WD HDD problems

[Leon50]

Hello, i have a problem with a WD extarnal HDD. It worked verry good untill yesterday, suddenly i cannot see my files on it. The system says i have to format the disk. But i have a lot of important files on it. The drive is not broken (hardware). Is there a program or method that i can recover the files or mount the drive
gr Leon , Sittard, Holland

 

[compulsivebuilder]

I hope you are right, and the drive is not broken. If you are correct, then all you need to do is connect the drive to a replacement controller.

One option is to get another WD external drive of the same model, and swap drives. That's the most certain option.

You might be able to get access to the contents of the drive by putting the naked drive into a "drive dock" - a dock that lets you plug the naked drive into a USB connection. A drive dock is a useful tool to have.

Good luck getting your files back, but take this as a warning to make sure you have backup copies of your files. An external drive can fail without any warning.

 

[John_VanKirk]

Hi there,

Couple other thoughts about your removable WD HDD.
Could you please tell us the Model #, and size of the HDD, if it has an external power supply that's being used, and if it is plugged in by USB, Firewire, or SATA cable.

Rule out the easy things first, change the cable connecting it to the computer, and use a different port on the MB.
Then go to Disk Management, and please report the info shown in the lower graphical area (or a screenshot is very helpful).
The Drive Status column should read similar to: Disk 1, Basic, size xxx, Online or Offline
The Volume Status column should read similar to : VolumeName, DiskLetter, size xxx, NTFS, Healthy (Primary Partition) Also what is the color of the band above the Volume Status column.

 

[judsonp]

it is a 1TB WDT-D2C.. yes it has an external power supple ( wall outlet). it is plugged in by USB.. any thought with that info? i cannot lose this information

 

[John_VanKirk]

it is a 1TB WDT-D2C.. yes it has an external power supple ( wall outlet). it is plugged in by USB.. any thought with that info? i cannot lose this information

Hi again,

Please get the other information listed in our post: Rule out the easy things first, change the cable connecting it to the computer, and use a different port on the MB.
Then go to Disk Management, and please report the info shown in the lower graphical area (or a screenshot is very helpful).
The Drive Status column should read similar to: Disk 1, Basic, size xxx, Online or Offline
The Volume Status column should read similar to : VolumeName, DiskLetter, size xxx, NTFS, Healthy (Primary Partition) Also what is the color of the band above the Volume Status column.

Also exactly what is the name and model # of this external drive. If it has another choice of cable connection, like a eSATA. ,might try that choice instead of the USB connector. If that doesn't work, you can always remove the drive from the case, and connect it directly (assuming it's a SATA drive in the case) to a SATA port on your motherboard to rule out case PCB electronics as the caue.

The Disk Management info can be very helpful.

 

[rjbahnsen]

Hello, i have a problem with a WD extarnal HDD. It worked verry good untill yesterday, suddenly i cannot see my files on it. The system says i have to format the disk. But i have a lot of important files on it. The drive is not broken (hardware). Is there a program or method that i can recover the files or mount the drive
gr Leon , Sittard, Holland

 

[rjbahnsen]

Hi - See my post. WD no help at all. I had 3TB and 2 TB fail and got PCB replacement from outfit in Canada after begging WD for help. Going to data recovery firms as advised by WD way too expensive. Great service from Canada outfit and found on ebay. USD 75.00 and all good now. Will be buying Seagate or other from now on.