Windows on "Preparing Automatic Repair"

SierraPorter · 22 Dec 2023

dalchina said:

Is F: the drive letter you expect - or does that refer to some other disk?

it is the letter I expect. I am going to try and see if i can get it to show in disk management and change it tho

jumanji · 23 Dec 2023

@dalchina

I haven't ever before tackled a problem of this sort. Not really in the domain of data recovery.

From what little I have read about it, an error of this sort can arise because of restricted drive permissions. How to Fix the “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error in Windows 10 & 11.

You may perhaps be better equipped to deal with it

.

dalchina · 23 Dec 2023

Thanks.. I've never seen anything like this myself..
@SierraPorter - does the drive remain visible to f. explorer for any longer now it's connected via a USB cable?

If so, I'd try to run Crystal Diskinfo.
If I had some confidence the physical drive appeared healthy, the problem would lie elsewhere.
You can start with the link jumanji posted.. but I'm just guessing.

As for tools, there are some advanced ones, but whether they would help at all- my guess is the problem is at a lower level.

For reference only:
DiskGenius: Data Recovery, Partition Manager, Backup & Disk Utilities

and there is a program called Testdisk
Partition Recovery and File Undelete
- but it's 'advanced' and not one I'm familiar with. Not to be used lightly and I really can't say if it would help here.

SierraPorter · 23 Dec 2023

thanks for the replies @dalchina & @jumanji

The drive does not stay on screen long enough to do anything. It shows up in disk manager for only a few seconds.

I think i am cutting my losses on this one. There is not a ton on data on the drive and none is critical. Most of the data was backed up not too long ago.

I called a data recovery guy near me and he wanted $350. A hundred bucks i would consider it. but 350 for what is on it is not worth it.

happy holidays