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Resolved External Hard Drive Error.

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Naj, 2010/01/10.

  1. 2010/01/10
    Naj

    Naj Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi....
    I have bought this external Hard Drive from a friend which is 320GB Seagate..Free Agent.
    It was working fine till last week but suddenly it stopped working and Computer doesnt show it on mycomputer.
    sometimes I get this...I/O error message..
    yeah it has warrenty but I have some stuff inside it I afraid to loose them.
    so if there is any help ?
     
    Naj,
    #1
  2. 2010/01/11
    demon

    demon Well-Known Member

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    Hi I have western Digital 320gig External HDD, when I first tried it Ok loaded all my back up stuff from 3 PC's ( 2 Desktops and a Laptop) . but when I went to retrieve data my desktop would not recognise it ,
    I was using it thru a extension USB cable, it worked first time , but not now ???, I tested it on the 2 newer PC's and it was Ok, then I plugged it directly in to the desktop PC and it is good as.
    Seems that the USB cable would not handle it .
    Camera and sticks all work OK on the same cable.
    Cheers Des.
     
    demon,
    #2


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  4. 2010/01/11
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Arie,
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  5. 2010/01/11
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive

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    Arie, I've been having asimilar problem with an external drive (now you see me, now you don't).I'd like to follow the advice in your post but I cant see the manufacturer's name on the device (just made in Taiwan). Where do I look for manufacturer specs? Ive tried right clicking the drive but under 'hardware' it says Manufacturer (Standard disk drives) You have helpfully listed various manfacturers above, but is there perhaps a general disk diagnostic tool (I cant find one)?
     
    Last edited: 2010/01/11
    cozzielex,
    #4
  6. 2010/01/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Run SIW with the drive connected and visible - look under Hardware > Storage Devices. The drive should be listed, but the make/model no. of the drive may not be as Device Manager does not give that info.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2010/01/11
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive

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    You are right Pete, just says unknown. There is a serial no. (STM3250318AS0). From your experience does that give any clue?
     
    cozzielex,
    #6
  8. 2010/01/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Think it's a Maxtor.
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2010/01/11
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive

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    Yes you're quite right, I got lost a bit as maxtor is now seagate. I followed the link, found something called disc wizard which appears to be something to do with driver installation. If you(or anyone else) has the time could you please tell me which is the correct tool on that site to properly diagnose my drive. (Sorry I'm a bit dense sometimes)
    Please belay my last request I have found the tool (Sea tools for windows), ran the SMART test and it gives the drive a pass.
    Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I presume therefore any fault must with the device itself?
    To Naj and Demon, I'm sorry I appear to have hijacked your thread but perhaps the info migh help you. Naj, in particular you might want to diagnostic tool I mentioned.
    Thanks
     
    Last edited: 2010/01/11
    cozzielex,
    #8
  10. 2010/01/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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  11. 2010/01/11
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive

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    Thanks Pete, I got Seatools for window, is there any difference?
     
    cozzielex,
    #10
  12. 2010/01/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Yes - the DOS version runs from a boot floppy/CD and is invaluable when the computer will not boot into Windows.

    The Windows version runs from within Windows - should be OK for your external.
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2010/01/11
    cozzielex

    cozzielex Inactive

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    Thanks for that, Im stuck with the windows version anyway since I dont have a floppy disk drive. I just wasnt sure what DOS meant in this context. Got it now!
     
    cozzielex,
    #12
  14. 2010/01/11
    Naj

    Naj Inactive Thread Starter

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    its not showing on Seagate manager but its been shown on My computer but its not accessable....and On Seatool for Windows ...all tests are faild just short Generic was passed.
    What should be the next step?
     
    Naj,
    #13
  15. 2010/01/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The omens are not good, but it is impossible to say if the problem lies with the external drive controller or the drive itself.

    As you have data on the drive you wish to recover I suggest you remove the drive from the external case - you will void the warranty, but equally well if you return the drive you are unlikely to get your data back. Connect the drive as a slave to a desktop (internally) or into another external case.
     
    PeteC,
    #14
  16. 2010/01/11
    Naj

    Naj Inactive Thread Starter

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    Is there anyother way ? becuase my motherboard doesnt have ATA slot and its ATA...so I couldnt connect it to my desktop...:(
     
    Naj,
    #15
  17. 2010/01/12
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  18. 2010/01/20
    Naj

    Naj Inactive Thread Starter

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    when I connected it with USB to SATA....is shows it all blank but on property it shows 100 percent used 0 percent free and it says RAW
     
    Naj,
    #17
  19. 2010/01/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
    #18
  20. 2010/01/23
    Naj

    Naj Inactive Thread Starter

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    thanks again for your help I think its time to mark this thread as solved
     
    Naj,
    #19
  21. 2010/01/23
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome - shame we could not recove the drive for you.

    Please mark this thread as 'Resolved', see .....
     
    PeteC,
    #20

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