Posted on 12/18/2014 9:18:26 AM PST by don-o
With no warning, when I plugged it in, (does run on external power) I got message "disk must be formatted". I took it to my local guy and he quoted $60 - $90 if data can be recovered.
Did a quick search and see "free" software listed for data recovery, but I am leery and seek input on what my best course is. There is nothing actually vital on it. But, I have maybe 200 GB of music that I have recorded from my singing groups that I would rather not lose.
And I would rather keep my money in my pocket. Is there any hope?
Try a Linux live disc. It has saved the data day more than once for me when windoze failed.
Are your USB connections common? 3.0 <> 3.0 or 2.0 <> 2.0?
Plugged into what?
Windows XP, 7,8
Linux ?
Look for forensic disk tools
Simple. Plug in your backup drive and use that.
I do dual backups of my internal drive just to be safe (ie, to two external drives). Cannot afford to lose data, documents, music, photons, etc.
If you don’t have BU drives, go buy two.
Many of the USB type external hard drives, work, but are hampered by strange power requirements.
Use the USB cable that came with the device and it will probably be OK.
I had one that gave the same message, “needing Format”.
I changed the cable to a shorter one and it worked fine.
I also found that it worked well in one USB port and not in another. Also, check whether the USB needed is 2.0 or 3.0.
Buy an Apricorn Drivewire - about $40 bucks. Connect the hard drive to it and the Apricorn to the USB of another computer then copy the contents.
Usually even if the operating system on the old drive is trashed the apricorn device will let you read the data partitions and copy it.
Win 7 Home
Sony Vaio laptop. I assume usb 2.0 as it’s 2 or three years old. Totally ignorant of Linux; but maybe it’s time to learn.
1 - stop booting up this enclosure.
Most likely the logic board in the enclosure has failed, and if you remove the drive and place it in another enclosure, it will most likely work. If you ask some tech savvy friends ( or their children ) they likely have the knowledge and parts on hand to test this.
I think USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with 2.0 but not the other way around. Have you tried plugging into another computer to see if the same thing happens?
If this is from an operating system or boot issue, the tech could fix it.
If this is from a slow, misalignment of the heads (more common on a well-used drive), then a special utility like Spinrite 6.0 (grc.com) can fix it.
I had an external HD that would only work with the
USB cord that came with it.
There are USB kits that works with internal drives. I suppose, if you can get the drive from the enclosure, it would have the same connections.
I used one to recover data from a 2nd partition on a crashed internal drive. It would not read the primary drive, however. I have used the 2nd partition/D: drives as the data drives for years. I also have several USB drives for backup. If the data is worth not losing, it is worth backing up.
Google link to some USB drive recovery kits. They are in the $15-20 range.
https://www.google.com/#q=usb+drive+recovery+kit&tbm=shop
Remorecover might help you.
Yes. It does. Nothing happens - the light comes on and the disk seems to spin but no read.
Yup. Have done this many times when our old desk units failed. Pulled the hard drive, put it in a new enclosure (about 30 to 40 bucks tops) and away I go, being able to access my old data.
Simple, and gave me a poor man's back up unit (slow, but works)
Thanks for the ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.