Disk cant Initialize, cant convert to GPT & shows as 0GB, "Read-Only"

Hi,

I’ve run into what seems to be a consequent string of issues with my HDD. I’m not very tech savvy or privy to the jargon, so please bear with me.

The disk in question is a 500gb Hitachi HDD and is actually from another computer, my HP Compaq desktop. The disk suddenly stopped working, as in, when I restarted my desktop, I would receive the following error message:

“Non-System Disk or Disk Error replace and strike any key when ready”

I search for the website on the disk label, but yielded no results. So, searching on the web for a solution, I came across numerous suggestions. I checked the cords plugged into the disk, and also the ports in which the cords were plugged to the motherboard… and to no avail. So I use a HDD docking device to plug the disk into my laptop in order to retrieve the files. I open “This PC” to find that the disk is not showing up in Windows Explorer. I open Disk management, and it shows as not initialized and also that there is 0gb capacity.

In order to access the drive from the Disk Manager in Windows 10, it must first be initialized. But when I try to initialize it using the MBR option, I get the following error:

“The device is not ready”

The drive also says “Offline” in the right-click drop down options. When I click “Offline” it gives me the same error message.

I then try to initialize the disk using the GPT option and receive this error message:

The specified disk is not convertible because the size is less than the minimum size required for GPT disks.




So, I search for a solution to this problem, I find a suggestion to use Minitools Partition wizard to “Rebuild MBR”, but when I open the wizard, the drive shows as “Read Only” with no partitions to select, and therefore no actionable options to try.



I find another suggestion to use command prompt (with Admin Privileges) using the following commands below:

1. Diskpart
2. list disks
3. select disk n (the disk in question)
4. clean

But when I get to step 4, type in clean and press Enter, I get a message saying:

“There is no volume selected. Please select a volume and try again.”


This led me to this article instructing me to use AOMEI Partition Assistant to convert the disk from MBR to GPT in an attempt to finally be able to format. Unfortunately, when I try to convert the disk from MBR to GPT, the software tells me there is not enough disk space when converting, which lead me here for support.
Can you please assist me in this very draining and frustrating issue?

Regards,
Corey

Hi SuperSaiyanSapp,

If unable to clear the read only attribute with diskpart, download HGST Windows Drive Fitness Test (WinDFT) and run the tests.
https://www.hgst.com/support/hard-dr.../downloads#DFT ( Read the WinDFT setup and User Guide on that page)

Usually when the drive becomes unfit with all reserved sectors filled and no more space for mapping the bad sectors, the drive controller shuts off the HDD as Read only to prevent you from saving any more data. The drive is dead.

If you want to recover any data you may have to contact professional data recovery agencies with clean room facility. No DIY data recovery is possible.

spunk said:

First off, while the HDD is in the USB Dock, does it sound like it is spinning up? Put your ear next to the drive, is it making a clicking or scrapping sound? Does it power up then power down? If so, the drive needs to be replaced.
In Diskpart, after typing List Disk, you type Select Disk 2, it should say Disk 2 is now Selected and it will have an Asterisk next to it meaning it is selected.
Now type attributes disk clear readonly and press enter. You should see the message Attributes Cleared Successfully.
Now you can type Clear and press enter.
If you want, You can Initialize the drive here by typing Convert MBR and press enter, or you can go back to Disk Management or Minitool to Initialize the drive MBR and Create a Partition and Format it.
If this fails, the drive is probably failing and needs to be replaced.

Listening to the HDD as it's been on for a few hours, it is currently spinning with no scrapping or clicking sound.

So I restarted the dock (power off/on), and it sounds like a rhythmic clicking loop. It does that for about 10 seconds, then stops. But still sounds like it's spinning just fine afterward.

In Diskpart, after typing List Disk, Select Disk 2 and pressing Enter, it comes up as what is shown in the picture in the original post - a long list of what looks, to me, like mumbo jumbo ...



Then I type attributes disk clear readonly, and it says :

There is no disk selected.Please select a disk and try again.

@Jumani, I will try the WinDFT software now. And I hope to God it doesn't come to needing professional assistance, as I'm sure it will cost a fortune.

Thank you both for the speedy replies!

It's good practice to make sure your hard drive is in optimal functioning order. With the help of hard drive diagnostic utility we can verify if said hard drive's are an imminent threat to the system or if they are on the verge of giving up making it a good option to backup data before it fails.

We're going to be using Hitachi's Drive Fitness Test tool which is applicable on drives outside of Hitachi like Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor and the likes.

Download the utility from this link



After you have install the utility, in the installation directory, right click WinDFT and Run as Administrator.

The application windows should show a lower pane with all the connected drives. If they aren't shown then you can click on Scan.

Click on the boxes to the left of the pane and click on Quick Test or Ext Test. The Ext refers to Extended which as it's name implies will require more time for a thorough analysis of the hard drive in question.



Once the diagnostic tools run is complete it should show a Pass or Fail remark as the final report.

Word Man said:

Close but no cigar. It shows in second diskpart frame you typed "Disk 2", not "Select Disk 2".

Wow, careless mistake. Well, I went ahead and tried to run the correct command and got this:


What could this mean?

FreeBooter said:

The application windows should show a lower pane with all the connected drives. If they aren't shown then you can click on Scan.

The only drive that showed up was the internal drive of the laptop, and not the drive connected through USB. I restarted the computer and also shut off/on the dock again to see if there would be a difference, but to no avail.

Is there anything else I can do to get it to show?

jumanji said:

Can you bring a dead man alive?
My post #3
"The drive is dead.
If you want to recover any data you may have to contact professional data recovery agencies with clean room facility. No DIY data recovery is possible."

My lord, I am deeply saddened by this. But thank you all so much for the help! I will look into getting professional assistance. Hopefully I can manage the costs.

Thanks again, friends