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External HD wants to format - Can't Access

Last answer on Nov 19, 2009 5:57:02 am GMT rationalgaze, on Feb 13, 2009 5:27:50 am GMT 
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Last night we had some power shortages. My external HD was plugged in but wasn't transferring data. However, when attempting to access it this morning it tells me the drive is not formatted and I need to format it before I can use it. I still have ALOT of data on there that I need.

Is there any way I can get the data back or access the drive again without using a program? I currently have 9 hours remaining on my scan of the HD to recover data, but I don't even know how effective it will be.

Thanks in advance.

Configuration: Windows XP
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1

vistaXpert, on Feb 13, 2009 9:14:36 am GMT

Hi,
you may try it in another computer And see if it detects the hard drive.
if it detects, you will have to backup the files on some DVDs.
then you may format the drive.

   
Reply to vistaXpert

3

nephties, on Mar 14, 2009 4:31:02 pm GMT
  • +6

I am having this same problem..my Western Digital external has been in the closet for a while because I got a bigger external. Now I need something on the WD so I plugged it in..it sees it but says that it has not been formatted. This has never happened before, it always worked even when unplugged a long time. I am frantic..WD boobs have no answers..it's a glitch..gee thanks! I have tried it on the other computer and same thing...any suggestions?

   
Reply to nephties

2

rationalgaze, on Feb 13, 2009 1:14:40 pm GMT
  • +4

It detects the hard drive in either computer. The problem is, it doesn't recognize the hard drive as having data and instead says it needs formatting.

I addition, once my "data recovery" software finished it restarted my computer before I could save the data, thus making the last 9 hours pointless.

   
Reply to rationalgaze

4

marciara, on Aug 7, 2009 7:31:37 am BST
  • +2

My response is a little old, but you never know who it could help. I had not plugged in my hard drive for a minute and actually thought I had misplaced the AC adapter during this last international move. Somehow, when I tried to access the information on my WD external hard drive, I got a message asking me to format the drive if I wanted to use it. The drive registered, but showed 0kb, like it had spontaneously self-deleted all the files.

However, after reading everything here, and nothing worked, I decided to try a partition restoration software. It is called Active Partition Recovery out of Canada. I bought the $40 version after spending hours trying other things to scan it, etc. I could see the files. I simply right clicked on the drive to restore the boot sector and everything reappeared.

Just thought I would pass it along.

   
Reply to marciara

5

goddess, on Oct 23, 2009 3:23:05 am BST

Thanks Marciara for taking up an old response.
I purchased the same software from
LSOFT TECHNOLOGIES INC

2550 Argentia Road, Suite 218
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 5R1
CANADA

Scanned my 320 WD ex HDD, because it wanted to format and not read.
Untility found: all files and restored to original state.
Thanks for tip

   
Reply to goddess

6

 royalteezy, on Nov 19, 2009 5:57:02 am GMT

Please can you help a brother with the license key for that application,see here in nigeria credit cards are kinda difficult to come by...please i need it since my whole life is in that drive....please help me...you can send it to my box...koloviso@yahoo.com....i'm on my knees

   
Reply to royalteezy
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