Hard Drive Not Recognized
May 18, 2020 08:52:19 #
I played around with this drive again this morning, hoping the computer might find it. It's a 500GB Toshiba from a MacBook Pro, used externally in a small case. Neither a Mac nor a Windows computer will find this drive. I've tried Disk Management, different USB ports, different cables - with no luck. The light on the case turns on, so I know it's connected and turning on. It worked fine before I removed it from the laptop. I could buy a new one of these for $27, so it's not a major problem, but it is annoying. I installed a Samsung SSD in the MBP.
If you have some weird way to find a disk, I'd be glad to hear it.
If you have some weird way to find a disk, I'd be glad to hear it.
May 18, 2020 09:06:57 #
NCMtnMan
Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
Are you using the same cable on both computers? If so, try another cable. The drive itself could be fine, but the USB electronics could be bad.
May 18, 2020 10:03:09 #
Can you put own another computer and format it.
Used to be so easy in the old days when you could FDisk.
There’s an idea. Can you attach it to an old computer that has an old version of Windows and FDisk it there?
Used to be so easy in the old days when you could FDisk.
There’s an idea. Can you attach it to an old computer that has an old version of Windows and FDisk it there?
May 18, 2020 10:42:45 #
NCMtnMan wrote:
Are you using the same cable on both computers? If so, try another cable. The drive itself could be fine, but the USB electronics could be bad.
I've tried different cables, and the light on the case always lights up. It's blue for power, blinking red when it's working.
I used a couple of different cables on different ports and different computers. I even tried Diskpart but that doesn't find it, either.
May 18, 2020 10:44:01 #
Indi wrote:
Can you put own another computer and format it.
Used to be so easy in the old days when you could FDisk.
There’s an idea. Can you attach it to an old computer that has an old version of Windows and FDisk it there?
Used to be so easy in the old days when you could FDisk.
There’s an idea. Can you attach it to an old computer that has an old version of Windows and FDisk it there?
I don't have a computer with FDisk, I don't think, but no computer even acknowledges the existence of the drive, so I can't do anything with it.
May 18, 2020 13:22:22 #
Jerry,
Try taking it out of the case and connect it to the laptop, to see if the enclosure is the problem...
HTH
Try taking it out of the case and connect it to the laptop, to see if the enclosure is the problem...
HTH
May 18, 2020 14:46:55 #
Could be a bad connection inside the case. Or even just a loose wire or connector.
May 18, 2020 19:59:10 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I don't have a computer with FDisk, I don't think, but no computer even acknowledges the existence of the drive, so I can't do anything with it.
FDisk usually does but you probably have to use a computer with Windows 7 or below, like WFWG (Windows for workgroups.)
Good luck anyway.
Removing from the case as was suggested might do it, too.
May 18, 2020 20:08:23 #
May 18, 2020 20:23:35 #
Is it worth the effort? 500 Gb sounds so small these days.
May 19, 2020 05:45:15 #
look on the internet for a low level formatter, generally they are free, and go from there, good luck
https://download.cnet.com/HDD-Low-Level-Format-Tool/3000-2094_4-75544788.html
https://download.cnet.com/HDD-Low-Level-Format-Tool/3000-2094_4-75544788.html
May 19, 2020 07:56:16 #
wmontgomery
Loc: Louisiana
The electronics is turning on the light, but can you actually hear the drive startup and spin?
May 19, 2020 07:56:33 #
You should take out the drive and put it in another case. The disc controllers fry sometimes, or you might have a break in the traces where the USB socket is connected in the case.
May 19, 2020 08:27:13 #
OlinBost
Loc: Marietta, Ga.
Try using AOMEI Partition Assistant. They have a free version and a paid one. AOMEI has a backup program as well and I use both.
May 19, 2020 08:37:44 #
SteveR wrote:
Hard drive not recognized? Maybe it's the mask!! 
Sorry...couldn't resist.
Sorry...couldn't resist.But I don't want it to get a virus!
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