Can't access my HDD

meebers · 01 Mar 2015

I removed a 250GB WD HDD from my swann DVR and installed a larger drive. I planned to reuse the 250GB drive, but cannot get the drive recognized by my windows 7/8.1/10 machine. Drive manager says it needs to be initialized, but when I do, it says it does not recognize the format and initialization fails. Cannot write a new MBR. No format, partition options are available. Thinking the DVR formating caused this. It worked as expected while in the DVR.

Would appreciate suggestions here.Tx

TechpumpkinWD · 02 Mar 2015

Hello meebers,
You can use WD DLG to perform a full write zeros on the drive. This will wipe the HDD back to out of the factory settings. If the problem is caused from formatting this should help. You can also use it to check the HDD health with the Quick and Full tests that are available. Download it here: Support Answers

Hope that helps.

Mark Phelps · 02 Mar 2015

DVRs typically encrypt their drives to ensure that you can not copy saved video off the drive. When you try to read this drive from any other unit, including the same model DVR but a different box, it will not be able to read it.

You might have to do a low-level format to reset the drive.

jumanji · 02 Mar 2015

You can try Diskpart cleanall Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command which will write zeros to all sectors (low level formatting)

If it does not do the job you can download HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool Windows Executable (works without installation) ver4.40 HDDGURU: HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool and run a full Low level format.

A 250GB drive may take about three hours.

Always exercise care and caution in selecting the right drive for zeroing. Easy to make mistakes which will be irreversible.

After a low level format you have to do a regular format. ( You can also use the WD DatalifeGuard Diagnostics for Windows to write zeros.)

My first choice will be HDD Guru's HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool.

(Most DVRs use their own proprietory file system/media format not readable with any other machine. We have had cases where users wanted to recover the recordings on good HDDs on failed DVRs which had been discontinued. That was simply not possible. )

meebers · 02 Mar 2015

Thanks for those tips. Will probably try this tomorrow after I disconnect all my other drives :)

meebers · 04 Mar 2015

Thanks guys, that worked, now have my HDD back.

jumanji · 04 Mar 2015

Glad that your problem is resolved though we do not know which one you used Diskpart Clean all? Low level format tool? WD DLG diagnostic? (anything would have worked I presume :) )

meebers · 05 Mar 2015

I used the HDD Guru's HDD LLF and put it on my "recovery" flash drive for future use.

I also asked Swann about how to solve this problem, it took a couple of days and they answered that they do not get involved with problems like that.