Question Drive not recognised, was fine 30 minutes ago

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MrYossu

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Dec 15, 2013
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I have a WD Scorpio Black hard drive, that I have in a case with a USB wire, so I can plug it in as an external drive. Been using this as a backup drive for some time without problems.

Earlier today, I copied some files onto it, then when it had finished, unplugged it. I just tried it in my lap top (where it gets used regularly), but it didn't show up. Plugged it back in the desktop and it also didn't show up. I heard the noise Windows 7 makes when you plug in an external device, but that was it.

I used Computer Management to look at it, and it showed up, although as inactive. I right-clicked it and set it to active, at which point it showed up in Windows Explorer, but a message popped up telling me I needed to format it before I could use it. Needless to say I declined this kind offer!

If I double-click the drive, I get a message "H:\ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect"

If I look in Device manager, I can see it there. However, if I try and view the drive properties in any of Explorer, Computer Management or Device Manager, nothing comes up.

I have a docking station, and tried plugging it in that, but had the same lack of success.

Anyone any ideas? I really don't want to lose the data on it. Thanks.

P.S. Please let me know if I need to supply any more info.
 
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Not sure how old the drive is, few years I think, but it isn't used that much. It's basically used as a removable storage device, not an active OS disk.

I ran HD Sentinel on it, here is the tab for SMART...




The overview tab shows 100% performance and 95% health, with a message about 9 weak sectors. Not sure what else to tell you.

I don't think I can run CHKDSK , as that needs a drive letter, and this drive doesn't have one.

I just tried running Computer Management, and clicking the Disk management node, and got this...

190611DiskManagement.png


I used this tool the other day and didn't get this. Anyway, I didn't click OK, as I wasn't sure if this would lose any chances I may have of getting the data back.

Thanks for the reply. Don't know if any of this helps.
 
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PC Tailor said:
Initialising the disk can erase data from it.

Does make you wonder why it had simply stopped initialising - the sector issue may be this. And it may be indicative of the drive failing.

You can also try this here: https://social.technet.microsoft.co...external-usb-hard-drive?forum=w7itprohardware
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, that thread didn't help. In device manager, I see loads of USB devices, all seem to be working fine. Also, I have the same problem on my lap top, so it looks like the issue is with to the drive, not the computer.

I think the next step is to take it my local PC shop and see if they can recover the data. Thanks again.
 
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is the case the drive is in readily removable? (If the drive is unencrypted, and if the underlying drive is conventional SATA, perhaps it might be accessible when plugged into a desktop's unused SATA port? As many drives have USB-only interface cards attached, that would quickly eliminate any access via desktop SATA methods as well)

If you value the data at $300 or more, I'd start your consult with:

https://www.300dollardatarecovery.com/
 
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