Win 7 desktop formatted 4TB hard drive not recognized when installed in USB 3 external enclosure

[atlantaaudio]

Takes forever to back up a 4TB hard drive via USB 3. Much faster if install HD in desktop, copy files, then reinstall in USB 3 enclosure. But in my case, Win 7 states the newly installed USB 3 HD must be initialized before use. How do I get around this to avoid waiting 'forever' for a USB back up to take place?

 

[Ubrales]

Is the USB 3 external enclosure rated for 4 TB hard disks? Some of the external enclosures can handle only 3 TB hard disks reliably.

 

[atlantaaudio]

Yes the USB 3 enclosure originally contained the 4TB hard drive before removal for backup via the Win 7 desktop. Tanks.

 

[fzabkar]

Windows prompts you to initialise the drive if it cannot make sense of the information in sector 0. That's where the partition table (MBR) or protective MBR (GPT) lives. One reason for this could be that the external drive is encrypted (eg WD My Book Essentials).

I would examine the drive with a disc editor, eg DMDE (freeware).

http://dmde.com

Could you show us sector 0? Uncheck the Show Partitions box after you launch DMDE.

 

[atlantaaudio]

This is a Samsung (Seagate) external 4TB drive where the HD (Seagate) has been removed from the enclosure. The drive is formatted GPT.

I will attempt a check using DMDE as you suggest. And attempt to find sector 0 as you suggest.

Many thanks.

Windows prompts you to initialise the drive if it cannot make sense of the information in sector 0. That's where the partition table (MBR) or protective MBR (GPT) lives. One reason for this could be that the external drive is encrypted (eg WD My Book Essentials).

I would examine the drive with a disc editor, eg DMDE (freeware).

http://dmde.com

Could you show us sector 0? Uncheck the Show Partitions box after you launch DMDE.