trying to initialize an ex-external hard drive

hello, someone reccomended this forum as you might be able to help me.

my problem is, i bought a maxtor basics 500GB external drive, when i bought it, i was using windows vista, well everything was fine, then after about 18 months, i went to transfer something on to it & noticed that all folders were empty, very strange, so i restarted windows thinking it was a glitch & when windows restarted, the external had dissapeared from my computer, i tried everything to find it, but nothing, so i decided, since it was outside warranty period, i would take hard drive out & try putting it in my pc, so off i went to pc world, bought a power adaptor & sata lead & put it in my pc, it didnt show up in my computer BUT did show up in disk management, but not initialized, i couldnt get it to initialize, so i tried quite a few programs & nothing worked, so i gave up.

Now i have windows 7 ultimate & thought i would try this again, so i stuck drive into pc again & its the same as when i has vista (explained above) not initialized etc, BUT it did install drivers for drive, today i have tried, Get Data Back NTFS recovery & Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery & a few others.

My querie is, is there anyone that can help me get some of the data (not all) off this drive, or be able to get drive initialized, as some of the data i really cant replace, Photos & some music that i will never be able to get again

Thanks in advance

 

Have you tried Seagate's Disk Diagnostic Software (seatools) for Seagate, Maxtor and Quantum Drives?

Try the non destructive (read only) tests first if you want to try and recover data.

 

nope dont work tried ultimate boot disc & Gparted aswell, but get an error when it tries to scan disc from bootup

 

he cant reply atm until the mod approves the post he is trying it now.

 

Hi nizzmo,

What kind of errors are being reported (preferrably from seetools)?

@coolwaters,

Thanks for letting me know but really there's no need

 

when i do a boot cd (graphical) it starts long scan & stops instantly, i copied the log & here it is lol:-

Device 1 is Seagate Device ST3500820AS Serial 9QM0Y7VK oNITEL ICH7

Max Native Address 0

Device is 48 Bit Addressed - Number of LBAs 429496729s (9444732965739.291 GE

This device does not support Security Features

SMART is supported and enabled
SMART Has not been tripped
DST is not supported
Logging feature set is supported
PDH 0 current temp 0

STARTED LONG TEST 1/24/2010 @ 20:31.54
LONG TEST FAILED 1/24/2010 @ 20:31.54

TEST IMFORMATION AND RESULTS

ST3500820AS 9QMOY7VK

The drive is not responding to commands. check cables and drive power connection

As i said in initial post, the drive is seen in disk management but i cant initialize it or view it or anything

Thanks

 

Ok, earlier you said you bought a power adapter, how are you connecting this to the PSU (a single connection or splitting an existing one)?

It's not looking good for your data, but check out that connection first and if possible when in your computer let us know the make and wattage of your PSU.

 

my PSU is an ISO iso400pp max 300W output

& my power connection for drive is normal 4 pin to normal sata power & its a connector on its own

 

That may be your problem, 300w nowadays is very weak, if possible try another external case with it's own power. They're not that expensive, I bought one last week from a local store for £15.

 

whats size do you reccomend 400W 500W???

 

The larger the better, but 450 minimum.

It's less expensive, easier and more portable to buy an external case for your HD though.

It's your choice.