Resolved External hard drive require format.

It appears error originates in Windows 7 and best or only known remedy is to ensure to click the cancel button as other option "format" will erase all contents stored in hard drive.

 

As I was having difficulty with a hard drive for better or worse decided to buying a new WD Elements 2Tb capacity. Horrors of horrors my computer remains in not recognising this new HD. On connecting HD, caption showed it had found a new hardware appliance. At present HD C,D- F<G<H<I<J< are all
showing and working properly. I tried removing all current installed HD, connecting new HD but remained not recognised. Help to resolve this error will be most appreciated.
WD Web site shows very little in resolving issues of this nature.

 

Disk Management does not show items you mention, only HD already installed.
The HD was bought at Argos.

 

Are you connecting the new hard disk directly to USB port on computer or through a hub ?

 

Powered hub. Also tried computers USB sockets located at rear and front, all fail to recognise new HD. Software is included on HD, however it is useless if the HD not able to install.

 

Yes it does, it has its own power supply.

 

HD is WD Elements reference WDBAAU0020H8K-01.
To be honest the computer itself is at fault by acting most erratic, Paragon backup is no longer able to complete a backup.
The change HD letter is shown only in part as nothing is showing to enable the letter to be changed.
Computer is around 7 years since purchase and always a pain for errors.
The remaining four HD still functioning are connected to card clipped in motherboard and is supposed to convert to USB 3.

 

Software cannot fix, or be expected to work correctly on, flaky hardware.

Repair or replace the flaky hardware and then try the software.

 

Yeah, as The Good Doctor says, it needs replacing...

 

Your are absolutely correct, with what? Desktops are less of choice.
New HD apparently is shown as unmarked in disk management but remains as unobtainable.

 

Through continual checking, I now find that 4 HD connected to the USB 3 4 port connected to mother board now appear to work satisfactorily. However, if the 5th HD is connected to the powered hub, the highest letter on the USB3 card no longer works until the 5th HD is again disconnected. I am not a person to easily give up with of course help from you good people, there is an explanation not to be found in this case.
Disk Management is now working.

 

PeteC, in answer to your entry.

Disk Management :

HD C-D Healthy.

F : Healthy. 32Mb unallocated.

G : Healthy.

H : Healthy.

I : Healthy.

J : Healthy. *(at cold start, not always shown).

*. my own comment, not displayed in DM.

 

The explanation is: the only solution for flaky, incompatible, failing, junk and/or dead hardware, is to repair or replace it. No amount of fiddling around with software is going to somehow magically fix it.

When some of the USB devices that are plugged into your USB 3.0 PCIE adapter or USB Hub(s) keep mysteriously disappearing/reappearing, you've got a serious hardware problem somewhere. Which is not only causing excessive wear and tear on your drives, it's potentially corrupting data every single time you attempt to use them.

 

Dell Inspiron 660s, with Windows 7, start at $359 (USD)

 

Well I do not think my computer was ever junk, though I must agree it did have hiccups from time to time. Mentioned is Dell, well did hear over the years unflavoured reports. Where I live to obtain a descent spec computer requires to by on line as most local dealers have long gone and I do believe it is good practice to buy locally for after sales care.
I must thank all who contributed to my help call, thank you.