Techie Question
Dec 11, 2011 08:50:15 #
I'm having a little problem with an external hard drive. Whenever I try to open it, it tells me that there is an I/O device error, or it tells me that the parameter is incorrect. I tried scan and fix several times, doesn't really seem to do anything. When I type chkdsk F:\ into command prompt, it tells me that it can't access the disk, or that's what it did the first several times I typed in that command. Lately it tells me that the file system is RAW, and chkdsk is not available for RAW drives. Any ideas?
Also, when I tried it on someone else's computer, it did the same thing for a while, but after many tries, it finally opened it, albeit slowly. It also took a long time to get anywhere within the drive.
GWMH's little bro
Also, when I tried it on someone else's computer, it did the same thing for a while, but after many tries, it finally opened it, albeit slowly. It also took a long time to get anywhere within the drive.
GWMH's little bro
Dec 11, 2011 09:47:11 #
1) what brand/model external drive?
2) What OS
3) how connected?
4) what is on the drive?
2) What OS
3) how connected?
4) what is on the drive?
Dec 11, 2011 10:40:36 #
It's a Seagate FreeAgent 320GB, running on Windows 7, connected with USB 3.0, and it's 50% full of mostly pictures.
Dec 11, 2011 10:57:23 #
Hmmm.. Ok the best way to figure this out is to isolate the various components.
1) Try Same PC, Same Drive, Same USB Port, DIFFERENT Cable.
If this DOES NOT WORK, you can rule out cable.
2) Try same PC, Same Drive, DIFFERENT Port, any cable.
If this does not work, you can rule out ports.
If you rule out ports, cable and PC, that leaves only the drive itself. May just be dead. or Dying.
Are you sure that drive supports USB 3.0? Not sure if that could be a factor or not, but you might try it on an older PC with USB 2.0 ports. The 320 sounds like it might be a couple years old??
1) Try Same PC, Same Drive, Same USB Port, DIFFERENT Cable.
If this DOES NOT WORK, you can rule out cable.
2) Try same PC, Same Drive, DIFFERENT Port, any cable.
If this does not work, you can rule out ports.
If you rule out ports, cable and PC, that leaves only the drive itself. May just be dead. or Dying.
Are you sure that drive supports USB 3.0? Not sure if that could be a factor or not, but you might try it on an older PC with USB 2.0 ports. The 320 sounds like it might be a couple years old??
Dec 11, 2011 13:38:16 #
Yeah, the drive is a few years old, and doesn't support 3.0, but that shouldn't make a diff, should it?
Dec 11, 2011 13:46:43 #
Dec 11, 2011 13:58:52 #
May I inject one more suggestion. It may be the contoller inside the drive box. Not sure about that particular drive but normally there is a SATA or other drive inside the box along with an USB interface controller and power supply.
It MAY be possible to simply transplant the drive itself from inside the portable box to a PC to retrieve the info.
But by all means get your info off that drive if you want to keep it.
It MAY be possible to simply transplant the drive itself from inside the portable box to a PC to retrieve the info.
But by all means get your info off that drive if you want to keep it.
Dec 12, 2011 00:58:43 #
I tried a different USB cable, different ports on the same computer, no difference. I also tried connecting it to an older computer, but it didn't help. It doesn't contain anything real essential, but I'd like to have my stuff off it, if I could...if there'd be a computer shop around, that's where I'd go, but I live in Kenya :shock:
Dec 12, 2011 01:17:18 #
GWMH wrote:
I tried a different USB cable, different ports on the same computer, no difference. I also tried connecting it to an older computer, but it didn't help. It doesn't contain anything real essential, but I'd like to have my stuff off it, if I could...if there'd be a computer shop around, that's where I'd go, but I live in Kenya :shock:
If you want to save anything important on it, you might try zar recovery software. It will read it and show you what it can extract out of it. It is a free program for data recovery.
Dec 12, 2011 08:21:36 #
Dec 12, 2011 08:47:20 #
GWMH wrote:
I'm having a little problem with an external hard ... (show quote)
Sounds like a driver issue, go to manufacture and look for update or reload the one you have.
Dec 12, 2011 10:18:17 #
All good suggestions
My guess is either the USB controller in the enclosure is bad, or the drive is failing. If you can figure out how to get the drive out of it's enclosure you can use one of these to connect it to a USB port.
http://www.xpcgear.com/usbdsc5.html
You can also go to Seagate's site and download SeaTools for windows, and it will diagnose the drive. Free by the way
My guess is either the USB controller in the enclosure is bad, or the drive is failing. If you can figure out how to get the drive out of it's enclosure you can use one of these to connect it to a USB port.
http://www.xpcgear.com/usbdsc5.html
You can also go to Seagate's site and download SeaTools for windows, and it will diagnose the drive. Free by the way
Dec 13, 2011 09:35:13 #
OK, I know it's not the computer, as I have a newer external drive which works fine, plus anything else I plug into the USB ports works very well.
Dec 13, 2011 15:31:25 #
johnr9999
Loc: Carlton, OR
GWMH wrote:
I'm having a little problem with an external hard ... (show quote)
found this http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f16/my-file-system-is-now-raw-help-192014.html
Dec 13, 2011 19:47:53 #
johnr9999 wrote:
quote=GWMH I'm having a little problem with an ex... (show quote)
Don't do this, you will probably loose everything
Trust me BAD advise
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.