Hard drive installed, shows in Drive Mngmnt, in Bios, but not in Comp.

[gregrocker]

The EFI partition says it's FAT32, is that proper?

Yes. EFI System partition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The PW Surface test is available on the right click context menu and an able scan of the HD condition. However since the partition type may need to be adjusted I would wait for jumanji, Ahmad or SIW2 who are skilled in these most advanced operations to advise before doing anything further.

 

[Britton30]

Thanks Greg, I found this interesting too.

Both GPT and MBR-partitioned disks can contain an EFI System partition, as UEFI firmwares are required to support both partitioning schemes.

 

[gregrocker]

I haven't yet seen a UEFI install to an MBR disk. It gives the error we see a lot "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks."

 

[Slartybart]

Regarding WD Data Life Guard
I tried to run WD Data Lifeguard (from a bootable DOS Usb drive). But when i ran to the program, it would not run because of an error stating that no WD drive was detected.

I rebooted into Windows and ran the Windows version. I ran a Quick test which gave a "Pass" result I will later do an extended test.

As for trying the drive, I had mentioned before, but this thing is getting long. I have tried this drive on multiple computers via USB. I have also tried the same drive, unscrewed from the external case, and installing it internally to my desktop. All yield the same result.

On Drive History
I have had this drive for several years (to the point that I'm not exactly sure when I got it). As far as I remember, I have only used it as a drive for storing large files, like photos/music/videos. I do build my own desktops, so I have swapped drives before. However, this drive was purchased as an external drive. (the model number on the outside of the external drive enclosure is WD6400EB035-01).

Also, I never used any external hard drives for the purpose of booting different OS. I have used USB flash drives to boot dos or android... or to install linux on a different laptop. So, unless there is part of my memory blocked or just plain forgotten, this drive has not been used for booting into any other OS.

I apologize if there are thing I keep not thinking to include. Thanks for the patience in asking further questions.

On File Recovery
As far as drives are concerned, I have others. So, if it comes to it, if I can recover the files, I'm happy.

Thanks for the update - don't know why DOS WDLG didn't recognize the drive WIN WDLG did.
Sorry I missed the other machine tests, thanks for repeating the information.

Good recap

We'll wait for Anshad an jumanji to come on "shift" - they're on the other side of the globe. The long test should be done by the time they log on.

I'll catch up in the morning.

Bill
.

 

[jumanji]

Things are more or less clear now.

1. The OP does not have any special "media device" as such and that he had been using the drive on Windows machines only.

2. Anshad says Partition Wizard will show a mac partition as HFS. I don't know but that is no reason not to believe. I believe he knows better.

3. Now, we know that only some photos the OP/his wife had put in are not there anywhere else and he would like to get those back.

In the light of these how the drive took on the color of a GPT drive or any attempt to rejig the partitions would take a back seat.

PhotoRec would be my answer to recover photos from his drive without reference to the file system on the drive. But I shall wait for Anshad's view and whether he would suggest any alternative procedure.

 

[Anshad Edavana]

I did some practical tests and seems that i was wrong about PW. It failed to identify a sample HFS+ volume created by me. Also other popular partitioning tools like "Partition Assistant" and "PartitionGuru" also failed. In my tests, only partitioning tools which can identify HFS+ are Linux "Gparted" and CLI based "fdisk".

To make sure whether the partition is a HFS+ one or not, i would recommend installing the trial version of "MacDrive".

MacDrive

If the partition is formatted as HFS, installing "MacDrive" will let Windows to identify it. If installing MacDrive doesn't helps, i would recommend inspecting the disk using "Gparted" ( there is not a single file system on earth which can't be identified by Gparted). If "Gparted" also fails to identify the file system, we may need to recover the data using "Photorec" or similar software.

Let me know the result after installing "MacDrive" and then we can proceed to the next step.

 

[SIW2]

I would have a look with pguru.


I doubt it is hfs , but for future reference:

Paragon Partition Manager Free Edition - Full Features & System Requirements

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Good suggestion SIW2 . "Paragon Partition Manager" will be easier to use than "Gparted" boot disc.

 

[jumanji]

That was a good experiment Anshad. Now we know what doesn't show HFS.

So, back to installing MacDrive and trying to read the drive. If it reads we will also know what is in it.

 

[Britton30]

Curious Anshad, why are you obsessed with this being a Mac drive?

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Curious Anshad, why are you obsessed with this being a Mac drive?

Only thing i know for sure is that the partition is neither NTFS nor Linux Ext4. If it is either one of them, PW won't have any issues detecting the file system ID. Only major file system PW is not aware of is Apple HFS+ ( probably BSD file system too ). So there is still a minor chance for the file system to be formatted as HFS+. If not, i hope either "Gparted" or "Paragon" will be able to detect this rogue partition.

 

[Dumhed]

Okay, maybe here is some more info... or maybe the mystery deepens...

The WD long test came up with no problems. I downloaded and ran the Paragon Partition Manager. To my surprise (and anger, if the house sitter messed with my stuff... I haven't called to ask yet), the partition is listed as Apple HFS.

I downloaded Macdrive to attempt to access the drive. And... when I click on "Access Mac Disks" and the link to view Mac Disks... well.. the drive does not show. Just to see if it would show, I clicked on repair damaged disk, there were no mac disks. Instead it said "connect a Mac disk."

Anyway, regardless of how it goes this way... I'd just like to retrieve the files... if they are even still there.

 

[Anshad Edavana]

I can only assume what happened but i think somebody messed with your disk while you are away from it - probably connected to a Mac and partitioned it - is there somebody in your office who has a Mac machine ?.

One more test to do - Uninstall "MacDrive" completely and install "Paragon HFS+" from the below link.

HFS for Windows - file system driver | PARAGON Software Group

Let us know whether it can access the partition.

 

[jumanji]

Please carry on with what Anshad suggests.

Finally I think it is going to be PhotoRec and then GetDataBack and IMO its gonna be a desperate attempt to cling on to what we think can perhaps do the job in an unusual disk condition.

 

[Slartybart]

This won't help much because you don't have a Mac, but I would contact WD, explain what you know and see if they can provide direction.

What do you know:

• Drive was originally used for some years on Windows only
• Drive was possibly/probably attached to a Mac (version unknown) while on vacation
• Windows Disk manager shows
  • 200 MB (EFI System Partition)
  • 595.89 GB (Primary Partition)
  • 128 MB Unallocated
• Macdrive utility could not mount the drive
• Paragon Partition Manager identified partitions as Apple HFS
• Using Paragon HFS+ for Windows to try and recover the data

This shouldn't derail the efforts here, but it should be considered as another resource.

External Drives for Mac Experiencing Data Loss wit... - WD Community

External Drives for Mac Experiencing Data Loss with Maverick OS -- UPDATED FOR NOVEMBER 6, 2013 [Edited].
10-30-2013 07:05 PM - edited ‎11-06-2013 01:55 PM
--- Updated November 6, 2013 ---

On October 30th, 2013 Western Digital informed registered customers of affected products via E-mail regarding reports of Western Digital and other external HDD products experiencing data loss when updating to OS X Mavericks (10.9). Our investigation to date has found that for a small percentage of customers that have the WD Drive Manager, WD Raid Manager and/or WD SmartWare software applications installed on their Mac, there can be cases of a repartition and reformat of their Direct Attached Storage (DAS) devices without customer acknowledgement which can result in data loss.

WD has been tracking this issue closely through our WD Forum and through our Technical Support hotline and the occurrence rate of this event has been very low. A specific set of conditions and timing sequences between the OS and the WD software utilities has to occur to cause this issue. Should this event occur, the data on the product can likely be recovered with a third party software utility if the customer stops using the device immediately after the OS X Mavericks (10.9) upgrade. WD will be issuing updated versions of these software applications that resolve this issue.

WD strongly urges our customers to uninstall these software applications before updating to OS X Mavericks (10.9), or delay upgrading until we provide an update to the applications. If you have already upgraded to Mavericks, WD recommends that you remove these applications and restart your computer. If you have already upgraded to Mavericks and are experiencing difficulty in accessing your external hard drive, please do not save anything to the drive, disconnect the drive from your computer, and contact Western Digital Customer Service at Contact Us.

 

[Anshad Edavana]

This won't help much because you don't have a Mac, but I would contact WD, explain what you know and see if they can provide direction.

Bill, i don't think WD can he of any help here. the article you pointed - External Drives for Mac Experiencing Data Loss wit... - WD Community - discuss a bug in Mac which caused data loss. In this case, i don't think the data loss is caused by any bugs because -

1. This disk was sold as a Windows compatible one so virtually zero chance for a GPT partition table by default. Even today, all Windows certified disks which are up to 2 TB in size are typically MBR partitioned.

2. Plugging a MBR disk to a MAC machine won't cause it to be automatically partitioned as a GPT disk.

So unless somebody deliberately re-partitioned the disk as GPT by using "Disk utility" on a Mac machine, a HFS volume won't appear on the disk.

At this point, this is only my assumptions/theory based on some educated guesses. OP should find the truth from his sister or co-workers.

@Dumhed

Ask them nicely if you want to know what really happened.

 

[Dumhed]

K, I'll try to get to the bottom of this. It is a holiday weekend now, so I'll be traveling again with the fam to see relatives... won't be able to get back to this for a couple of days. So, I'll update when I get a chance. Thanks everyone for all the help and suggestions.

 

[Britton30]

On October 30th, 2013 Western Digital informed registered customers of affected products via E-mail regarding reports of Western Digital and other external HDD products experiencing data loss when updating to OS X Mavericks (10.9). Our investigation to date has found that for a small percentage of customers that have the WD Drive Manager, WD Raid Manager and/or WD SmartWare software applications installed on their Mac, there can be cases of a repartition and reformat of their Direct Attached Storage (DAS) devices without customer acknowledgement which can result in data loss.

Possibly if the drive was plugged into a Mac meeting the above situation.

 

[gregrocker]

Until it was confirmed Apple partition type I suspected Windows To Go. Does Apple have a portable install which uses EFI system partition?

I can see how someone might experiment with an extra external they found in a drawer, not so much installing it internally.

Would really like to see any OS files found on it.

 

[Slartybart]

Until it was confirmed Apple partition type I suspected Windows To Go. Does Apple have a portable install which uses EFI system partition?

I can see how someone might experiment with an extra external they found in a drawer, not so much installing it internally.

Would really like to see any OS files found on it.

Greg,

As far as I can tell, the EFI partition on Macs are initially empty and later used for firmware updates.
They can be removed on Macs and still boot, but updates will no longer work.

EFI System partition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apple–Intel[edit]On Apple–Intel architecture Macintosh computers, the EFI partition is initially blank and not used for booting.[9] However, the EFI partition is used as a staging area for firmware updates;[10] specifically, it places a firmware flash utility (EFI binary) and data file (FD – "Firmware Device"[11]) in the directory EFI/APPLE/FIRMWARE which is then run when rebooting the system in "flash firmware" mode.[12]

If deleted, the system will still boot, and the boot manager will still allow users to choose whether to start a Boot Camp partition or the default Mac OS X, but firmware updates will fail.

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apple uses EFI for its line of Intel-based Macs. Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger and Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard implement EFI v1.10 in 32-bit mode even on newer 64-bit CPUs, but full support arrived with Mac OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion.[70]

Anshad, jumanji and I are discussing the options.