External HDD visable but suddenly gone unreadable

Hi all

For some reason, my Seagate external has suddenly became unreadable. Whenever i plug it in or try to access it, i am told it needs to be formatted, but im hoping to not lose all the files that are on there.
When trying to access is, it says " I:\ is not accessible. The volume does not contain a recognised file system. Please make sure that all required file system drivers are loaded and that the volume is not corrupt."

Is there a way to recover this drive without losing my data on it?

Fingers crossed

Forgot to say, this is on a Windows 10 PC and its a Seagate Backup Plus 3tb usb drive.

This is what disk management show for the drive

At very first, do not attempt to recover any data, just let Drive disconnected until you figure out what is the problem.
Similar Problems were arising back 2016 with the W10 update, many people lose their Data on external Drives including myself.

At least you should provide OS Build you are using.
Anf some aditional information, regards the prior situation when is was working and what have changed to the present.
Also, how old is your Seagate Drive.
I will not follow your issue, only that information will help people to give you advise.
I am not anylonger following MS errors. If it is Bad OS Version just go back to porevious were was working.

EDIT: So far I recall back to 2016 update, the best option was to go back to previous W10 Version. Maybe it the best and solely option for your if the issue is related to Update to Version 1803.
Be carefull and attentious, a wrong step and your Data is lost permanently!

1. How old is your Seagate Backup Plus 3tb usb drive.? Please specify the model number and whether it is a desktop type or portable one. Also whether it is still under warranty.

2. How many partitions did you have in it?

3. Do you know whether it is a GPT drive or MBR drive?

"Is there a way to recover this drive without losing my data on it?"

Nothing definite can be said as of now till we get a clear picture..

Action required on your part: ( We are still in the investigation phase )

Download, install and run MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9.1 - yes, the old version - from http://www.filehorse.com/download-pa.../old-versions/ . Say no if it offers to update and post a screenshot of how your drive appears in it - the very first screen that appears on launching PW. ( Please remove all other USB connected external drives/Flash drives/USB hubs/ Card Readers to reduce clutter. Plug in only your drive under investigation)

I can see it and respond only tomorrow morning 9 to 10 hours from now.

Adalwar said:

At very first, do not attempt to recover any data, just let Drive disconnected until you figure out what is the problem.
Similar Problems were arising back 2016 with the W10 update, many people lose their Data on external Drives including myself.

At least you should provide OS Build you are using.
Anf some aditional information, regards the prior situation when is was working and what have changed to the present.
Also, how old is your Seagate Drive.
I will not follow your issue, only that information will help people to give you advise.
I am not anylonger following MS errors. If it is Bad OS Version just go back to porevious were was working.

EDIT: So far I recall back to 2016 update, the best option was to go back to previous W10 Version. Maybe it the best and solely option for your if the issue is related to Update to Version 1803.
Be carefull and attentious, a wrong step and your Data is lost permanently!

OS Build is Windows 10 pro, version 1709, os build 16299.431 (i assume this is what you meant).
To be honest, im not sure how old it is, its gotta be around 2 yrs old. I know its definately out of warranty as i've checked that.

jumanji said:

1. How old is your Seagate Backup Plus 3tb usb drive.? Please specify the model number and whether it is a desktop type or portable one. Also whether it is still under warranty.

2. How many partitions did you have in it?

3. Do you know whether it is a GPT drive or MBR drive?

"Is there a way to recover this drive without losing my data on it?"

Nothing definite can be said as of now till we get a clear picture..

Action required on your part: ( We are still in the investigation phase )

Download, install and run MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9.1 - yes, the old version - from http://www.filehorse.com/download-pa.../old-versions/ . Say no if it offers to update and post a screenshot of how your drive appears in it - the very first screen that appears on launching PW. ( Please remove all other USB connected external drives/Flash drives/USB hubs/ Card Readers to reduce clutter. Plug in only your drive under investigation)

I can see it and respond only tomorrow morning 9 to 10 hours from now.

1. Not sure, must be around 2 years. Definately out of warranty. Its a desktop type, Model No. SRD00F2.
2. I thought it was just one, but disk management is showing more as you can see on the pic above.
3. I THINK it is MBR

The question is not about the Warranty, it is about the possibilty of a HDD Hadrware defect, which could be assumed if the Drive is more than 5 Years old and/orhave been "hardly" manused.
Did you try to use another Cable and / or another USB Port?
Did it happen after any Software Update / Change?
Did try to Boot a Clean Boot?

If have to go Step-by-Step.

Adalwar said:

The question is not about the Warranty, it is about the possibilty of a HDD Hadrware defect, which could be assumed if the Drive is more than 5 Years old and/orhave been "hardly" manused.
Did you try to use another Cable and / or another USB Port?
Did it happen after any Software Update / Change?
Did try to Boot a Clean Boot?

If have to go Step-by-Step.

Pretty sure it is not 5 years old, i'd say 3 at most.
I have tried another cable and also 2 other usb ports and its still the same. I have also tried it on my laptop.
As far as i'm aware there has been no software updates and nothing has been added to the drive for a few weeks

Im not sure what you mean by a clean boot?

If you tried other USB / Cable / PC then it looks like there is some HDD Hardware related issue.
In this case the "Clean Boot" will not help, never mind about it.
Is it a internal Drive that is assembled is external case? If so, you may want to try another case or even connect it internally to PC if it is possible.
Has it a external Power Supply? If so, you should check it.

Beyond this I can not Help you any further, sorry .

Adalwar said:

If you tried other USB / Cable / PC then it looks like there is some HDD Hardware related issue.
In this case the "Clean Boot" will not help, never mind about it.
Is it a internal Drive that is assembled is external case? If so, you may want to try another case or even connect it internally to PC if it is possible.
Has it a external Power Supply? If so, you should check it.

Beyond this I can not Help you any further, sorry .

It is an external drive, the same as this:


It does have an external power supply which I guess is ok as its powering up and spinning.