Solved Need to Recover Data from WD Passport External HD

[gregrocker]

If it goes like others and fixes File System errors enough to autostart to access the data then the problem is/was file system errors. We've had several repair this way recently.

I'm wondering what tells you this is to take five hours. Check File System is Partition Wizard's version of Disk Check and uses the same programming which doesn't given times like that. And it normally won't run if a Drive Letter is not assigned to the partition, same as Disk Check

 

[whs]

Thanks for the replies.

Having problems burning Paragon to a disk after download. Keep receiving error. Even so, I am concerned that the data recovery software will not recognize the Passport during a scan as I encountered with Easeus. I believe that is why no data is indicated under Disk Management for Disk 2 (Passport) It is not recognized by Windows.

If I remove external HD from the case as stated by futur above, how do you connect to a laptop ?

In this case I do not think removing the HDD from the case will buy you anything. I would leave it as is.

 

[torre]

Is it possible that it was unplugged while files were still being written to it?

Not 100% sure. I may on one occasion lost power while the external drive was plugged-in.

Is there a correction for corrupted system data ?

 

[gregrocker]

Repair the file system.

Are you going to respond to my questions about how PW "Check File System" is giving an estimated time when it doesn't normally do this, and cannot run without a drive letter?

 

[torre]

Sorry, greg. I was away from the computer.

When I right clicked on the drive, the check file option was "grayed", so the only option I had was "surface scan" In the estimated time remaining block, it states 5 hours.

Will post a picture in a few.

Capture 4.PNG

 

[F5ing]

Is there a correction for corrupted system data ?

That's what Testdisk does. It picks out what part of that data is still valid, analyzes it with other data that's still on the disk, then rebuilds that system data.

 

[gregrocker]

As I've mentioned repeatedly you'll need to assign a drive letter first before you can Check File System:
How to change drive Letter - partition software Partition Wizard Help


Then choose Check File System, tick the box to Check and Fix Errors as shown here: How to check File System - magic partition manager, Partition Wizard Help

 

[F5ing]

Sorry, greg. I was away from the computer.

When I right clicked on the drive, the check file option was "grayed", so the only option I had was "surface scan" In the estimated time remaining block, it states 5 hours.

Will post a picture in a few.

That sounds exactly what Greg was talking about: It was grayed out because there was no drive letter assigned.

The surface scan is basically check the drive platters for defects (mechanical/magnetic). You probably don't need to do that at this point.

 

[torre]

My apologies, everyone.

My computer has started to lag and very slow. Will post more info when avail.

 

[torre]

cap2.PNG



This is what the wizard looks like on my computer. I can find no options to change the drive letter ?


I can't capture the right click, but as prev stated, assign a letter and check disk are grayed out.

 

[F5ing]

I think you would have to create a partition out of that "unnallocated" space before you can assign a drive letter. But I'm not sure if you should do that just yet.

Have you already recovered all files from the drive yet? Or just a few of them (as I think you previously posted)?

What method (program) were you using before where you could finally see files there to recover?

 

[torre]

No, I did not recover files because you need to upgrade to the commercial version for more than 1GB. May do so later. I was using the Data Recovery section of the wizard.

I am currently running test disk. Will post the results. Thanks for your help.

 

[F5ing]

Oh yeah, forgot about that part with the free version of Partition Wizard.

So that was Partition Wizard that revealed to you that the files were still there.

Try this: How to perform lost partition recovery and deleted partition recovery under Windows? Partition Recovery Help.

 

[whs]

I think you would have to create a partition out of that "unnallocated" space before you can assign a drive letter

That is correct. But that would wipe your data. Before you pay any money, try Recuva. It is a bit messy but many people have recovered data with it. http://www.piriform.com/recuva

 

[F5ing]

Yeah, that's why I mentioned not to do that. If Partition Wizard is good at it, I think it would be worth a shot at trying partition recovery. That would probably be much cleaner than trying to use the various file recovery programs.

That's really the reason I mentioned earlier about using Testdisk. A little harder to use, but you end up with the cleanest, and most accurate recovery. And you don't have to deal with any of the "after-mess" that other recovery program leave.

If it was repartioned, I don't think Partition Wizard could recover from that. The only one I know that would is Testdisk (as long as the disk wasn't zeroed out in the process).

 

[torre]

Took me a few minutes to figure out how to execute test disk. Currently at 25%.

As I have tried to explain, for some reason the only option available for me in Partition Wizard is the surface scan. All others (change driver letter, check system) are grayed out.

Would running surface scan be of benefit ? Takes 5 hrs on 500GB HD.

 

[F5ing]

I doubt a surface scan will help, it doesn't sound like you've got surface problems.

 

[whs]

I doubt a surface scan will help, it doesn't sound like you've got surface problems.

Agree !!

 

[torre]

Completed Test Disk. There were no results indicated at completion ?

A couple of drivers were installed automatically while Test Disk was running.

Problem is now Partition Wizard does not recognize the Passport (Disk 2) like before.

Thanks to everyone. Will continue to explore tomorrow.

 

[F5ing]

Completed Test Disk. There were no results indicated at completion ?

Are you sure? Did you pick around at the different menu options at the bottom of the Testdisk window? I've never seen it not identify something recoverable..

A couple of drivers were installed automatically while Test Disk was running.

Where did these come from?