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


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
       #1

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


    Hi all, I am hoping someone would be able to help me out on this problem. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.

    Problem:
    Windows detects my external HDD but doesn't show up in My Computer. Drive is detected in Disk Management, indicated as "not initialized". When I try to initialize the drive, it gives me the following error,

    "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error"


    What I've tried doing:
    • Do a clean instll of windows - Don't work
    • Uninstall external HDD driver, turned off power, turn it back on again, reinstalled driver - don't work
    • Tested the same external HDD on another Windows 7 system - No problems, detected and able to access
    • Tried plugging on different ports - Don't work



    After hours of searching through the web and reading forums, I realized that this is quite a commonly faced issue. Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 450
    Windows 7
       #2

    Control panel -> Administrative tools -> Event Viewer

    Click on the caret > next to WINDOWS LOGS. Then click on SYSTEM. There ought to be a traced event of some kind with a physical I/O error.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    JimLewandowski said:
    Control panel -> Administrative tools -> Event Viewer

    Click on the caret > next to WINDOWS LOGS. Then click on SYSTEM. There ought to be a traced event of some kind with a physical I/O error.
    Is there anything in particular that I should be looking for? If so what would be the next step I can take to solve this issue?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 450
    Windows 7
       #4

    dmario84 said:
    JimLewandowski said:
    Control panel -> Administrative tools -> Event Viewer

    Click on the caret > next to WINDOWS LOGS. Then click on SYSTEM. There ought to be a traced event of some kind with a physical I/O error.
    Is there anything in particular that I should be looking for? If so what would be the next step I can take to solve this issue?
    Since I've never ever experienced an I/O error and know of no one who has (except yourself), I would think if you click and open the events there, there ought to be something that addresses the I/O error.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    The only indication that I see is regarding USB controller. I've already tried updating the drivers but to no avail. I'm not sure if updating the BIOS would help.. I would only do that as a last resort
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #6

    Your first concern should be to back up any/all important data on your inaccessible external HDD.

    Since you said that the external HDD could be accessed on another Windows 7 system, I would suggest that you first copy all data in it to that system or any other external hard drive/storage media.

    With all data safely backed up, you can try the following process:

    Solution No. 1: Format your inaccessible external drive with HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 Download - EXTREME Overclocking Is your drive accessible now?

    Solution No.2 : Download and install the Minitools Partition Wizard Home edition. Best Free Partition Manager Freeware for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition. .Try Partition Recovery on your inaccessible external drive. ( You may also download the bootable CD version ISO, burn it to a CD/pendrive and boot from it to run the Partition Wizard to try the Partition Recovery).
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,114
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #7

    Also a screen shot of Disk Mgmt w/ the external HDD connected might give a clue whats not working.
      My Computer


 

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