External hard drive is inaccessible

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  1. Posts : 472
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit v1803 build 17133.73
       #11
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10
    Windows 10 ProN (Build 10240) x64
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Thanks, but, that was the first thing I tried.. And it was useless. It can't even find the hard drive. Just like how Crystal Disk Info can't find the hard drive in question when Disk Management can, as my screenshots have shown.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #13

    No sweat! You can ask a friend with a desktop computer to connect it and test it there. Or you could borrow a 3.5" SATA USB enclosure. There is also an IDE/SATA to USB adapter, so you don't need an enclosure. With a tool like that I can test any 2.5" or 3.5" IDE/SATA drive, or connect it to backup data. If you cannot borrow one, you may ask a computer shop to test your drive. I hope they won't charge you much, but maybe the charge is comparable to buying a USB enclosure. The choice is yours. If you think the disk might work, buy the enclosure to use it afterwards.

    External hard drive is inaccessible-logilink-sata-ide-usb.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10
    Windows 10 ProN (Build 10240) x64
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Belated Update


    I apologize for necroing this thread, but, I didn't want to make another thread when all the necessary information is already in this thread. I waited until Black Friday to purchase the necessary equipment as I'm on a really tight budget this year.

    Back to the main topic, I followed the directions in the user's manual that came with the equipment and connected the hard drive to the SATA to USB adapter, then from the adapter to the computer. Afterwards, I flipped the switch to power the hard drive.

    It showed up just fine in This PC, and I could access the folders inside, but, when I tried to open a file, it stalled and when I tried to view it in Disk Management, the connection disconnected and I can't find the hard drive anywhere. I tried to redo the steps again, but, the same thing happened.
    Any ideas?

    Last edited by Lucifia; 30 Nov 2015 at 21:31. Reason: Newbie mistakes FTW (=_=; )
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #15

    Looks like the hard disk has a problem. Try recovering your data with a utility such as Recuva and copy to another drive. This utility can access data sector-by-sector without depending on the partition table, so it can recover most of your data, provided they are not corrupt by bad sectors. Then check your disk for errors with a utility such as WD Data LifeGuard Diagnostics. If it has problems you should replace it. At least you can use it for non-important storage. Don't use it for Windows.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10
    Windows 10 ProN (Build 10240) x64
    Thread Starter
       #16

    Thank you for the response, spapakons. I will try that, but, there's just one problem: how can I do that if the hard drive doesn't show up on computer at all? After my two attempts to connect the hard drive to the computer it hasn't shown up anywhere on my computer and I'm a little too scared to try again in case I ruin it even further.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #17

    Since it is a SATA try connecting directly to a computer as a second disk and do the recovery from there. If it doesn't show at all, ask for professional help.
      My Computer


 

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