Solved External HD wants to format

[Matosk]

I was able to copy the data to another hdd but when I'm trying to format my drive it doesn't let me. I looked at other topics in this forum but have not find a solution yet.
It shows me this when I try to format...

 

[jumanji]

Check whether you can delete and then format the volume with MiniTool Partition Wizard.

If running on Windows it does not do it, then download the bootable CD version, burn it to CD ( or create a bootable pen drive) boot from it and try to do it. (The bootable CD version runs on Linux)

You can also try formatting it with HP USB Disk Storage Format tool v 2.2.3 HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool Download - Softpedia
(Right Click on HPUSBDisk.exe and run as administrator)

 

[DavidE]

What is the difference between paragon rescue and the other recovery softwares like easeus.. etc?

Paragon rescue free creates a bootable cd or usb flash drive, so Windows isn't running.

 

[TechSeven]

ok ty davide

 

[Matosk]

Check whether you can delete and then format the volume with MiniTool Partition Wizard.

If running on Windows it does not do it, then download the bootable CD version, burn it to CD ( or create a bootable pen drive) boot from it and try to do it. (The bootable CD version runs on Linux)

You can also try formatting it with HP USB Disk Storage Format tool v 2.2.3 HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool Download - Softpedia
(Right Click on HPUSBDisk.exe and run as administrator)

Jumanji: I was able to delete and format the drive through the bootable CD version but I'm not able to read the disk in Windows now. I tried to plug to TV and nothing is ongoing, the drive is running though.
I tried to go to Ubuntu linux and wonder... I can read the drive and also I could copy some files on the drive, so this means it's ok but why I cannot open it in Windows? It's formatted as NTFS....
Many thanks for support

 

[DavidE]

Where can't you read the disk, Windows (file) Explorer, Disk Management, or both ?
Can you post a new screenshot of Windows Disk Management ?
Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

 

[Matosk]

In both the system is not showing them: screenshot below

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You might use Linux to see what's on the drive :/
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

 

[jumanji]

Jumanji: I was able to delete and format the drive through the bootable CD version but I'm not able to read the disk in Windows now. I tried to plug to TV and nothing is ongoing, the drive is running though.
I tried to go to Ubuntu linux and wonder... I can read the drive and also I could copy some files on the drive, so this means it's ok but why I cannot open it in Windows? It's formatted as NTFS....
Many thanks for support

That is strange.

Please run Partition Wizard from the bootable CD or pen drive again, and post a screenshot with that external drive connected. (OK, you have to post a camera shot)

 

[Matosk]

Jumanji: Finally I was able to correct the disk and now it's working!

Let me explain how I did it: With the Boot CD of Partition Wizard I had to use the method of safe boot or compatible boot but not normal boot. With normal boot the tool couldn't even read and show the drive.

1. I used safe boot and then I wiped out all partitions with 0's. This could on the 500GB disk approx. 5 hours. 2. Then I formatted the disk with NTFS and default format.
3. I reloaded the MBR on the disk.

That's it, when I booted normal Win7, no more error messages and the drive showed in the menu.

Many thanks for your support in this tricky case.

 

[jumanji]

Glad you got it sorted out.

I was waiting for your screenshot and after seeing that I would have advised a complete zero wipe for that is the only thing we had left out. And for that I was contemplating using WD Datalifeguard Diagnostics for DOS for it would also check your drive and then write zeroes. Perhaps we should have done that in the first instance after you had successfully recovered the data instead of going to Partition Wizard to delete/ format it. We are also learning our lessons.

Now that it works in Windows use Datalifeguard Diagnostics for Windows and run Short Test and Long tests. If nothing else, it should boost your confidence that everything is fine and help use the HDD without any worries of the past.

Happy ending to an interesting thread and well done.

EDIT: You may mark this thread as solved if you have nothing else to continue.