Windows 7: Harddisk can't be accessed & freeze my com

Hi all, i have a 3TB seagate external harddisk that I've been using without problems for around half a year but when I switched on my computer today, it causes my com to freeze and is inaccessible. It used to be named as storage but now it is Local Disk instead. When I tried to click/ rightclick it, it causes my com to freeze so I can't format it as well. (Is there a way to get back my files after I format it?)

here's a screenshot of my computer and the problem harddisk


I need help as I don't know what is wrong and is my harddisk spoiled? Do I need to send it for repair? Please help!

Hello stoleaway and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you format a drive data will be erased. I'd hold off doing that.

Couple of things you can try. But before doing anything I'd suggest making at least a restore point or better yet, a system image, just in case.

- Since the external hard drive was detected earlier, I would suggest you try restoring your computer to an earlier date/time prior to when the problem first appeared.

System Restore

- This Microsoft Fixit may help.

Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows

- You could also check in device manager if the external hard drive is listed there.

a. Connect the external hard drive to the computer.
b. To open device manager, type devmgmt.msc in start search box and hit Enter.
c. Check if the external hard drive is listed.
d. In device manager, expand the hard drive listed in the device list.
e. If the hard drive is listed, right click on it > click Properties.
f. In General, under device status check for the message. Post back if there is any error message.

- Check if the external hard drive is getting detected in Disk Management. If it is and if there is no drive letter assigned, try assigning a drive letter and see if it helps.

Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7

_ Remove and reinstall all USB controllers.

a. Open device manager as above.
b. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
c. Right-click every device under the Universal Serial Bus controllers node, and then click Uninstall to remove them one at a time.
d. Restart the computer, and then reinstall the USB controllers. Restarting the computer should install the drivers automatically.
e. Plug in the removable USB storage device, and see if the issue is resolved.

Please post back if any of this helped or not.

It could be the drive itself, bad or going bad, or it could be the WD enclosure it is mounted in. These enclosures are known for going bad but the drives inside of them may still be good. Only way to tell is to take the drive out of the enclosure, it is just a normal hard drive, nothing special about it, and connect it to the system using a SATA to USB adapter. then you may be able to get your data off it or use it as is with that adapter.

Hi all, thanks for the replies! My harddisk is working now after I Removed and re-installed all USB controllers. Thanks for the help! Now I won't have to format my harddisk and lose all my data, thankyou thankyou thankyou

Glad to hear you got it fixed. Thanks for posting back!