Cannot access my old SATA hard drive

bigmck · 10 Aug 2014

If you have a USB 3.0 drive, you can't run from a USB port. USB 3.0 does not start until the system is booted. Is yours USB 3.0?

me1246 · 10 Aug 2014

Mmm... just use any type of linux, it'll do the trick.
Yup, just drag after using linux, since Windows is an old stubborn dog.
Are you using a SATA to USB cable? Try to find a SATA to SATA cable in a desktop, since SATA to USB is not very effective and often meets many connection problems. Use a desktop to copy since the speeds would be faster and there won't be too many issues.

carwiz · 10 Aug 2014

I suspect since the drive was in another PC that it is bootable. AutoPlay will analyze the content to determine how to start but Windows won't let it boot.

Try this:
Click the Start Orb and type auto. Click on AutoPlay.
At the top of the screen is a check box that says "Use AutoPlay for all media and devices". Uncheck the box.

When you plug in the external drive, AutoPlay should not start and you should be able view the drive through File Explorer (Windows Explorer).

ICIT2LOL · 11 Aug 2014

Ok I am out as I cannot see any point in me suggesting anything.

The Ubuntu is the only thing I have ever had to use but good lucks again!!

carwiz · 11 Aug 2014

ICit2lol said:

Ok I am out as I cannot see any point in me suggesting anything.

The Ubuntu is the only thing I have ever had to use but good lucks again!!

??? Plenty of options mate.

I think it's AutoPlay causing the problem with the OP's new information.

nikkatnight · 11 Aug 2014

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried the Autoplay route but it did not work, sadly. Here's what happens, step by step.

1) I plug in external SATA hard drive via AC adapter to wall. It starts "whirring"
2) I plug it in via USB cable to computer
3) It shows up as a Recovery E drive
4) Green bar starts moving at top (see pic). Once it gets to the end, Recovery E drive disappears and the drive stops "whirring".
5) Sometimes Windows Explorer stops responding before the drive disappears.

Any other suggestions? Why doesn't it just work like my old Gateway IDE hard drive?

Cannot access my old SATA hard drive-cannotaccess1.png

Cannot access my old SATA hard drive-cannotaccess2.png

carwiz · 11 Aug 2014

I think John (ICit2lol) has the best fix. I suspect there's something on the disk that's disagreeing with Windows 7. Perhaps a corrupt file system or format. The Windows reserved folder names on the drive may be causing a problem too--Not sure.

I tried the AutoPlay disable on one of my externals and it just sat there until I opened WE and all was good. So John could have saved all of us some time.

Indianatone · 11 Aug 2014

A question for the OP, you said the drive is out of your old laptop? From the work the guys have done so far seems to me the drive from your old machine is toast and when it warms up and is accessed it basically dies and shuts off.
Your best option as far as I can see is to put the drive in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer overnight, get the drive out and connect it up like you have and either use a bootable Linux DVD or Windows to get files off a bit at a time. It may take you several days. Keep the drive as cool as possible. Good Luck.

ICIT2LOL · 11 Aug 2014

Well I was jumping ship but if you do take my fix as Carwiz says you wil be able to open that drive like any other. The reason being ids that you will be in the Ubuntu environment and not Windows. But once again the choice is yours - for the cost of a CD and making it what have you got to lose?

nikkatnight · 11 Aug 2014

ICit2lol,

We are now BFFs.

I guess I was just weary of downloading anything (new computer). Was hoping for that easy fix. I'm no computer wizard!

Ubuntu rocks. I had to look up how to save Ubuntu to a USB instead of CD (no blank ones lying around) and then I was good to go. I can access my files there. I am happy!!

Thank you so, so much!