Solved Problem with WD external HD

[sk0t0s]

What do you think is the problem with my friends External HD.

Here's the screen shot of disk management.



There's no other option rather than Delete partition.

 

[Slartybart]

Not sure, but I only see system on disk 0 part 1 C:\
no boot, active, crash dump, or page.

disk 1 almost looks as though it's a mirror of disk 0 - same size, different partitioning

I would shut down the machine and remove the external drive, the boot up and see what disk management says.

WD has a low level utility that can check the external drive or restore it to factory condition. It depends on what data is on your friend's dirve.

check the model for the correct software (although I think it's a generic utility)

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello skotos mate just what is the drive being used for ie has it got any data on board yet?

 

[sk0t0s]

I shutdown the pc and reboot, disk management says:

Disk 0 which is drive C and D.

Plugin the external HD, pretty much the same with my screenshot on my first post.

 

[Slartybart]

what are the stats for both drives. Are they really both 149.05 GB?

What makes and model are the drives?

 

[sk0t0s]

Disk 0 is Western Digital 7200rpm Hard Drive 149.05gb. No problem with this disk.

Disk 1 is WD 1600BEV External USB Device. My friend said maybe it is damage. Is there any way to recover his files?

 

[Slartybart]

sk0t0s,

I'm going to have to bow out on this... I need to get some sleep. I've asked ICit2lol if he would take point on this. I'll check back after I get some rest.

More info on your friend's machine would certainly help - what's on the drives, what os, have the drives been scanned and system specs (since it's not your machine - your specs won't help). You know the drill......

Thanks

 

[sk0t0s]

Take a rest my friend.

There is no OS on the external HD, just some of his personal files. I have the disk with me right now. Maybe i will check it again when i got home after a few hours.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok skotos see what you need to recover because there is another way that doesn't use Windows if we get stuck.

Just let me know I am off to bed soon myself my friend but will be around in the am.

Bill hope everything is ok

John

 

[Slartybart]

Still awake....... I've been battling the stars for a few weeks. I've finally reconstructed one of my machines to semi-working condition. Out of five machines - 1 limped back to life. Lots of triage. Yeah, I'm ok - thanks John.

---

Before I go... see if the WD Data Lifegaurd Diagnostics can tell you anything (it's a generic drive test utility for WD).

A search of WD for WD1600BEV found nothing - I did locate WD1600BEVS (an internal drive).

since I don't have enough information to dig deeper, take a look at WD External drives - maybe a serial number can get you to the right place. WD makes you hunt - knowing the model isn't enough, you have to know if it's a passport, a mybook, an essentials...... I recall doing this for my WD. Anyway, a few recommendations on the Wd site were

1) toggle the removal policy - safely remove the drive in windows, unplug the drive, boot, plug in the drive - any luck?
toggle the removal policy back and repeat the remove, unplug, boot sequence.

2) update the firmware.....

You might see if Recuva from Piriform can find anything on the drive. You'll need someplace to put any files recovered - not on that "bad" drive!

 

[jumanji]

1. Plug the external HDD into two or more PCs ( as many as you can ). If you are lucky, one of them may recognise the drive partition and you may be able to copy data. Sounds strange and quixotic? Have a look here: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...but-visible-disk-management-2.html#post764503

2. If it does not help try Test Disk.

If it can find the partition, pressing the P or List and then ENTER can show you the files and folders which you may copy to another drive. ( Please read the available commands in the DOS Window).

You may also rewrite the partition table.

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/190430-regain-lost-drive-using-test-disk-illustrated-guide.html

 

[Slartybart]

jumanji,

I never cease to be amazed by the knowledge of folks on this site - thank you for a wonderful guide.

I was reluctant to suggest trying another PC until it could be determined that the External disk did not contain malware. But that is up to the user - I did notice that the version of Windows might make a difference too (XP or Win7)

I do have a question re: Test disk - comments made by others on your thread seem to point to various "versions" of Test disk; comments on UBCD and Parted Magic in particular. I checked your reference in post# 1 and it seems to be fairly recent, so my confusion probably stems from UBCD and Parted Magic. It seems as though much of this is Open source and has been incorporated in a number of offerings. Is one a better option than the other or is it a matter of personal preference?

This is a great disk reference and I will certainly use it when necessary.

.....
Regain a lost drive using Test Disk - An Illustrated Guide

For other users reading: I don't mean to confuse the issue, jumanji is the go-to reference on this. Follow the instructions given in the "Regain a lost drive..." thread and ignore my question. If there is helpful information to be gained from my question, I'm fairly sure jumanji will post it here.

I also see that the WD disk utility was referenced in that thread. I've used that on my own drive with limited success - most of the times it told me everything was fine. I think the Test disk utility will provide better diagnostics and hopefully recovery.

Bill
.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Bill I was just wondering too perhaps Speccy or SIW could come up with the drive info as both tend to spit out enormous lists of specs including the drive (or whatever) including details which are a mystery to me.

See pics of my data HDD one is Speccy and the other SIW - would these be of any use to find what is being looked for?

 

[Slartybart]

John,

I'm not sure if Speccy or SI would read the USB drive info - WD Diags or Test disk are probable better geared to this.

Eli, are you still working on your friend's drive or are you in out saving water?

Bill
.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

John,

I'm not sure if Speccy or SI would read the USB drive info - WD Diags or Test disk are probable better geared to this.

Eli, are you still working on your friend's drive or are you in out saving water?

Bill
.

Yeah Bill you are right as you can see in pics.

Plus thanks for that jumanji tut mate that is so good

 

[jumanji]

It is always better to download the latest stable version of Test Disk, and use it.

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum jumanji is there a secret to get it to run as I have downloaded it but nothing seems to ant to run.

The other thing was that the 64bit is only available in beta version?

 

[jumanji]

No secrets whatsoever. I just ran it on my 32 bit Windows 7 Ultimate just a few minutes back. The screenshot below showing my Internal HDD(RAID 0) and the external Maxtor one touch.



No idea about 64bit. Later in the day I shall try it on my 64 bit lappy and let you know. ( Not for the next 10hrs or so. 10 minutes to go for the opening bell of the stock market.)

 

[jumanji]

I ran the same TestDisk version 6.13 downloaded afresh and unzipped to my pendrive on my 64Bit Windows 7 Home Premium. No problems. Screenshot below.



So the stable version works both on 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 7.

 

[sk0t0s]

I'm sorry guys something came up. To update you guys, my friend decided to buy a new external HD and took the old one from me.

I appreciate your help guys. I've learned a lot from your suggestions.

Thanks a lot. am gonna mark this thread as solved.