Format Ext. HDD that appear as LOCAL DISK and SLOWS DOWN my windows.


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Format Ext. HDD that appear as LOCAL DISK and SLOWS DOWN my windows.


    I have a TOSHIBA 1TB External Hard Drive... One night I was using it perfectly. The day after when I woke up, I plugged in the ext. HDD and showed up as a Local Disk. When I try to open it, a message kept showing up that says I have to format it. That's what it does for a few days until it came to the point that the message doesn't appear anymore and the ext. HDD still shows up as a Local Disk and now slows down my computer. That's still what it does 3 YEARS from now. Just last week, I was able to recover the files in it using "M3 Data Recovery." That's it! I'm done having my files back. All I want now is to FORMAT the External Hard Drive. But I can't find a way to do it. When I right click it in "This PC", to select format, the format window appears only like 90% of the time when I try to open it. But when the format window appears, I check the "Quick format" and press the start. After a few minutes, a message shows up that says the format was unable to complete. I don't know the reason why. The same happens when I format it in "Disk Management" under "Computer Management."

    Is there any other way to format the Ext. Hard Drive?? Because I've heard this many times that when formatting it, it will now be accessible and will show up as its previous name as "TOSHIBA (EXT)" or at least that's how I remember how it appears before.

    Additionally, what is the reason why it slows down my computer when it's plugged in?? I really have no idea.

    Thanks to anyone who would read this and/or reply! :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #2

    It sounds like your HD is fried.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #3

    Maybe the disk is still OK but the SATA to USB adapter is broken. Since it is out of warranty, I would break the enclosure open (careful not to damage the disk) and get the disk out. Then I would put it inside the computer like a standard SATA disk and test it for problems. If it is OK, you can either leave it inside and use it as a second disk for data or buy a new USB enclosure and make it external again.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks Spapakons! Maybe I'll try that.

    Topgundcp. I don't think it's fried... I forgot to tell this but the external hard drive, when I plug it in a Mac, it opens perfectly normal. But when it's in windows, like I said, appears as local disk and slows down the system... I tried to format it in Mac but it won't.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    Is readyboost enabled for the drive?
    Right click on the drive icon, select properties, readyboost tab, make sure "do not use this device" is checked.
      My Computer


 

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