HDD access denied due to 'Parameter is incorrect' (Win10 Pro - 21H2)

Continuing.......

If you have created a shortcut of testdisk_win.exe on the Desktop, rightclick on it and Run as administrator.

Screen1: [No Log] Press Enter ( You will use the Up/Down Left/Right arrow keys to highlight/select any field in the TestDisk window)

Screen 2: All Internal and external disks connected to the system should be seen by TestDisk. Highlight/Select your faulty 1TB external HDD (identified by its capacity)
[Proceed] is already highlighted. Press Enter

Screen 3: Highlight/Select [[Intel] - Intel/PC partition (if it is not already highlighted ) Enter (Since your disk is an MBR disk, make sure [Intel] is highlighted.)

Screen 4: Highlight/Select [Advanced] - Filesystem utils Enter

Screen 5: All partitions in the 1TB external disk seen by TestDisk should show up. Highlight/Select the 931.51 GB partition ( It may be shown as MS Data partition). Is [Boot] highlighted? Enter

Screen 6: will show the status of the Boot sector and Backup boot sector.

Various possibilities exist:

1. Boot sector - Bad
Backup boot sector - OK
Execute the [Backup BS] command .(highlight and press Enter) ( writes the backup to the start sector of the partitïon when you confirm "y" in the next screen)

2. Boot sector - Bad
Backup boot sector - Bad
Execute [Rebuild BS] command (highlight and press Enter) ( Rebuilds the Volume Boot Record and writes it into the Partition start sector. The backup sector also written with the rebuilt boot record, making both identical.In an MBR disk the backup is written to the last sector of the partition/volume.)

3. Boot sector - OK
Backup boot sector - Bad
Execute [ORG. BS] command. ( this will copy the original boot record in the partition start sector to the backup sector)

Any of the above three operations should repair the boot sectors and make your drive accessible.

Close TestDisk. A system reboot is required.

Please remember whenever you see a [List] command in the page, give that command and see if the files are listed. If the files are not listed you can go back to the previous page by [Quit] Command or pressing "Q" .

The fourth possibility and an important one:
Boot Sector - OK
Backup Boot sector - OK
Hmmm... both are good. Then what is the problem? MFT???
You will execute [Repair MFT] command. ( Always highlight/select the command and press Enter for TestDisk to execute the command)

If TestDisk says "Both MFT and MFT mirror are OK" close TestDisk. You will run check disk on that volume to correct the file system corruption.

Caution: You will run checkDisk only and if only TestDisk confirms that your MFT Mirror/MFT is OK. Be patient and allow checkdisk to complete even if it takes hours and hours. Checkdisk is checking all filesystem parameters and correcting where necessary. Interrupting checkdisk halfway through will leave your data in shambles)

Run check disk from an elevated command prompt - run as administrator.

Type CHKDSK K: /f /v /r /x Press Enter.

Note: 1. There is a space before every /
2. Replace K: with the actual drive letter of the partition to be checked. In your case it may be the 931.51GB J: drive - the only partition.

Allow check disk to complete.Do not, do not, do not interrupt for any reason.

If TestDisk says it is unable to repair MFT, you will have to use a commercial software to recover the files - GetDataBack (USD80) or active @ File recovery (USD 30). These are "try before you buy" software. If these show your files, you may be able to preview/open the files and check the file integrity. You can buy a license only when you are satisfied.

If at any point you have a doubt in running TestDisk and require clarification post the screenshot and quit TestDisk. ( I will see the screenshot only tomorrow morning - 8 hours from now - since I am going to bed now.)

( You can close TestDisk anytime by pressing [Quit] / repeatedly pressing "Q"/ by clicking on X in the top right side of Title Bar)

Note: For screenshots of TestDisk workflow, you can see post #6 onwards in this thread WD Elements being read as RAW // Contents readable through app - Windows 7 Forums

I am off for the day. Have a good day.

Hello @mecmec,

I had a problem which was resolved using TestDisk here . . .

> 3 TB WD External Hard Drive NOT Working [ RAW ]

It might give you an insight into how useful TestDisk is in these sort of situations.

It was resolved all thanks to @jumanji. There are instructions and screen shots which might also help you !

I hope this helps.

@mecmec

Paul Black's case was different. His HDD was an advance formatted 3TB MBR disk. with a logical sector size of 4096. It required a sector size change when taken out of its enclosure and plugged in directly to the motherboard SATA port/his dock.. This was done using TestDisk. The screenshots in that case does not apply to your case with a regular format in which the physical and logical sector size is the same 512. ( You can go upto screen 3 in that thread which is common. Beyond that it is Paul Black specific - rather his 3TB advanced formatted MBR HDD specific going into [Geometry] and changing the sector size - not relevant to your case.)

I shall deal with your case and your last post after a short break - rest for my eyes.

mecmec said:

@jumanji



My faulty disk is listed twice - which one to select?

- - - Updated - - -
@jumanji

Forget my previous post - I have found the answer in the other thread.

- - - Updated - - -
@jumanji

I have reached screen 6 - with this result:

Awaiting further instructions.

I am a bit surprised to see both disk and partition J: listed in TestDisk. ( This may be due to the HDD in the dock condition or the HDD has its partition start sector at sector 63. Current partitioning/formatting software put the partition start sector at sector 2048. Old HDDs may have the start sector at sector 63)

Do as follows:

First select Disk /dev/sdc-1000GB /931GIB and proceed. In the screen that says Boot sector OK , Backup boot sectror OK, highlight /select [List] and Enter

Does it show your files in the next screen? Take a screenshot.

Press Q twice to go back and then highlight/select Drive J: - 1000GB /931GIB and proceed. In the screen that says Boot sector OK , Backup boot sectror OK, highlight /select [List] and Enter

Does it show your files in the next screen? Take a screenshot.

My common/uncommon sense tells me both should list files. But even if either one shows the files it is OK.

Post the screenshots. ( If there is an error message also take a screenshot and post)

Off for my shower ( actually a bucket bath: Not to wet my eyes for 15 days after the eye surgery , I am forbidden taking a head/shower bath)

@mecmec

That is very unfortunate and bad indeed. What I presumed did not happen has infact happened. The file corruption was indeed in the Master File Table and checkdisk initiated on 06/07 March has deleted all or most of the data. Two new root level directories have been created and I see only one Anders file and two Battle Field related expansion packs (???? my guess. I am not a gamer.), found.000 and found.001 created by checkdisk during the cleaning process may contain partial/damaged/ corrupt/orphaned files.

Please move the highlight to the Second level directory ( now it is on the first level Directory), press Enter and check whether it shows any files. Post the screenshot.

In the Second screeenshot where you have highlighted the drive J: , Testdisk has automatically selected [none] as partition type. Move it to [Intel] - Intel/PC Partition and press Enter. Check whether it shows any files. Post a screenshot.

Note: We are only making a desperate attempt hoping something may click miraculously

If you have Hard Disk Sentinel installed, post a screenshot indicating its health

@mecmec

Enjoy your son's birthday. Happy birthday to your son..



I will also revert to my usual routine since there is nothing more I can do in this thread. Tomorrow at my leisure I will do a closure report on this with my findings - right or wrong - and further inputs you can pursue if you want to. This is a second instance I have encountered where a system initiated or user initiated check disk spoilt the broth.