Can I save external HDD?

[EasyObserver]

I was formatting an external Hitachi TB sata HDD when the power was shut off (thanks to spastic cat jumping on power bar switch), when I turned the power back on and rebooted, my computer will not recognize the drive is even there. Is there a way to salvage this HDD or is it now a paper weight?

[Tootech]

Have you had a look in Disk Management?

 

A faulty format won't kill the drive, just make it unviewable in My Computer.

 

Disk Management should show the drive, remove the old partition, reformat again and all should be well.

[EasyObserver]

Not showing in Disk Management

 

Have you had a look in Disk Management?

 

A faulty format won't kill the drive, just make it unviewable in My Computer.

 

Disk Management should show the drive, remove the old partition, reformat again and all should be well.

 

 

Hi...I just checked the Disk Management and it doesn't show. It shows my internal, other external and 2 dvd drives...but none other. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Dalo Harkin]

Right well if it doesnt show in there its a hardware fault from either the HDD or the enclosure or the USB drivers, sounds daft but check that all the cables are secure and you dont have the HDD plugged into a HUB (powered or non powered) as these can stop things like externals being detected as they cannot supply the power needed.

Next thing is to try another USB slot on the MOBO (I always suggest that External HDD's are plugged into the back of the MOBO)

any joy from any of that?

Dont forget when you plug the HDD into the PC when the PC is powered on in windows it should make that annoying noise when something is connected :D

[EasyObserver]

Still doesn't show in Disk Management. I do hear it spin up when I connect the USB to the computer, or turn the HDD off and on while connected...but it just whirls a few times..clicks..and stops. Tried front and rear USB slots...same results, even replaced the USB cable just to be sure. Guess it's toast.

[Dalo Harkin]

Hmm, when you say it clicks, is it quite a loud click??

as a rule when HDD's click they tend to be toast as the arm is sticking or knocking.

 

If there is data on the HDD that you need to get off then say and we can have a go with the old sandwich bag and freezer trick (this does well and truly render the drive inert though :D)

[EasyObserver]

There's no data that I need to get off, I was formatting it. Just ticked me off cause the HDD is not even a year old. What's the sandwich bag and freezer trick?

[Tootech]

Just ticked me off cause the HDD is not even a year old

 

Try it on another PC, and if it doesn't show in Disk Management, take it back under warranty.

[EasyObserver]

Try it on another PC, and if it doesn't show in Disk Management, take it back under warranty.

 

I would do that, but the seal is broken...already tried to see if it would work as an internal, so I would imagine I've voided the warranty.

[Plastic Nev]

As far as any seals are concerned, it may not matter and still be under warranty, it won't cost anything to try. If they are going to refuse to repair or replace it under the warranty they must tell you and why before actually doing a repair.

The sandwich bag and freezer trick, is simply placing the drive in a bag of a type that can be sealed such as a sandwich bag, then placing it in a freezer for a couple of hours. Chilling it down to at least freezing point has been known to revive a drive for enough time to rescue all the data on it.

Nev.