Topic: External Hard Drive Wont Read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Help!!!!!!

[Kaz]

Hi All,
I have a problem can you help please?
I have just pluged in my 500GB Hard Drive and I cant read it at all it says:-
''The File Name, Directory Name, or Volume label is Incorrect''
I named the drive and now it just comes up with Local Disk (H) I can't understands why this has happend? It was working ok the last time I used it which was yesterday. can anyone give me some advice, can I retrive whats on it maybe and get it back can anyone recommend anything please.
.it does have a 3 year garentee on it, but it's the stuff on it I want Pictures ect any help would be greatly appreciated as always
Thanks

[Simon]

Someone more technical will be along soon, Kaz, but have you tried connecting to drive to another USB port?

[Rik]

Can you try it on a different machine, Kaz? What happens if you look in Device Manager, is it flagged with a yellow triangle?

[Kaz]

Can you try it on a different machine, Kaz? What happens if you look in Device Manager, is it flagged with a yellow triangle?

Hi Rik
Have looked in Device Manager can't see any Yellow Triangle which one should I be looking at? I have also tried it on another pc and got the same problem 

[Rik]

Look in disk drives. If you can see the drive there, right click on it and select properties, does it say 'this device is working correctly'?

[Kaz]

Look in disk drives. If you can see the drive there, right click on it and select properties, does it say 'this device is working correctly'?

Ok I'v found it and it says This device is working properly

[Rik]

Try it on another machine, if you still can't read it, I suspect it will have to be re-formatted. Run a chkdsk on it as well.

[topquark]

Sounds like you may have a bit of corruption.  Ensure that you use the "safely remove hardware" option before disconnecting the drive (or shut the system down normally before disconnecting it).  This will ensure that any operating system (and drive) cache is emptied (ie really written to the disk).

I'd also suggest you reformat as Rik has suggested; if it doesn't work elsewhere.

[sam]

Try it on another machine, if you still can't read it, I suspect it will have to be re-formatted. Run a chkdsk on it as well.

though you can probably mount it with a linux boot cd - these are very robust at reading disks. I've recovered quite a few disks like this. Trying it on another machine is probably the best thing todo for now, but I would avoid reformatting unless absolutely necessary - you don't want to lose that data.

[Kaz]

It say's  Optimize for quick removal so i can dissconect without using the Safe removal Icon I dont want to loose any data I have pictures on it and all sorts if I can get them back I would be happy any recommendations in doing this please.  I have tried it on another PC and have the same problem

[Rik]

If you can't read it on two PCs, the chances are it would need forensic data recovery, which is massively expensive. Run a CHKDSK and see if that can do anything but, tbh, if it can't I feel you have lost your data.

It's a bit late to say this, but for the future, never rely on a single backup of critical data, particularly if it's on a hard drive. I have a daily routine to copy all critical data to an internal HD, plus two external HDs and a DVD-RW (one for each day of the week). In addition, on Wednesdays I backup to another external HD which I keep off site, and do the same with a second external HD on Saturdays, again kept off site but at a different location. I'm a wee bit paranoid about backups, but since I used to earn my living from computer files, I learnt quickly that the investment in backups was worth every penny.

[Kaz]

If you can't read it on two PCs, the chances are it would need forensic data recovery, which is massively expensive. Run a CHKDSK and see if that can do anything but, tbh, if it can't I feel you have lost your data.

It's a bit late to say this, but for the future, never rely on a single backup of critical data, particularly if it's on a hard drive. I have a daily routine to copy all critical data to an internal HD, plus two external HDs and a DVD-RW (one for each day of the week). In addition, on Wednesdays I backup to another external HD which I keep off site, and do the same with a second external HD on Saturdays, again kept off site but at a different location. I'm a wee bit paranoid about backups, but since I used to earn my living from computer files, I learnt quickly that the investment in backups was worth every penny.

HI Rik,
I am a present using a recovery Prog it has found 11337 files so far, maybe ill be lucky and get most of it back (Watch this space)
I to have 4 external hard drive I backup to also DVD's (this drive and wouldn't it be sods laws) is where I put stuff to backup onto DVD ie all My pictures etc Music and so on I didn't give it a thought to backup this drive to another.
After I lost files last time I thought I had it all under control appears not so 

This hard drive has a 3 year guarantee do you think I should call them up and see what they say or should I just format it when Iv finished recovery fingers crossed I'm not sure I would feel happy with it if there is anything Else wrong with it

[Rik]

Format and chkdsk, Kaz. If that's clear, then it should be OK, but in future I would suggest you use the 'safely remove' option - I have a couple of drives that won't let go of Windows until powerdown.

[Kaz]

Format and chkdsk, Kaz. If that's clear, then it should be OK, but in future I would suggest you use the 'safely remove' option - I have a couple of drives that won't let go of Windows until powerdown.

I am going to set that all external drives ask before removing usb I can do that can't I?

[Rik]

You can.