disk 1 is unknown, not initialized, unallocated

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  1. Posts : 48
    window 7
       #1

    disk 1 is unknown, not initialized, unallocated


    Hi

    I have the same problem. when i plug in the drive, it says that its succesfully installed however it does not appear in "my computer". also when i go into system tools it says that disk 1 is unknown, not initialized, unallocated

    can you please help me, i dont want to lose my data, it contain all my pics. please help
    Last edited by Brink; 03 May 2013 at 11:41. Reason: Moved to new thread of it's own
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Jenny, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    What type of drive is it, and how is it being connected?

    Please go ahead and post a screenshot showing the full layout of your Disk Management window to see if that may help ID what the issue could be. :)

    Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #3

    Yep, I would also like to see the picture.

    I think that this was moved out of another similar thread and rightly so, since in that case it showed only Unknown and not initialised. The similarity ends there. The right side of the disk did not show anything - neither the disk capacity nor the status (like unallocated) ( Also it was dropped and so a physical damage was suspected)

    In your case I am sure the Disk Management will show the disk capacity, and also that it is unallocated.( you said so. :)) Since you also said it was plugged in I presume it is an external drive.

    Since it is almost time for me to retire for the day, I shall post this without waiting for the screenshot.

    Download and install MiniTools Partition Wizard Home Edition 7.8 (14 MB) from Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online

    Edit: 04 Sep 2015- MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition is now MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition. So download the Free Edition found on that page. The version on date is 9.1 (30.49MB).

    Recovery with Partition Wizard:
    Run Partition Wizard 7.

    Your disk1 may be shown as “unallocated” and without a drive letter.



    Click on Partition Recovery Wizard and Next.

    In the Partition Recovery Wizard screen, select the drive to be recovered and click on Next.

    Select Full Disk, and then Next.

    Select Quick Scan, Next

    If the partition is found select and double click on it. Does the Partition Explorer show all the files?


    Close the Partition Explorer and click on Finish.

    The Main Screen will show the restored Drive but may be without a drive letter.



    Right click on the drive, click on Change letter and give a drive letter.

    Click on Apply to execute the two pending operations.

    The partition is restored and your drive will be functional as before and you can access the files and folders.
    Last edited by jumanji; 04 Sep 2015 at 10:07.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 48
    window 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    It's a external USB drive, I try reconnecting it thru the back and it still does the same. How do I put up a screen shot?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails disk 1 is unknown, not initialized, unallocated-image.jpg  
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 48
    window 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Also, since it says that there is 2 something gb, does that mean my data still there? pleassseeee help me. All my baby pics are in it
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    Jenny,

    While in Disk Management, right click on the actual "Disk 1" box just to the left of where it says "2047.35 GB Unallocated" in the middle pane at the bottom, then click/tap on initialize or online.

    The drive is unallocated, so that means that there's currently nothing on it.


    If there was something on the unallocated disk that you wanted to try and recover, then follow the steps that Jumanji posted above to recover the disk.

    If there's not anything you wanted on it, then you could just create a "new simple volume" to format and assign a drive letter to the disk.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 48
    window 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It's not allowing me to initialize. There is stuff in there I want.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 48
    window 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Will Initializing the drive delete the data?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #9

    In that case, go ahead and see if the steps Jumanji posted may allow you to recover the data on the drive.

    How was the drive originally formatted as, and on what OS?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #10

    Hi jenny123,

    How to post a screen capture: Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image You will use Windows Snipping Tool for all screen captures.

    You probably removed the external drive while it was still writing something on it or some other event like an abrupt power loss interrupted the writing process. This has the potential to corrupt the partition table in the first sector and as a result Windows will be unable to see the file system. Hence it may say the drive is unallocated or RAW. All your data is still there and can be recovered by restoring the partition table in the first sector of the drive. If you try to initialise, Windows may ask you to format the drive. You will lose all data if you format. So DO NOT INITIALISE. DO NOT FORMAT.

    Just follow the procedure I had outlined in post#3. If Partition Recovery is successful, Partition Wizard will rewrite the partition table in the first sector and then you will be able to access all the data as before.

    You may also see the procedure outlined here Recover a flash drive turned RAW – Partition Wizard and TestDisk. under the heading Recovery with Partition Wizard: SanDisk Cruzer Blade 16GB. Perhaps it will be easier for you to scroll through the screenshots there.( For the time being, do not deviate and do not try to use Test Disk which requires caution in using.)

    If you have any problems in understanding or using the procedure, stop and do not hesitate to ask
    before proceeding.
      My Computer


 
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