Cannot find boot drive and at same time USB drives are not readable


  1. RonNewYork
    Posts : 250
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Cannot find boot drive and at same time USB drives are not readable


    Here's my issue: My Win10Pro machine crashed a few times. The issue was could not find the boot disk. Changed disk, same problem. Bought a new computer (ASUS, 1TB hd). It runs OK.

    Attached to my (old) computer were 2 1TB USB drives. I used the USB drives to store my data. One was a backup of the other. So only Win10 specific files were on the C: drive.At the same time my Win10 could not find the C: drive, both my USB drives had the same error message: Disk not formatted.They are still "not formatted". I believe the data is there, just no MBR (or what is the USB drive equivalent). What kind of events could cause all three drives, 2 of which are attached USB drives, to have the same or similar problems?

    Fortunately, I stored a lot of my data on a 128gB flash drive, so I'm not totally DOA. But my 300gB of images are mostly gone now. My source code is saved, luckily.
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  3. Samuria
    Posts : 6,967
    windows 10
       New #2

    If it shows as not formatted or raw it's lost the partition table you need free specific partition recovery software. Why don't you backup images to Google it's free and unlimited I have 80000 backed up and you can search them as well
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  4. RonNewYork
    Posts : 250
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    I will check the recovery tools. I'm looked at EaseUS but it is limited (free) to 2GB.

    Any suggestions for USB drives?

    As for the images, well, it may be too late for me. We'll see.
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  6. jumanji
    Posts : 9,882
    Windows 10 Home 64bit Version 21H2
       New #4

    Please post a full screenshot of Windows Disk Management with only your 2TB drives plugged in. Make sure you read this Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of and comply with the guidelines therein to present all available information.

    Upload the screenshots How to Upload and Post Screenshots and Files at Ten Forums

    Also the manufacturer, Model name/Number of both the drives.

    Download, install and run MiniTool Partition Wizard v 9.1 - yes, only 9.1 and not any other v 10.x, 10.x.x Post the screenshot of the first screen that appears as soon as you launch it showing all your drives. Download from http://www.filehorse.com/download-pa.../old-versions/

    "What kind of events could cause all three drives, 2 of which are attached USB drives, to have the same or similar problems?"

    Can't say for sure, but a sudden voltage surge could kill all the sensitive devices plugged in. Was there thunder and lightning in your area? Was there a blackout, brownout of electrical supply? Sudden and abrupt switch on , switch off of the main supply can induce large transients that can kill the devices.
    Last edited by jumanji; 01 Feb 2018 at 11:33. Reason: missing link added.
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  7. zbook
    Posts : 39,994
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       New #5

    1) Find 3 flash drives that you can format.
    2) Create bootable drives for:
    a) Windows 10 iso:
    Download Windows 10
    b) Boot rescue:
    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums
    c) Memtest86+ version 5.01:
    Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

    In the BIOS
    1) switch from UEFI to Legacy
    2) Turn off fast boot
    Enable or Disable Fast Boot in UEFI Firmware Settings for Windows Performance Maintenance Tutorials
    3) Turn off ultra fast boot
    4) Turn off secure boot
    5) enable CSM

    Try both USB 2 and USB 3 ports.
    Boot from USB Drive on Windows 10 PC Installation Upgrade Tutorials
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