Can't Access External Hard Drive/Former laptop Hard disk

[RobertN]

About a year ago my laptop hard drive stopped working. Got another one, but would still like to access the data on it. Don't know how. Have connected it to USB externally, but when I do that, two drives show up- E: and F:, and neither of them are accessible. Properties shows 0 bytes on both, and when I try to access disk management, it stalls and I never get any info to see what's going on. Any ideas please? Would like to access it all again without having to reformat and delete any data.

Thanks.

 

[looked]

About a year ago my laptop hard drive stopped working. Got another one, but would still like to access the data on it. Don't know how. Have connected it to USB externally, but when I do that, two drives show up- E: and F:, and neither of them are accessible. Properties shows 0 bytes on both, and when I try to access disk management, it stalls and I never get any info to see what's going on. Any ideas please? Would like to access it all again without having to reformat and delete any data.

Try to load one of these Linux based operative systems on cd-rom and see if they can access the drive.

 

[RobertN]

I don't know what that is, what you're referring to, or how to access it. Not very tech savvy. Sorry.

-Robert

 

[TrustMe]

Linux is an operating system the same as Windows. There are different versions of Linux such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint. You can make what is called a “live” version of Linux. This is when you use a DVD or USB flash drive and put the Linux operating system on either one of them. The operating system runs off the flash drive or dvd. No files are written to your hard drive. You boot from the dvd or usb flash drive and you will reach the Desktop, just like you do in Windows. When you Shutdown, there is no trace of it left behind.

If you are going to try Linux, I would make a live Linux usb flash drive. It will be a much smoother experience.

When you boot from the flash drive or dvd, you might be asked if you want to “Install Linux” or “Try” Linux. Make sure you select “Try”.

Here is one guide to make the live Linux usb flash drive. If you do a google search, you will find many others.

How to Create Ubuntu Live USB in Windows [Step-by-Step]

Just to get familiar with Ubuntu or Linux Mint, do a YouTube search of the either one. You will see how to use them. They are similar to Windows 7.

 

[looked]

I don't know what that is, what you're referring to, or how to access it

You need to download Linux Mint (it's the most common) and choose the "Cinnamon 64-bit edition" if your computer is 64 bit or choose the 32 bit installation https://linuxmint.com/download.php
You should have a burning program on your computer so you've to burn the downloaded file (.iso file) on a DVD or USB drive. To load the DVD or USB restart the computer and don't forget to change the settings in BIOS (press F8 or Esc, or F2 depending on the computer) so you have to set to load from optical drive (DVD) or USB drive, they have to be on the top of the list.

Once you load the DVD or USB Linux will start (it is not an installation) as a fully functioning operative system, from there you can try to access to the drives.

 

[Barman58]

About a year ago my laptop hard drive stopped working. Got another one, but would still like to access the data on it. Don't know how. Have connected it to USB externally, but when I do that, two drives show up- E: and F:, and neither of them are accessible. Properties shows 0 bytes on both, and when I try to access disk management, it stalls and I never get any info to see what's going on. Any ideas please? Would like to access it all again without having to reformat and delete any data.

Thanks.

Due to the way that NTFS works It's possibly due to permissions issue ( assuming you re-installed onto the new drive)

To get around this right click on the root of each partition in turn ( the drive letter level ) in File Explorer , click on security and either Take ownership of the whole partition or add your user name to the user permissions with full permissions

These tutorials may help with these tasks

Permissions - Allow or Deny Users and Groups - Windows 7 Help Forums

Take Ownership of file

Take Ownership Shortcut - Windows 7 Help Forums

   Note

As you said that this drive was failing before you changed it out there is also a chance that the files maybe lost completely without the skills of a professional Data recovery company, and may be even then

 

[Megahertz07]

Have connected it to USB externally, but when I do that, two drives show up- E: and F:, and neither of them are accessible. Properties shows 0 bytes on both, and when I try to access disk management, it stalls and I never get any info to see what's going on.

If you replaced the HDD because it wasn't working, It can be because the HDD is dead.
Open disk management, expand the columns, and with the sniping toll take a snapshot of the hole screen.
Post it here as an attachment. Use the paper clip - browse to the file - upload.

 

[RobertN]

I can't even open disk management. I just get the little blue circle that says it's working but it never opens. And for some reason, when I connect the external hard drive, it creates local disk E: AND local disk F:. The external drive seems to stall the functions on my computer.

 

[RobertN]

"To get around this right click on the root of each partition in turn ( the drive letter level ) in File Explorer , click on security and either Take ownership of the whole partition or add your user name to the user permissions with full permissions"

It won't open the tabs when I right-click. Yesterday for some reason it did, but security was not one of the tabs. Today it's just not cooperating at all.

 

[RobertN]

I can't figure out the prtscn function. Like I said, not savvy. But finally got computer management screen open, clicked disk management in left column. Nothing appears in the middle. Below it just says "Connecting to Virtual Disk Service..." but it just hangs there.

 

[RobertN]

"You should have a burning program on your computer so you've to burn the downloaded file (.iso file) on a DVD or USB drive. To load the DVD or USB restart the computer and don't forget to change the settings in BIOS (press F8 or Esc, or F2 depending on the computer) so you have to set to load from optical drive (DVD) or USB drive, they have to be on the top of the list."

Does the USB have to be totally blank? I have a few but they have data on them.

 

[RobertN]

E: finally opened after right-click, but only tabs shown are general, tools, hardware, previous versions, and customize.

 

[Barman58]

There are 3rd party free alternatives to the disk manger the one I prefer is the free partition wizard a quick Google should find a download link - see if that can give more info

 

[RobertN]

"There are 3rd party free alternatives to the disk manger the one I prefer is the free partition wizard a quick Google should find a download link - see if that can give more info"

Hopefully this works and helps? I'm even an idiot when it comes to screen shots, and have split monitors, so that made it even more confusing. Thanks for your patience.

 

[Megahertz07]

Don't try to fix it.
Jumanji is the disk guru. Wait for his help.

 

[RobertN]

Don't try to fix it.
Jumanji is the disk guru. Wait for his help.

Ok. Will wait. Thank you.

-Robert

 

[jumanji]

jumanji stumped ! The HDD looks like a strange out-of-the-world beast .

Hi RobertN,

What USB device are you using to connect the old laptop HDD? Is it an enclosure or SATA to USB adapter? Does it work with other HDDs ? Any such interface should be cleared first.

Please read the label on the laptop HDD and post all details like manufacturer, Model Number and capacity. If possible capture a photo-shot and post it.

The first thing I would advise is to run the Manufacturer's Diagnostic/Repair utility and check its health. If it fails the tests, it is dead and there is no point in pursuing further.

 

[RobertN]

jumanji stumped ! The HDD looks like a strange out-of-the-world beast .

Hi RobertN,

What USB device are you using to connect the old laptop HDD? Is it an enclosure or SATA to USB adapter? Does it work with other HDDs ? Any such interface should be cleared first.

Please read the label on the laptop HDD and post all details like manufacturer, Model Number and capacity. If possible capture a photo-shot and post it.

The first thing I would advise is to run the Manufacturer's Diagnostic/Repair utility and check its health. If it fails the tests, it is dead and there is no point in pursuing further.

I already have a laptop with a newer internal HDD installed. I'm assuming you're referring to the external damaged one then? It's a Momentus 7200.4 500 GB.

The USB device is not an enclosure but a Kingwin USB to SATA Adapter for 2.5 SSD & SATA HDD,

Model #ADP-07.


How could it have just "died?" I'm pretty sure I never made the error of formatting it, and there is data I'd like to recover.


Not sure how to run the manufacturer's diagnostic.

Attached is a pic as you requested. Help would be appreciated. Thank you.
​

 

[jumanji]

Seagate Momentus!

OK I got the tail of the beast but unfortunately I don't think I shall be able to tame it.

Momentus is a hybrid HDD , part memory chips and rest platters. Currently your HDD is able to read only the memory chips 1.5GB - I was wondering why only 1.5GB was being shown - but not reading the rest that is in the physical platters. This, to me, appears to be an electronic failure - the one that links the memory portion to the platter memory for seamless continuity. ( Electronics may fail anytime. A momentary high power surge can kill it instantaneously. Components can fail anytime)

In this condition no DIY data recovery is possible. But take heart. If the electronic portion is changed, you may perhaps be able to access the HDD as before.

Note: If you feel the drive spinning and there is no clicking sound, the physical mechanical HDD by itself may be OK.

That is my assessment.

You may contact Seagate Technical Support and discuss the issue and they may be able to guide you further and better. If they think your HDD can be restored they will most probably redirect you to their approved Service agency/data recovery partners to do the repairs/recovery depending upon their assessment whether it is a electronics failure or mechanical failure.

 

[RobertN]

Seagate Momentus!

OK I got the tail of the beast but unfortunately I don't think I shall be able to tame it.

Momentus is a hybrid HDD , part memory chips and rest platters. Currently your HDD is able to read only the memory chips 1.5GB - I was wondering why only 1.5GB was being shown - but not reading the rest that is in the physical platters. This, to me, appears to be an electronic failure - the one that links the memory portion to the platter memory for seamless continuity. ( Electronics may fail anytime. A momentary high power surge can kill it instantaneously. Components can fail anytime)

In this condition no DIY data recovery is possible. But take heart. If the electronic portion is changed, you may perhaps be able to access the HDD as before.

Note: If you feel the drive spinning and there is no clicking sound, the physical mechanical HDD by itself may be OK.

That is my assessment.

You may contact Seagate Technical Support and discuss the issue and they may be able to guide you further and better. If they think your HDD can be restored they will most probably redirect you to their approved Service agency/data recovery partners to do the repairs/recovery depending upon their assessment whether it is a electronics failure or mechanical failure.

I went to the Seagate website and downloaded their SeaTools diagnostic program, however it only detected my internal Western Digital Drive, not my externally connected Seagate. I've e-mailed tech support and opened a service ticket. Hopefully they get back to me and can help. Thanks.