Solved Harddisk appears as local disk

[ICIT2LOL]

Bill just noticed on the list Hitman Pro I wonder if it has been let loose for a search?

The other thing I noticed too was you mentioned some Apple items.

Now I don't know again I am no expert most of the simple fixes I get are due to a lot of rubbish downloaded linked to Apple - not that I am saying stoleaway is downloading rubbish but as you know Apple stuff is heavily targeted by sneakyware:huh:

 

[stoleaway]

Norton didn't came with my com, should I continue to uninstall it?

My computer looks like this now hmm

What is system protection? How do I check it?

I dont' think I did any backup/ mirroring.

 

[stoleaway]

and the error for WPＤ　ｉｓ　＂This device cannot start. (Code 10)＂

 

[Slartybart]

John: Don't know Hitman Pro, what list do you see it on?

stoleaway: Need a disk management image

Norton - if you have the disks or the key from purchase - uninstall, run the Norton cleanup and install MSE. Norton is very aggressive and can interfere with Windows when it does it's job. Tinkering around with Norton configuration is time consuming, reading the Norton logs and finding if Norton locked a service or application is time consuming. Both of these should be done with Norton support and it's well.... time consuming. The easiest thing is to move it completely out of the way by uninstalling and running the Norton cleanup utility.

This is of course your decision, you apparently have a paid subscription for Norton and to not use it is a waste of money.

System Protection - Computer properties->system protection (text link on left side of window) - post a screen shot showing the automatic restore points list (drives with checkboxes)

WPD - don't worry 'bout that, it's related to the card reader. I'm going to ask you to nuke the ghosts and WPD after you complete the current tasks. This is a critical stage of the USB cleanup and we're going to have to proceed carefully to avoid having to repeat steps. Not as dire as it sounds, just a pain having to do it over. Basically, when we get there, you have to remove all attached devices, clean up the ghost devices (and WPD), rebuild the USB cache, and- this is the critical part - attach one working USB device, not the Seagate. You'll end up with a few "new" issues that need to be addressed (most likely the card reader again) and all of your USB devices will install their respective drivers when you plug them in (camera, printer, HD drives, flash drives, etc). This is because we told Windows to forget about them.

Prep for Seagate drive resolution - download the following:
The first two tools will tell you more about your drive, the third tool will hopefully fix it, if not there are other repair tools and data recovery only tools. When we get to this point, you'll have to decide what you want to do - keep trying to repair the drive or get as much data off it as possible, then RMA under warranty.
Note: Seagate claims that 20% of returned drives are ok. just a note. What they don't say is that it's your time to figure that out =:>


SeaTools for windows
--> Howto: How to use SeaTools for Windows


CrystalDiskInfo 5.0.5
--> I'll see if there's a tutorial on this, just download it for now.


Testdisk - stable release 6.13
--> Howto: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/190430-regain-lost-drive-using-test-disk-illustrated-guide.html

As always, thanks for everything on your side of my monitor

Bill
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[Slartybart]

When / if you uninstall Norton, make sure that Windows firewall is turned back on.

 

[Slartybart]

Once I see the System Restore screen shot
here's the plan

turn off monitoring for all devices, EXCEPT C:
manually create a restore point - "1211xx PreGhost Device cleanup" (name suggestion)
disconnect all USB devices

In Device Manager: show hidden
uninstall all Ghost devices
uninstall WPD
exit

In Windows explorer
navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Driverstore
ren InfCache.1 InfCache_1.old
--> if you have permission problems, right click the file, select properties, select security tab, click edit, click add, add the object Administrators and give them full access
connect your WD ext drive (only the WD drive, not the Seagate)
restart your machine

Put an SD card in the card reader and post a Disk Management screen shot.
If the card reader doesn't have a drive letter - assign it one now.

check Device manager for ghost or problem devices
WPD might have a warning if you couldn't assign a drive letter or the driver needs to be installed manually - don't worry about that now.

The next thing you'll try is Testdisk. Yeah!
Disconnect the WD and remove the SD card

I'll wait until you catch up. I guess your work is keeping you busy.

Bill
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[stoleaway]

system protection is this?

disk mgmt :

okay, dl-ed the 3 stuffs (do i need to do anything now?)

going to uninstall norton & stuffs now.

turn off monitoring for all devices - how do i do this?

 

[Slartybart]

Great, thanks.

Seatools and CrustalInfo - install both utilities
Testdisk - open the zip folder using Windows explorer and extract all files to a new folder (testdisk-6.13), no install required.

Ok on Norton

System protection is only monitoring the C: drive, so you don't have to change anything.
However, you need to create a restore point (RP) before you nuke the ghost devices. This gives you the means to restore your system to the point and time of creating the SP. Only system files and the registry are turned back in time. I don't think you'll need to use it, it's a precautionary measure only.

Follow the instructions in post# 126 and you'll be ready to begin using the disk tools. I'm going to skip the analysis tools (SeaTools & CrystalDiskInfo) for now and go straight to the recovery tool (Testdisk).

After you have completed all of the steps in 126, connect the ext Seagate. Report the status - drive miracurously works or still a bugger. I expect it to still be a problem.

This is going to be tedious because of the condition of the drive - slow.
Follow these instructions in
Regain a lost drive using Test Disk - An Illustrated Guide

Notes: Run Testdisk as administrator,
post an image of step 10, and
make sure you select the Seagate drive

Since the Seagate responds poorly, you might want to give Testdisk LOTS of time to analyze that drive. I don't know if it will be quick or take time, I'm only saying that you shouldn't be surprised if Testdisk appears to hang - it might take overnight to get to the point where you can then write disk info.

When Testdisk gets to the write phase - do it, and complete the tutorial.

Backup your data if the drive is recovered. Otherwise, we'll use other tools to try and get your data.

Bill
.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya Bill just as well the Norton went (not a great fan anyway) but did find it is being hacked by Anonymous as per this article in my News post

http://www.sevenforums.com/news/262752-never-dull-moment.html#post2166184

 

[F5ing]

Be very careful with your keyboard while using Testdisk. Very useful app, and powerful, but it responds to hotkeys and the arrow keys make changes in some modes. Watch your screen to see when the arrow keys might be active for changes rather than cursor movement.

Even if Testdisk is unsuccessful in recovering your MBR/partitions it can be used to find deleted files to copy them out to other media.

Regarding CrystalDisk, if you download the portable version you can just unzip and run it. Normally it recognizes/reads attached drives almost immediately after launch -- in your case it might not be so quick.

Since the Seagate responds poorly, you might want to give Testdisk LOTS of time to analyze that drive. I don't know if it will be quick or take time, I'm only saying that you shouldn't be surprised if Testdisk appears to hang - it might take overnight to get to the point where you can then write disk info.

The good thing here is that Testdisk gives you a sector by sector report on its progress...

The bad news is that if you're really anxious you'll be tempted to just sit there and watch it rather than go do something else with your life while it does its job.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hey F5ing that Testdisk I ran a Google and if stoleaway is interested this YT vid is really easy to follow

 

[Slartybart]

All very good advice, Steve. Thanks.

Your caution on the keyboard is very important.

The best thing is to make the machine off limits for the duration. Let Testdisk work as hard as it has to without interruption. If now isn't convenient to be without the PC, schedule a time to accomplish the task.

If you can't schedule time until the weekend, that's fine.... work on it on your schedule.

Be very careful with your keyboard while using Testdisk. Very useful app, and powerful, but it responds to hotkeys and the arrow keys make changes in some modes. Watch your screen to see when the arrow keys might be active for changes rather than cursor movement.
.....
The bad news is that if you're really anxious you'll be tempted to just sit there and watch it rather than go do something else with your life while it does its job.

John: Thanks for posting the video.

stoleaway: Don't watch the video while Testdisk is running.

If you start Testdisk before you go to sleep, then we'll know how much it gets done in 7-8 hours. There's no user iteraction needed after you verify the drive information and hit OK to start writing.

In the morning check the status, if it's making progress, let it continue. It's big drive..... and it's really slow.

 

[F5ing]

Hey F5ing that Testdisk I ran a Google and if stoleaway is interested this YT vid is really easy to follow

That is a great video for new users! Really shows you what to expect and how it might work for you. Note that they're using Photorec, not Testdisk, so the steps are somewhat different. The UI is the same though and he mentions some important caveats that apply to both.

Interesting to note that he could've used Testdisk rather than Photorec to recover, and he wouldn't have lost the name of the file that was recovered. The drive would've looked just like it did before the quick format.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks fellas I just ran across it looking up that app. Thought it would be good for anyone who was watching too!

Hum just noticed that F5 I missed that photrec wasn't quick enough

 

[F5ing]

Thanks fellas I just ran across it looking up that app. Thought it would be good for anyone who was watching too!

Hum just noticed that F5 I missed that photrec wasn't quick enough

Not to worry, John. Other than clicking on Testdisk rather than Photorec, the first steps are all the same. From downloading, unzipping, launching, and then through the first few steps of actually using it. So you actually get a good idea of what to expect.

Kind of odd that he used Testdisk in the name of the video while actually using Photorec within the video. Especially considering Testdisk would've performed a cleaner recovery (no loss of file name).

 

[jumanji]

PhotoRec is much safer than TestDisk since it does not write anything to the hard drive being recovered.

Confidence booster:

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

 

[F5ing]

PhotoRec is much safer than TestDisk since it does not write anything to the hard drive being recovered.

Confidence booster:

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

Yes, very true. If all you're trying to do is recover data from the drive Photorec may be the best bet. The one downside I can think of though is that it recovers most everything that has ever been deleted yet still exists (if you have all recognizable file types selected). So you can end up with tons of trash to sort through, complicated by the fact that you lose so many of the file names. This might not be much of an issue though, if used on a data partition or external drive. It's a pain when used on a partition that contained an OS or a drive that's been through years of activity and it recovers a bunch of intentionally deleted files, old temp files, or even any file types that were stored in temp directories.

Even so, it is the safest route as far as data protection is concerned.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep F5 - a bit OT but that fellow has some pretty good video tuts - see my post

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/215829-free-great-programs-windows-7-2-a-17.html#post2166591

Sorry stoleaway didn't mean to hijack your thread

 

[stoleaway]

hi guys thanks for the help I will only be able to try doing these stuffs on Friday or Saturday tho >< I will try to do them asap tho, rly busy w work recently, really sorry! & as usual, thanks for the help!

 

[Slartybart]

No problem - do this when you have the time. We'll be here

Bill
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