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Resolved My external disk not accessible

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by fkaramagi, 2011/04/09.

  1. 2011/04/09
    fkaramagi

    fkaramagi Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I cannot access data on my 160GB Western Digital USB 2.0 external disk. It is not listed in My Computer folder. :confused:It is however listed when I point at or double click the Safely Remove Hardware button (for unplugging USB devices) but with no drive letter. I am inclined to rule out the USB cable because it works well with other devices like my Alcatel cell phone. I am also inclined to rule out drivers because the problem occurs when I plug the disk in other computers. My computer is running on XP SP3. Anyone ever got and resolved a similar this problem? Help!
     
    fkaramagi,
    #1
  2. 2011/04/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Does the drive show up in Disk Management and if so is a drive letter assigned? If not see if you can assign one.

    Otherwise I would hazard a guess that the controller in the external drive is playing up or is failing, particularly as the issue arises on other computers too. The odds are that the drive itself is OK and your data safe so you may need to consider installing it in another external case.

    I do hope that you have a current backup of the data on that drive - storing data on an external drive does not constitute a backup unless the selfsame data is also on the computer hard drive or on other independent media.
     
    PeteC,
    #2
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  4. 2011/04/09
    fkaramagi

    fkaramagi Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    The disk does not show in Disk Management.
    I seems changing the case is going to be a tall order - it looks like it is sealed! No screws, no hooks.
     
    fkaramagi,
    #3
  5. 2011/04/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Par for the course these days. I had a similar situation with a friend's external HD - brute force and a screwdriver won the day :) I wrenched it apart!! And, yes, it was the controller - hitching up the drive via and adaptor showed it to be sound and all data ws copied off. Friend opted to get a new drive, but a new case would have sufficed.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2011/04/13
    fkaramagi

    fkaramagi Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I managed to open the case with a table knife!! I got a second external disk and swapped controllers. My disk still behaves (or is it misbehaves) the same. The controller from my disk works well on the second disk.
     
    fkaramagi,
    #5
  7. 2011/04/13
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Seems to indicate the hard disk itself as failed.

    Check out the drive using the manufacturer's disk diagnostics:

    Western Digital
     
    Arie,
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  8. 2011/04/17
    fkaramagi

    fkaramagi Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Test Results:

    Test Option: QUICK TEST
    Model Number: WD
    Unit Serial Number:
    Firmware Number: 1.75
    Capacity: 0.00 GB
    SMART Status: Not Available
    Test Result: PASS
    Test Time: 16:40:39, April 17, 2011

    Test Option: EXTENDED TEST
    Model Number: WD
    Unit Serial Number:
    Firmware Number: 1.75
    Capacity: 0.00 GB
    SMART Status: Not Available
    Test Result: FAIL
    Test Error Code: 08-Error was detected while repairing bad sectors.
    Test Time: 16:41:23, April 17, 2011

    Test Option: WRITE ZEROS
    Warning: Data will erased and lost for selected drive
     
    fkaramagi,
    #7
  9. 2011/04/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Unortunately the result of the Extended test says it all - FAIL and
    I think the drive is dead - unless Windows will recognise the disk your chances of recovering the data are virtually non-existant, unless you are prepared to pay a large sum to a Data Recovery company.

    I do hope that the data was backed up elsewhere.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
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  10. 2011/04/22
    fkaramagi

    fkaramagi Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I guess I have lost the disk! I have had to buy another one.

    Test Option: WRITE ZEROS
    Model Number: WD
    Unit Serial Number:
    Firmware Number: 1.75
    Capacity: 0.00 GB
    SMART Status: Not Available
    Test Result: FAIL
    Test Error Code: 09-Sector #0-1::Write Zeros error!
    Test Time: 11:35:26, April 21, 2011
     
    fkaramagi,
    #9
  11. 2011/04/22
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    Yep, drive has gone AWOL, and the write zero test has made data recovery a lot more difficult (I'm sure you know this just pointing it out for other readers).

    Write Zero's is a data destructive test, DO NOT try this on a drive you hope to recover data from.

    Bin your drive and get another.
     
    wildfire,
    #10
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  12. 2011/04/22
    JCinvan

    JCinvan Inactive

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    FYI: I found a compatibility issue between my 80Gb USB drive and the USB hub. The drive was not recognized and would make funny noises like it was dying. But then I realized that it works just fine when connected directly to the Mother Board.

    Something to consider before giving up on a drive.
     
    JCinvan,
    #11
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  13. 2011/04/23
    fkaramagi

    fkaramagi Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    JC, am not using a USB hub, I connect directly to the USB port.
    The casing looks real nice and the controller works - I will reuse them. ;)My students will "open up" and "look" inside the disk.
    For the data - it is sob! sob!. But I had much of it on a PC.
    Thank you WBS community. Blessed Easter Season.
     
    fkaramagi,
    #12

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