HELP: Hi All, I hope I am in the right forum, I have just discovered my 1TB external HD is not being recognized by my PC. This is where I stored my images dating since 2006, the HD is...

Jack68 Loc: Sydney Australia

Hi All,
I hope I am in the right forum, I have just discovered my 1TB external HD is not being recognized by my PC. This is where I stored my images dating since 2006, the HD is only 2 years old. I have tried it on a different PC with no luck. Is there anyway that the data can be recovered?. I know there places that recovers data, but I am relucent to send my HD away as I am not sure what these places do.
Has anyone had this problem? and can Raw images be recovered? HELP please!!!.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Have you tried connecting it to a different PC in order to determine if it’s the HD or if there is a connectivity problem with this PC? Has it been a while since you’ve connected this HD?

Walt

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Probably belongs in general chit chat, but I’ll give it a try. First, since it’s an external, have you tried a different cable? Second, does it have an internal power supply or a “wall wart” to power it, or does it get its power from the host USB port? Third, is the data backed up anywhere? Finally, does the drive spin up? (You can feel it if you lay your hand in the case). Answer these, and we’ll go from there... btw, what make/model is The HD? I’m assuming you have rebooted the PC and it sounds as if you don’t see the drive letter in explorer at all - correct?

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

You are going to get a ton of suggestions. without knowing you system, I would suggest that you find a shop that either cheap or free diagnosis. A lot of times it can be something very simple to a qualified tech. Other times, your worst fears may be realized. If you were to hop on a plane, you could come over and I could go over the problem and I would not charge you. Isn't that nice of me. I have many tools that can diagnose the drive and I am also able to emulate just about any system out there. In other words, you should be able to find a shop that can do the same.

This drive wouldn't happen to be a Seagate, would it? Oh and, yes, raw files can be recovered just fine.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Jack68 wrote:

Hi All,
I hope I am in the right forum, I have just discovered my 1TB external HD is not being recognized by my PC. This is where I stored my images dating since 2006, the HD is only 2 years old. I have tried it on a different PC with no luck. Is there anyway that the data can be recovered?. I know there places that recovers data, but I am relucent to send my HD away as I am not sure what these places do.
Has anyone had this problem? and can Raw images be recovered? HELP please!!!.

It kind of depends if the hard drive is recognised as being attached and if so it probably can be mostly recovered , any lights on the drive?

have you tried a different Port , different cable , different computer?

What i would do would create an image file of the drive and recover from that if its possible. If its a head crash sometimes the heads can be parked and then the drive started and recovered from that. it might be the usb controller is wrecked but the sata controller for the disk is ok. If the sata controller is wrecked sometimes recovery companies will change the controller card and then recover.

It might be running a file system check, if you put your ear to it can you hear the drive spinning?

https://www.rossmanngroup.com/data-recovery-service-nyc/ I would trust louis to try to recover your data.

just seen you are in australia , must have some reputable companies that can help there.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Jack68 wrote:

Hi All,
I hope I am in the right forum, I have just discovered my 1TB external HD is not being recognized by my PC. This is where I stored my images dating since 2006, the HD is only 2 years old. I have tried it on a different PC with no luck. Is there anyway that the data can be recovered?. I know there places that recovers data, but I am relucent to send my HD away as I am not sure what these places do.
Has anyone had this problem? and can Raw images be recovered? HELP please!!!.

Take it to a place like b\Best Buy. See if they can open it. If not you will need to pay to have it recovered. Not cheap but worth it. Happened to me several years ago and now I do as most here with at least one duplicate back up.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Architect1776 wrote:

Take it to a place like b\Best Buy. See if they can open it. If not you will need to pay to have it recovered. Not cheap but worth it. Happened to me several years ago and now I do as most here with at least one duplicate back up.

I hope the Best Buy Geek squad (is there a Best Buy in Australia?) is better qualified the the ones I’ve seen locally 😂.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

TriX wrote:

I hope the Best Buy Geek squad (is there a Best Buy in Australia?) is better qualified the the ones I’ve seen locally 😂.

They did a perfect job for me in the middle of nowhere Williamsport, PA.

CBruceM Loc: South Central Texas

I had the same problem with one of my external drives. I simply pulled the drive out of the "box" and installed it directly into my computer as a secondary drive. Evidently, the electronics in the "box" died and the drive itself was just fine. Otherwise, this is why there has been much discussion on another topic about cloud backup; if all else fails.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Architect1776 wrote:

They did a perfect job for me in the middle of nowhere Williamsport, PA.

Glad to hear it, but the quality of their service seems to vary depending on the location. Our store is not so good (not that I would ever trust my data to a non-professional).

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

TriX wrote:

Glad to hear it, but the quality of their service seems to vary depending on the location. Our store is not so good (not that I would ever trust my data to a non-professional).

You say non-professional?
Whatever floats your boat.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

CBruceM wrote:

I had the same problem with one of my external drives. I simply pulled the drive out of the "box" and installed it directly into my computer as a secondary drive. Evidently, the electronics in the "box" died and the drive itself was just fine. Otherwise, this is why there has been much discussion on another topic about cloud backup; if all else fails.

If the drive will spin up, that would be my suggestion as well assuming the OP has the skill set to do it and there is an available SATA and power port.

And yes, one more (sad) example of why you need three copies of your data and one off-site for DR. All HDs eventually fail.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Architect1776 wrote:

You say non-professional?
Whatever floats your boat.

The Geek Squad techs I have seen are typically young people with an interest in computers or (rarely) the occasional CS major. If the data is valuable, I want a degreed (CS or EE) SE or Sys Admin with the appropriate professional certifications, experience and or perhaps military training. Does that sound “snotty”? Maybe, but that’s what’s required to get a professional job with an IT organization or IT company where the data really matters. It’s a case of experienced professionals vs amateurs. I’m sure there are talented computer savvy “geeks”, but without the credentials, how do you know their real qualifications? There are plenty of kids that are facile with computers, but how many really know how they work down to the chip and machine language level?

Jack68 Loc: Sydney Australia

Hi, thanks for the information, Yes I tried a different PC and different cable, it's a Buffalo USB 1TB when I plug it in the light is flashing like it's being read, I have booted my PC but no letter shows up

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

its a PC so go to control panel , click devices and printers, then click add a device, your system will search for the drive and may find it. DO NOT LET IT FORMAT THE DRIVE IF IT ASKS. If it finds the drive and lets you access it. first thing to do is copy that drive to your reg hard drive or to someplace online. Its acting up and may not find the drive a second time. Good luck Hope this helps.