External HDD Unable to Initialize


  1. GingerKidStudio
    Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       New #1

    External HDD Unable to Initialize


    So I recently performed a clean install of Windows 7 after dealing several times with Windows failing to start after any reboot. Since then however I haven't been able to get my SeaGate 2TB external drive to be recognized by Windows.

    I looked into Disk manager and saw this:



    Ooookay, well I know I have data I'd like to keep on there, so I figure I'll pop into Partitian Wizard and try to repair it there. However...



    It's not there, so I figure "fine, I'll just initialize it" however when I do THAT I get I/O Device Errors.

    Anyone have any idea what on earth to do here? I don't currently have room INSIDE my computer to add this device via SATA so I'd really like to keep it external if at all possible.

    Thanks
      My Computer
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  3. CKWD
    Posts : 408
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       New #2

    Hello GingerKidStudio!

    When Windows was failing did you have your external drive plugged in? If so, that could have damaged it.

    Showing as Unallocated (when obviously it's been used and copy-pasted to) means it's suddenly encountered an issue with the partition table or file system. Initializing it should work, but the error you're receiving means it's probably far too damaged to be repaired or Initialized.

    Change the cable and the port. Check in diskpart if the drive is there:

    1. Open the Start Menu, type diskpart, press Enter
    2. Type list disk, press Enter

    If it is, try to initialize it from there and/or reformat.

    Good luck!

    CK_WD
      My Computer
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  4. DJDJDJDJ
    Posts : 13
    Windows 7 64 bit - Server 2008 R2 (64bit)
       New #3

    Also, when you are in DiskPart, you can select the right disk and send Clean command. Note that you must select the correct disk or you may clean the currently select disk. Cleaning will clear all partitions etc. This will also destroy all existing data on the disk.

    HTH
      My Computer
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