Need to Recover Data from WD Passport External HD

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  1. Posts : 156
    Win 7, 32bit, Premium
    Thread Starter
       #41

    One of the options was to partition the drive. Someone stated above probably not good idea at this time. Not sure if there was another option.

    Not sure where drives came from. Probably automatically downloaded by Windows. One driver was for the Mass storage device (Passport) However, when this prob began, I checked and double checked drivers. Windows indicated they were current and no signs in Device Manager.

    Are you familiar with the Wizard Data Recovery ? If I use it and recover the files on the Passport, can the files be transferred to the C drive even though the Passport is not working correctly ?

    Signing off for the evening. Thanks !
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #42

    torre said:
    One of the options was to partition the drive. Someone stated above probably not good idea at this time. Not sure if there was another option.
    That was me recommending not to create a new partition. What Testdisk might've been telling you was that it found the partition that was deleted/missing. Then it should give you the option write the found partition to disk (and therefore correct the corrupted partition info currently on the disk). BUT...

    Before you actually write the corrected partition info to disk, it gives you a chance to see what it thinks is in that partition (use the up/down arrow keys to move the highlighted entries and the left/right keys to dig into the file structure and then move back out (it may also allow you to copy them somewhere else while you're in there -- watch how the menu changes when you get into the file structure). You can write the corrected partition info to disk after you've confirmed that the file structure looks correct.

    torre said:
    Are you familiar with the Wizard Data Recovery ? If I use it and recover the files on the Passport, can the files be transferred to the C drive even though the Passport is not working correctly ?
    No I'm not familiar with it. Is that from Western Digital? Or is that Partition Wizard Data Recovery? I think that has same 1GB limit mentioned earlier.
      My Computer

  3.    #43

    torre said:
    This is what the wizard looks like on my computer. I can find no options to change the drive letter ?

    I can't capture the right click, but as prev stated, assign a letter and check disk are grayed out.

    In that case click on Disk 2 to highlight it, run Partition Recovery Wizard from Wizards tab at top of page as shown in this video tutorial: http://partitionwizard.com/video-hel...ry-wizard.html

    See if it finds the partition intact to Recovery it in place.

    If not run File Recovery Wizard from same tab.
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  4. Posts : 156
    Win 7, 32bit, Premium
    Thread Starter
       #44

    Thanks, greg.

    For some unknown reason, after I ran Disk Check, Disk 2 is no longer recognized by the Partition Wizard. I intend on "exploring" more options later today and will update.

    Also, Passport is no longer recognized in Windows Disk Management.
      My Computer

  5.    #45

    You ran PW Surface Scan which is a weak HD diagnostics scan without much repair function. I was optimistic that you could actually run Check File System which you said you were running but apparently weren't - this can repair an external's file system if that is the problem.

    To try physically repairing the HD - as opposed to the File System which resides upon it - to where you can then Check File System use Test Disk, or install it with IDE or SATA cable to run maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

    Keep trying to get PW Home edition to recognize it to run Partition Recovery Wizard. Then try burning Partition Wizard bootable CD using Windows Image Burner or ImgBurn, boot it to try Recovery Wizard.

    Please pay closer attention to the actual instructions we're giving and ask questions if you don't understsand.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 10 Apr 2012 at 10:23.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 156
    Win 7, 32bit, Premium
    Thread Starter
       #46

    Thanks, will do. Will be a few hours before I have time, but will report results.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 156
    Win 7, 32bit, Premium
    Thread Starter
       #47

    I aborted the surface scan because of previous comments that surface scan prob not best route and length of time to run (5hrs)

    I downloaded and did run Disk Check without having a drive letter assigned. However, Disk Check reported nothing. Perhaps there was an error in running it.

    I burned a bootable CD from the HD Diagnostic site, but again the Passport is not recognized, just the C drive is recognized. Also, on the HD site the author states he has trouble running WD diagnostics and to try Seagate which I did, but still would not recognize.

    It seems I need to find a way for the computer to recognize the Passport before I can run diagnostic tools. It is no longer listed anywhere on my computer, Disk Management, etc.
      My Computer

  8.    #48

    A HD must be the only one plugged in internally to run the maker's HD diagnostics CD scan on it. Since you'd have to remove it from case I would instead try running Test Disk instead which can run on externals.

    What exactly did you download to run Disk Check? It is not known to run without a drive letter. This is important because if it did complete with no errors then your data should be intact, but PW shows Unallocated Space which will not Disk Check.

    I would confirm the HD using PW bootable CD which is often the final authority when Disk Management or the Home Version conflict.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 156
    Win 7, 32bit, Premium
    Thread Starter
       #49

    gregrocker said:

    What exactly did you download to run Disk Check? It is not known to run without a drive letter. This is important because if it did complete with no errors then your data should be intact, but PW shows Unallocated Space which will not Disk Check.

    .

    I downloaded Disk Check from their site and it ran, took about 1 hour. May have ran in error, but it did run

    In process of downloading PW bootable CD. Will report back this afternoon.
      My Computer

  10.    #50

    There is no Disk Check download.

    Click this link to see how Disk Check is run from within Windows or from the Command Line in System Recovery Options on Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk. It requires a drive letter.

    Check that the cables are plugged in tight as externals are notorious for having loose connections to their case. Is there a power light that lets you know it's truly powered up?
    Last edited by gregrocker; 10 Apr 2012 at 10:55.
      My Computer


 
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