WD MyBook Essential HDD not showing up in Win Explorer


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    WD MyBook Essential HDD not showing up in Win Explorer


    I have a 1TB HDD that I've been using for a few years now. It has a ton of pictures and files that I need!

    Today, when I connected it to the computer, it doesn't show up in Windows Explorer at all.

    In Disk Management, it shows as "Disk 1, Unknown, Not Initialized."
    In Devices & Printers, it shows up as "My Book," and when I right-click and select Troubleshoot, it returns the message "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem."
    I originally had Smart Ware installed with the device, and used it to backup many times. In Smart Ware, it showed the device as "No Writeable Partition Found."

    I downloaded the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic Tool from WD website, and after running the Quick and Extended tests, the results were shown as "PASS."

    I also downloaded EASUS & Mini Tool Partition Wizard, but the WD drive was not listed in their programs, so I could not attempt any recovery.

    When plugged in, the light in the front is blinking, but I can't really hear or feel any vibration / spinning. What can I do to recover my files? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 408
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #2

    Hello jem555!

    I'm sorry to hear about this problem!

    How long did both WD DLG tests take? It is important. Also, what happened the last time the drive was successfully used, something that may explain the situation and the problem?

    You say you've used WD SmartWare from the Essential, did you back up to it or from it?

    It seems for some reason the device has lost its partition table/file system, so despite it having data on it, it needs to be initialized in order for the PC to see it and access it. But by initializing the data will be erased.

    You could try the drive with another cable on a different system and try again with data recovery software or partition recovery software. Still, the best option would be professional data recovery, WD has partners in the field.

    WD official data recovery partners:
    Support Answers

    Good luck!

    CK_WD
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    CKWD said:
    Hello jem555!

    I'm sorry to hear about this problem!

    How long did both WD DLG tests take? It is important. Also, what happened the last time the drive was successfully used, something that may explain the situation and the problem?

    You say you've used WD SmartWare from the Essential, did you back up to it or from it?

    It seems for some reason the device has lost its partition table/file system, so despite it having data on it, it needs to be initialized in order for the PC to see it and access it. But by initializing the data will be erased.

    You could try the drive with another cable on a different system and try again with data recovery software or partition recovery software. Still, the best option would be professional data recovery, WD has partners in the field.

    WD official data recovery partners:
    Support Answers

    Good luck!

    CK_WD

    Thanks for your response. The Data Lifeguard Tools were both very quick- probably less than a minute each!

    I used SmartWare to back up files from my computer and also to restore files to my computer.

    Oh, last night I remembered an incident that may explain this situation. A few weeks ago, my daughter knocked the WD drive to the floor, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. Does this mean my data is most likely still there, but that some of the small mechanical components are misaligned now? Can data recovery take care of this? Any ballpark idea on how much a service like that costs?

    Thanks so much!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 408
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #4

    You're welcome! :)

    Like Jumanji always says, the tests, especially the Extended one, finishing so quickly, when supposed to take hours, mean false ones. The drive is damaged, the software can't quite indicate it, doesn't read/scan each sector, but reports it to “Pass”, while in actuality having scanned 0MB.

    This scenario with the pushed drive explains quite well what could be the reason for the issue. :/

    The data recovery specialists would tell you what is damaged and if the data can be restored. I would believe so, but it's on them to determine that. Each company would have their own criteria so just look through the list for the certain region you are in, and contact the certain companies for more information.

    Best of luck!

    CK_WD
      My Computer


 

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