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

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  1. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

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


    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!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Pro x86; Pro x64; Home Prem x64; and others....
       #2

    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.:)
    Last edited by joodoo; 25 Dec 2011 at 10:28. Reason: tippo
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 742
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
       #3

    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.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    joodoo said:
    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.

    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".

    Cheers - Happy Holidays.:)
    Thanks and happy holidays :)
    Last edited by tommythecat; 28 Dec 2011 at 00:55. Reason: The drive is listed in diskpart
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    rraod said:
    It helps if you can mention the make and capacity of the external HDD.
    Seagate FreeAgent Go 500GB

    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
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 475
    Windows 7 Pro x64 -- PCLinuxOS KDE4 FullMonty 2011
       #6

    Is there any data on it that needs recovering?

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


  7. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hipster Doofus said:
    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?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 475
    Windows 7 Pro x64 -- PCLinuxOS KDE4 FullMonty 2011
       #8

    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.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Pro x86; Pro x64; Home Prem x64; and others....
       #9

    tommythecat said:
    joodoo said:
    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 Win7 machine?
    Open Device Manager (Show hidden devices); is there any of these? or red marks showing?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Unable to initialize external HDD in Disk Management due to I/O error-dskprt.jpg  
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    joodoo said:
    tommythecat said:
    joodoo said:
    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

    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>

    Edit: has the drive been plugged into a different USB port on the Win7 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
      My Computer


 
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