Hi hope this is the right place and someone can help.
I had to convert my external hdd to ext3 ext4 in order to use with a zgemma box but I now want my hdd back to normal by formating it but my PC doesn't recognise it I done a long search on Google but no joy so I would appreciate it if someone could offer some advice here thanks.
Does it show up in Disk Management? You should be able to right click on the partitions/volumes shown and delete each volume. Then you can create a new partition, format it (probably want NTFS), and assign a drive letter.
If that doesn't work, then open a Command Prompt (Admin) or a Powershell (Admin) and run:
diskpart
list disk
select disk # <- replace # with the number of the external hard drive
clean <- this will erase the disk selected above - make sure it is the USB hard drive!
convert gpt <- this is optional. If you do not do this command you will get an MBR drive, not a GPT drive.
create part pri
format fs=ntfs quick
assign
exit
exit
Hi no that's the problem it doesn't even show up in disk management either so I can't do anything with it shows up in device manager but just shows up as unknown device tried uninstalling and reinstall but no good just shows up unknown thanks.
Does it show up in the list of drives when you run diskpart, list disk?
Also, try disconnecting the drive. Restart the computer by selecting RESTART from the power icon from the start menu. After the computer restarts, then plug the drive into a USB port. A black USB 2.0 port would be better than a blue USB 3.0 port until you can get it working again.
No again tried that and it just shows my onboard hdd pulling my hair out lol.
Sounds like the USB to SATA adapter is bad. Is this a big 3.5" desktop hard drive that requires a power supply? Is it plugged in and the power switch turned on?
No mate alot smaller than those just a cheapish job from ebay with a mini USB port and cable leading out with two male USB connectors thanks.
Then it sounds like the USB to SATA interface (the box the hard drive itself is in) is bad. You are plugging both USB connectors into separate USB ports? One of those connectors is for the data and power, the other is for supplemental power only. If you have only the connector for supplementary power plugged in then the computer won't see the hard drive.
But if you do have both USB connectors plugged into USB ports, then it sounds like the interface is bad.
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