Hi... I'm facing the same problem with my external USB HDD... WD 2TB... Not visible in Windows Exploror - Not initialised in Disk Manager, blank allocation column... MiniTools can't see it either... I tried reconnecting all cables, different ports, reinstall drivers... I just can't access it and it has too much data... it was my only backup... Please advise... tia
Jumanji is the disk guru. Ask him for help. https://www.sevenforums.com/members/jumanji.html
There is a similar post here WD reads uninitialized and unallocated
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WD 2TB ok. Model? Elements? My Book, Passport?, Passport ultra? Desktop unit with a power adapter? Portable?
For all practical purposes I would think your external drive is a goner. It does not even show the capacity in Windows Disk Management. Probable failure of the SATA to USB bridge electronics inside the enclosure.
If it is a Desktop Elements model using a 3.5" HDD, you can take the HDD out from the enclosure, make a direct connection to the SATA port on a desktop and try to recover the data. Any other model, the data is encrypted by the enclosure electronics and even if the HDD is OK you will get only the encrypted data wich is absolutely useless.
In the portable models also except the elements, Passport and Passport Ultra are encrypted. Even assuming that it is an Element, in the portables, the enclosure electronics is integrated into the HDD and therefore cannot be separated to try it out as an internal drive.(The HDD has no SATA connector)
NetResult: If it is a Desktop Elements you can take the HDD out and Try. Any other model you can't. You have to give it to WD Data Recovery partners to recover the data.
Last edited by jumanji; 31 Dec 2016 at 09:12.
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