sums it up. I was just trying to use the philosophy: reuse, renew, recycle...
It may just be a lost cause!! Can't blame a gal for trying! If you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them and I thank you for all your help to this point! RC
Since it, i.e., the problem, seems to come down to a HDD that's installed in a laptop that doesn't contain a OS, couldn't you just go ahead and simply install an OS of your choice onto that HDD (a HDD that we're assuming is non-defective) and let it go at that? So that you could have a "working" PC?
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