Problem using an Orico external hard drive caddy.

[Hartt88]

Hi, new here. I am a complete Computer novice. I have a dead Sony Vaio Vgn Ar61 laptop that I want to send in for repairs. I sent it to the tech guys used by PC World a few years ago and they returned it saying they were not authorised to order the Sony part needed. I have a Dell desktop that I use instead so the laptop has been sitting there. I bought an Orico caddy to download my personal files to my desktop before I send the Vaio away for repairs, but I am being asked to format the drive. I understand formatting the drive will wipe the data from the drive, so I am wondering what can I do to read the files without formatting? There are two hard drives in this Vaio and both times I was asked to format to continue. Any assistance would be most welcome. Thank you in advance.

 

[ArtPog]

When you refer to an Orico "caddy", can I assume you're referring to a USB external enclosure that's designed to contain a HDD, right?

So if you install your HDD in the enclosure and connect that device to a USB port on your desktop PC, the system will treat the disk as a secondary HDD and you should be able to access the data on that disk. I assume the USB enclosure is designed to accommodate 2.5" disks as well as possible 3.5" disks.

Naturally the HDD(s) in question should be non-defective and whatever data was originally stored on the disk(s) is non-corruptible and available for access.

 

[Hartt88]

Thank you for the reply. Yes, it is a USB connected external enclosure. I placed the HDD into it and it comes up as a secondary HDD (F). I clicked on it to open it and it states that the HDD must be formatted to access it. This happened on both of the HDD'S.

 

[ArtPog]

When you access Disk Management the HDD should be listed there. Has a drive letter been assigned to it? If not, can you assign a drive letter? If so, whatever data is accessible should then be reflected in Windows (File) Explorer. If it is not, it's conceivable that for one reason or another whatever data was on the HDD is no longer accessible by the system because of corruption or a defective disk. In that case you would need to employ some data recovery program and hope for the best.

 

[Hartt88]

The letter assigned is local disk F, and when I try to open it it needs to be formatted. The laptop suffered a power surge I believe as it just switched off and cannot be rebooted, is it possible that the data on both drives was wiped or corrupted then? Thanks again.

 

[Shaun o]

When you move a hard drive from one system to another.

Say your laptop to the usb drive enclosure.

Two things can happen.
First of all because the drive was used and formatted via a different interface mode say Sata.
And then swapped over to a usb interface it can render the drive not being able to be read by windows due to the interface change.

The second problem you need to take note of is the existing drive letters of hard drives in the dell desktop.
If the drive you are placing in the usb enclosure has the same drive letter assignment of any existing drive of the desktop system you will be asked to format the usb drive due to that conflict.

To get around it use disk management of windows.
Click on the action tab, and then rescan drives.

Go down the drive listing, till you find the usb drive.
Look at the left most side to see what the status of the drive is.
If it does not say Online.

Right click on the next window payne and select change drive letter or path.
You need to select a drive letter for the drive where not other drive is already assigned to it in windows.

So pick J: or K: for example then apply the changes.

After that check the status of the drive. and set it to online via right clicking on the first window.

If successful, restart windows. and you should have access to the drive without it asking you to format .

It`s likely that the drive from the laptop has a letter assignment of C: or D:
And that the dell system also contains two drives already listed as C: or D:

This is why when you connected the laptop drive to the dell system you were asked to format it.
Because a drive letter cannot be duplicated in the same system.

Windows by asking you to format the drive is trying to resolve the conflict.
By asking you to format the drive.

But you just need to force the laptop drive to another drive letter assignment to avoid the formatting.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, Hartt88!

Unfortunately, if the laptop suffered a power surge, you might be dealing with a failed drive. 🙁 I'd recommend you test the HDD from the caddy using its brand-specific diagnostic tool. It will help you determine the health and SMART status of the hard drive. In case you cannot find it on the HDD manufacturer's official website, you can use a third-party testing tool alternative.

I hope you have the data from the drives backed up elsewhere, otherwise, you might need the assistance of a professional data recovery company.

Good luck & keep us posted.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Hartt88]

When you move a hard drive from one system to another.

Say your laptop to the usb drive enclosure.

Two things can happen.
First of all because the drive was used and formatted via a different interface mode say Sata.
And then swapped over to a usb interface it can render the drive not being able to be read by windows due to the interface change.

The second problem you need to take note of is the existing drive letters of hard drives in the dell desktop.
If the drive you are placing in the usb enclosure has the same drive letter assignment of any existing drive of the desktop system you will be asked to format the usb drive due to that conflict.

To get around it use disk management of windows.
Click on the action tab, and then rescan drives.

Go down the drive listing, till you find the usb drive.
Look at the left most side to see what the status of the drive is.
If it does not say Online.

Right click on the next window payne and select change drive letter or path.
You need to select a drive letter for the drive where not other drive is already assigned to it in windows.

So pick J: or K: for example then apply the changes.

After that check the status of the drive. and set it to online via right clicking on the first window.

If successful, restart windows. and you should have access to the drive without it asking you to format .

It`s likely that the drive from the laptop has a letter assignment of C: or D:
And that the dell system also contains two drives already listed as C: or D:

This is why when you connected the laptop drive to the dell system you were asked to format it.
Because a drive letter cannot be duplicated in the same system.

Windows by asking you to format the drive is trying to resolve the conflict.
By asking you to format the drive.

But you just need to force the laptop drive to another drive letter assignment to avoid the formatting.

 

[Hartt88]

Hi guys, I want to extend a big thank you to you all for sharing your time and expertise. Shaun, I followed your advice and changed the drive letter to J, I restarted windows and unfortunately I get the same format request. The disk remained in ONLINE status throughout, I never had to set it to online. So this hasn't worked which might as SuperSoph suggests, be a case of disk failure.

Hi SuperSoph, thank you for your reply. I will go on the Orico (enclosure manufacturer) website to get their diagnostic tool as you suggest. I will post an update to let everyone know how I got on. Thank you all again guys, I appreciate your help greatly.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there again, Hartt88!

Search for the HDD's brand-specific tool from the hard drive manufacturer's website, rather than the enclosure one. If you are unable to find it, you can refer to some good testing tool suggestions from the community as I mentioned in my previous post.

Keep us posted with the S.M.A.R.T. results.
Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD