Windows 7 - Unable to initialize external HDD in Disk Management due to I/O error

tommythecat · 12-25-2011

Hi All,

I've recently ran into an almost identical problem that was described (but not resolved) in this thread.

In my case, the drive worked perfectly with my system and only recently stopped appearing in My Computer. Also, my drive is still visible and accessible on Windows XP but is not visible on my Windows 7.

I'd be grateful for any useful advice how to restore the functionlity of this drive on Windows 7.

Please let me know if you require any additional information to help resolve this issue.

Thank you!

joodoo · 12-25-2011

Hello, tommythecat.
Is the external drive used much? Is it aging? Damaged (from moisture, shock [dropping] or misuse)?
If you can, back-up all the data to another HDD.
Connect the problematic HDD to the troublesome PC.
Open an administrative command prompt > type diskpart > type list disk.
Is the drive listed?

Cheers - Happy Holidays.

rraod · 12-25-2011

It helps if you can mention the make and capacity of the external HDD.

Western Digital models usually require WD SES driver on windows 7 and sometimes gives problems if the driver is not present.

Depending on your HDD model and make, check on the manufacturer's website whether the external HDD requires any OEM drivers. If so search, download and install the drivers and again try to access the drive.

tommythecat · 12-28-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by joodoo

Hello, tommythecat.
Is the external drive used much? Is it aging? Damaged (from moisture, shock [dropping] or misuse)?

No, it's not used much and it isn't aging. Also, it certainly wasn't damaged. As I wrote, if I connect it to a different PC, it works fine.

Quote:

If you can, back-up all the data to another HDD.
Connect the problematic HDD to the troublesome PC.
Open an administrative command prompt > type diskpart > type list disk.
Is the drive listed?

I just did that and the drive is listed there, although I don't see the drive in "My Computer".

Quote:

Cheers - Happy Holidays.

Thanks and happy holidays

tommythecat · 12-28-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by rraod

It helps if you can mention the make and capacity of the external HDD.

Seagate FreeAgent Go 500GB

Quote:

Western Digital models usually require WD SES driver on windows 7 and sometimes gives problems if the driver is not present.

Depending on your HDD model and make, check on the manufacturer's website whether the external HDD requires any OEM drivers. If so search, download and install the drivers and again try to access the drive.

I already did that, but:

1. This drive worked fine for a year now, so why suddenly install the drivers?
2. Installing the drivers still didn't help

Thank you

Hipster Doofus · 12-28-2011

Is there any data on it that needs recovering?

If not use the clean all option. Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

tommythecat · 12-28-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Hipster Doofus

Is there any data on it that needs recovering?

If not use the clean all option. Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

Unfortunately, yes -- there's data on the drive that needs recovering. Any recommended software for that?

Hipster Doofus · 12-28-2011

Copy the data over to xp. Do the diskpart, see if windows 7 see it then then copy the data back. That's the easiest way.

joodoo · 12-28-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by tommythecat

Quote: Originally Posted by joodoo

Open an administrative command prompt > type diskpart > type list disk.
Is the drive listed?

I just did that and the drive is listed there, although I don't see the drive in "My Computer".

What exactly is listed in diskpart for that particular drive?
Offline/online? (see pic)

If it shows in diskpart, try running Windows disk checker (Option 2 with the /F switch) with the intent to find/fix file system errors.
diskpart
list disk
select disk (#) > # = actual value the problematic disk
chkdisk /f

Edit: has the drive been plugged into a different USB port on the Windows 7 machine?
Open Device Manager (Show hidden devices); is there any of these?

or red marks showing?

tommythecat · 12-29-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by joodoo

Quote: Originally Posted by tommythecat

Quote: Originally Posted by joodoo

Open an administrative command prompt > type diskpart > type list disk.
Is the drive listed?

I just did that and the drive is listed there, although I don't see the drive in "My Computer".

What exactly is listed in diskpart for that particular drive?
Offline/online? (see pic)

It's listed as Online

Quote:

If it shows in diskpart, try running Windows disk checker (Option 2 with the /F switch) with the intent to find/fix file system errors.
diskpart
list disk
select disk (#) > # = actual value the problematic disk
chkdisk /f

I tried that and here's what I got:

DISKPART> select disk (3)
The disk you specified is not valid.
There is no disk selected.
DISKPART>

Quote:

Edit: has the drive been plugged into a different USB port on the Windows 7 machine?
Open Device Manager (Show hidden devices); is there any of these?

or red marks showing?

I enabled hidden devices but didn't see any devices with the yellow or red markings

Windows 7 - Unable to initialize external HDD in Disk Management due to I/O error

Unable to initialize external HDD in Disk Management due to I/O error problems?