External Hard drive files not displaying

[nihon94]

My Older USB External Hard drive was working fine. One day all of sudden it started file check some how (by moving computer) USB got unplugged. Since then when I re-plugged it does not show files, however, the drive letter appears in My computer. Refer screen shot

In the screen shot you can see Used 168 GB and Unused space 64.7 GB FAT32 USB 1 (Japanese windows vista)

After that I check disk error and got nothing but CHK files. I have tried recovery software which recovered deleted files but not the important work which I need.

In windows disk management I can see the drive letter, space and health which is good.

I wonder what is causing this Buffalo External Hard drive not showing files while the disk used and unused space is their.
When I ran anti malware soft, anti virus soft they only scan Recycle bin or Found000 files(chk I guess). Soft does not scan the real files or folder.

Any suggestion or help will be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, nihon94.

I can't see the screenshot for some reason. Would you please be so kind as to post another screenshot from Disk Management (you can use imgur.com to upload the image)?

It sounds like the partition might have become corrupted when the external drive got disconnected. I'd recommend that you try it with a different computer, to see if the same thing happens. Other than that you could keep trying different data recovery programs, to see if one of them is able to recover the files you need: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1644496/lost-data-recovery.html and http://pcsupport.about.com/od/filerecovery/tp/free-file-recovery-programs.htm. Another option would be to try and access the drive via Ubuntu Live USB, to see if it's properly recognized and if you can get to your data.
And finally, if those files are really important, perhaps the best solution would be to go for professional help, such as a data recovery company.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD

 

[nihon94]

Hey there, nihon94.

I can't see the screenshot for some reason. Would you please be so kind as to post another screenshot from Disk Management (you can use imgur.com to upload the image)?

It sounds like the partition might have become corrupted when the external drive got disconnected. I'd recommend that you try it with a different computer, to see if the same thing happens. Other than that you could keep trying different data recovery programs, to see if one of them is able to recover the files you need: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1644496/lost-data-recovery.html and http://pcsupport.about.com/od/filerecovery/tp/free-file-recovery-programs.htm. Another option would be to try and access the drive via Ubuntu Live USB, to see if it's properly recognized and if you can get to your data.
And finally, if those files are really important, perhaps the best solution would be to go for professional help, such as a data recovery company.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD

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First I am giving you url link for the screen shots. There are two images
Please not this time I will not use Picture Url feature to avoid problem. You got to copy and paste link.
1. File Name: H 1 drive disk management.jpg
download link
https://www.sendspace.com/file/a43nsw

2.File Name: H drive.jpg
download link
https://www.sendspace.com/file/fjapqq

After looking at the images if you got new info please let me know.

Thank you for quick reply.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hmm... everything seems to in order from what I see in the screenshots. I was afraid that the partition might have become RAW instead of having a file system, but it seems like this is not the case.

My suggestions remain the same. Try everything out, you could add another option - trying the drive with a different USB cable (preferably shorter than 12"), just in case. I usually always recommend that, but I guess I though that it won't be necessary in this case.

 

[nihon94]

Further to your answers:

I have tried different USB cables
I have tried different data recovery
I have tried with different computer
I think I have tried Ubuntu but may be it was ISO (not sure)
And always I did not access the real files or folder rather deleted ones/Found files etc.

In Japan going to professionals that is super costly around $2500 to up. That is why
I still keep this drive and trying myself.

IF you got any new idea please let me know.

Thanks for you quick help.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Unfortunately it seems like you're left with whatever data recovery programs you haven't already tried and the Ubuntu option possibly. Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows and here's where to download it from http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop.

I know that data recovery services are always costly, so yes, this should be your last resort.

 

[nihon94]

Thank you for reply and link.
As in my earlier post I mentioned about Ubuntu ISO thing, when I checked the link you have provided I realized I have tried this before but that was from DVD not USB the only reason I avoid USB option is when the computer start it should go to USB which need changing settings on computer.

Yes, I agree with you data recovery services are costly.

Thank you once again for your advice so far.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Sure thing. I hope you're able to recover the important files you have on that drive.
It doesn't matter whether you've tried the Ubuntu option with a USB drive or a DVD, because it's practically the same thing. It's unfortunate that it didn't help. 🙁

Please keep me posted on your progress.