External HDD suddenly requires formatting, read as RAW instead of ntfs

[flows69]

Auchan ??? Where do you live ?

 

[jumanji]

Auchan - 616 hypermarkets in 12 countries including India (8 cities). One near my home. Most evenings I walk down if I don't have much to carry. I knew you will be surprised.

 

[flows69]

It's just that I am so much used to seeing this in France that I was surprised to learn they went to India. Scan is 72% done, so far the different partitions found add up to 2TB.

 

[jumanji]

When the scan is complete, post a screenshot. If it shows up all 4TB, then complete it and let it rewrite the partition table. If not cancel it. ( I shall be able to see it only after ten hours from now, tom morning)

Next is PhotoRec. http://www.sevenforums.com/software/193467-guide-using-photorec-recovery-software.html

 

[jumanji]

Before I retire for the day, I just want to mention that when you run PhotoRec you should select EFI GPT as the partition table type instead of Intel. (just in case I am not here around my tomorrow morning when you need)

 

[Slartybart]

Popping in for a bit. Can't work any long term issues though... I'm losing my 'ISP' tomorrow.

Post #8 shows that the 4 TB are recongnized, but as a raw drive

For the duration of trobulshooting. please disconnect all other drives and
connect the Seagate directly to your machine, not to a docking station or hub - thanks.

Here's what I found over on Seagate:
1. Overview: Desktop HDD: 4TB Internal SATA Drive | Seagate

Go beyond 2TB with DiscWizard™ software
The sure way to obtain native access to hard drives bigger than 2TB is to adopt the new BIOS standard called UEFI.

If you are not ready for the new standard, Seagate provides an alternative. Free DiscWizard™ software from Seagate provides you a means to effectively utilise your 3TB and 4TB Seagate Desktop HDDs, even with Windows XP and using the standard PC BIOS. Get your free copy to go beyond 2TB today

This begs the questions:
:info: UEFI or std BIOS?
:info: Did you install the Seagate DiskWizard?
​

2. Data sheet: http://www.seagate.com/files/www-co...cs/desktop-hdd-data-sheet-ds1770-1-1212gb.pdf

3. Product Manual: http://www.seagate.com/files/staticfiles/support/docs/manual/desktop/Desktop%20HDD%20Gen%2015/100710254.pdf


Found on MS Technet:

• Windows and GPT FAQ
• Using GPT Drives
• Troubleshooting Disks and File Systems (Old but contains some GPT info towards the bottom of the page)

Sorry I won't be much help, don't want to start down a path and not be able to follow through.
This is the 2nd time this year my 'ISP' moved.


Bill

 

[flows69]

Hey,

I am unfortunately physically unable to connect my HDD directly to my computer, I am using a laptop and do not own a desktop. I am reading the links you sent me.

No worries, I really appreciate any help

 

[Slartybart]

I thought you had a docking station, sounds as though you have a HD enclosure... words get in the way of communicating!

The docs are really only for reference - read them if you're curious, but the solution isn't there. The information might lead to a solution though.

Bill

Hey,

I am unfortunately physically unable to connect my HDD directly to my computer, I am using a laptop and do not own a desktop. I am reading the links you sent me.

No worries, I really appreciate any help

​

 

[jumanji]

...Continue with the PRW scan.

EDIT: I don't know whether the Free Seagate DiskWizard software can help you in anyway. I had never dealt with more than 2 GB drives. So would call upon other experts and experienced users to pitch in and have a look at your problem. Otherwise I will go on with what I know and what I do not know. LOL.

Thanks Slarty for pitching in. I hope your ISP problem gets resolved soon. Cheers.

 

[jumanji]

@flows69,

Good that you are online. What is the status of PRW scan? Is it still running?

 

[flows69]

Hey,

The scan if over, the missing 2TB couldn't be recovered. I attached a screenshot.

Question: don't all the partitions add up to more than 2TB ? technically how could it be that suddenly 1.9 of the 4 platters disappear ?

Sorry I try to understand this stuff ... I learnt to use a computer but am not yet very good in understand the real functioning behind all of this.

@Slartybart in itself the HDD is not in an enclosure, it is just that I can only place 2.5" HDD inside my laptop

 

[flows69]

Also, on the advice of Slartybart I downloaded the Seagate version of the Partition Wizard, turns out it will only install if the HDD directly wired in the PC, USB can't work.

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks for your answers, although I didn't advise you to download the DiskWizard - I was only asking if you did. Your post I quoted does however answer the question asked; "No you did not previously download and install the Seagate DiskWizard"

Ok, so sometime tomorrow my connection will disapppear... good luck, you're in the best of hands.

Bill

Also, on the advice of Slartybart I downloaded the Seagate version of the Partition Wizard, turns out it will only install if the HDD directly wired in the PC, USB can't work.

 

[flows69]

Thanks for your help Bill

If I understand well, in my situation I am kind of forced to format. I'll just take some time to make sure I understand which software to use.

 

[jumanji]

In post #6, during the first run of Partition Recovery wizard, you had allowed it to delete the partitions - whatever those were. Most probably the GPT structure.

Now the Partition Recovery Wizard shows all the deleted partitions.

Select all the partitions and click on Finish. Please note that it will only undo the mistake you did and we will be back to the original condition as it was when you started this thread.

From thereon we can start afresh.

@Slarty, I wish you are able to continue. I know pretty well I am in an uncharted territory namely Recovery from a GPT drive but sure I am taking every precaution not to alter the original faulty condition and make it still worse. The above corrective action is to undo a mistake flows69 did due to some communication gap. What do you think of it?

 

[Slartybart]

No I don't think you're forced to format, yet. gGve Jumanji some time, he's very good. It might take a bit of time though.

He already offered another path in post# 24.

 

[jumanji]

@flows69,, go ahead Select all the partitions and click on Finish. When the action is completed post a screenshot of how your drive appears in Partition Wizard.

You will then try PhotoRec. PhotoRec does not write anything to the drive and is absolutely safe. There is noway you can do any mistake.

 

[Slartybart]

Don't sweat the GPT stuff too much, it has a MBR index reference (maybe the wrong terminology) so other disk utilities work. Just be careful using any direct disk editing tools - that's why I posted the reference pages.

Both PartWiz and TestDisk seem to know about GPT.
Testdisk forum, GPT search results: cgsecurity.org ? Search

@Slarty, I wish you are able to continue. I know pretty well I am in an uncharted territory namely Recovery from a GPT drive but sure I am taking every precaution not to alter the original faulty condition and make it still worse. The above corrective action is to undo a mistake flows69 did due to some communication gap. What do you think of it?

Yeah, I think it's worth a shot - see what PartWiz can repair.

Jumanji, I know, both of us worry about the data, but take your time and trust your knowledge - you have a sound understanding of the disk repair/recovery process.

Flow, please ask if you're uncertain. After a while it will become more natural and the trouble shooting will go much smoother.
​

Bill

 

[flows69]

You guys are great, thanks for the support. Alright before doing anything wrong, here is what I have right now. I can only check two of the partitions. Should I click finish anyway ?

I have no doubt Jumanji is more than competent to walk me through the recovery of my data. The only reason I was looking at other softwares is that I had stored on the HDD some files with very uncommon format. Mostly data sets which were created by specific statistical analysis programs. From what I understand I am not sure those could be recovered easily ...

 

[jumanji]

In your previous screenshot all the six partitions are unchecked. Four of them showing as boot say lost/deleted.

When you put checkmarks on the the first two, do all those four boots turn to show as overlapped?(That would mean we are unable to get back to the original condition) If it is so and you are unable to put checkmarks on those four, then cancel the operation.

Get on to PhotoRec .