Portable external HDD showing as Local Disk (F:)

[jakeagha]

Hi,
I know there are a lot of threads like mine but none of the solutions work for my particular problem.

I have a Western Digital WD Elements 1TB portable external HDD with USB connectivity. I went to plug it in to my gaming desktop today and I couldn't access any files. The green loading bar at the top runs for about a minute and then the following error messages pop up:

F:\ is not accessible
The parameter is incorrect.

I also tried plugging it into my brother's laptop and it worked and I could access my files on that device.

Is there a reason why my computer can't access the files but my brother's computer can? And does anyone have any fixes? I have some important files on my hard drive that I can't afford to lose.

Thanks in advance,
Jake

EDIT: There are now more errors coming up:

F:\
The directory name is invalid.

F:\ is not accessible
The request is not supported.

 

[D_Know_WD]

Hi there jakeagha,

That is really unpleasant 🙁

As you have some important data stored on the drive and as it is properly recognized on another computer, you should really get your files off the drive until you sort that out.

After that, you can test the drive with WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic tool. Just run both short and extended tests on it: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=btFzoP

If the tests fail, you will need to replace the drive. Is it under warranty?

In case the drive passes both tests, then I believe there could be something wrong with your system. See if the issue persists when you attach the drive to another USB port. The ones on the back of the computer case tend to provide more power.
Updating your system drivers will not hurt as well.

Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD

 

[jakeagha]

Hi there jakeagha,

That is really unpleasant 🙁

As you have some important data stored on the drive and as it is properly recognized on another computer, you should really get your files off the drive until you sort that out.

After that, you can test the drive with WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic tool. Just run both short and extended tests on it: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=btFzoP

If the tests fail, you will need to replace the drive. Is it under warranty?

In case the drive passes both tests, then I believe there could be something wrong with your system. See if the issue persists when you attach the drive to another USB port. The ones on the back of the computer case tend to provide more power.
Updating your system drivers will not hurt as well.

Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD

Hi D_Know_WD,
Sorry for the wait - I've been busy with life! I have completed the short test and my drive passed. The program is currently completing the long test and will take ~10 hours.

Yes, the drive is under warranty but I seem to have misplaced the receipt so no point returning it.

I found another website that directed me to download a program (EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard) and I have run scans on that and my files have shown up so I will use that program to recover my files and then I will reformat my drive.

Just to confirm, is NTFS the right file system to format the drive as?

Thanks,
Jake

 

[D_Know_WD]

In case you are on Win, then yes, you can go with NTFS.

Cheers,
D_Know_WD