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WD My Book Essential 2TB External Issues Nov13

Tags:
  • Western Digital
  • Book
  • Storage
  • Format
Last response: in Storage
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November 22, 2013 10:29:53 AM

Hello.
I have a 2tb My Book Essential drive which has become inaccessible since I inadvertently powered down the drive without first doing the 'safely remove the device and eject media' routine. The first time I subsequently turned-on the computer I received the normal message advising me the drive can operate faster if connected to a hi speed port, then immediately was shown the "You need to format drive 'X:' before you can use it. Do you want to format it?" pop-up prompt. Then it seems to get into a loop of connecting, disconnecting, connecting, etc...on its own, with the same 'it can be faster...' and 'you need to format...' pop-ups over and over again. A corresponding My Computer drive letter comes and goes with each cycle. It is not responsive to access attempts in ways I know using DOS prompt or Windows 7.

I have tried to access drive using TestDisk and Active@Partition. Both reported they found the physical drive; however, neither could access or read the drive.

I have extensively researched similar topics on the forum, plus on the WD site; however, I could no other additional ideas which I felt within my moderate technical ability realm.

By the way, I do have a second and identical drive (sequential serial numbers) which works flawlessly. I mention this in case having such might help me get the former recovered.

I would greatly appreciate some assistance and ideas with this issue.

Thank you much.

More about : book essential 2tb external issues nov13

a b G Storage
November 22, 2013 11:39:44 AM

Are both drives using USB3 or USB2
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a c 298 G Storage
November 22, 2013 11:42:17 AM

First try to change the USB cable of the drive, see what happens. If the problem persists then you have to open/break the caddy/case of the drive and have to connect it directly to the MB of a Desktop system, hopefully that will help.
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November 22, 2013 12:17:34 PM

elmo2006 said:
Are both drives using USB3 or USB2


Both now on USB2; however, respective conditions remain when I connect each to USB3.

I have tried both USB2 and 3 connections on 3 different computers, using on-board USB connections, add-in cards, and remote hubs. The only common denominator was each had Win7 OS. Results constant on all configurations.
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November 22, 2013 12:27:34 PM

lonewolf7 said:
First try to change the USB cable of the drive, see what happens. If the problem persists then you have to open/break the caddy/case of the drive and have to connect it directly to the MB of a Desktop system, hopefully that will help.


I did try switch to known working cable, but no joy. I am not sure how to do the other action suggested, but will keep for later consideration, if needed. Thx for suggestions.
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a b G Storage
November 22, 2013 12:31:14 PM

lonewolf7 said:
First try to change the USB cable of the drive, see what happens. If the problem persists then you have to open/break the caddy/case of the drive and have to connect it directly to the MB of a Desktop system, hopefully that will help.


abq2020 said:
elmo2006 said:
Are both drives using USB3 or USB2


Both now on USB2; however, respective conditions remain when I connect each to USB3.

I have tried both USB2 and 3 connections on 3 different computers, using on-board USB connections, add-in cards, and remote hubs. The only common denominator was each had Win7 OS. Results constant on all configurations.


If the condition exists on other computers then I would return said drive for a exchange or submit for RMA.

I would not bother dismantling the device as I'm certain you still have warranty on it.
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November 22, 2013 12:42:24 PM


If the condition exists on other computers then I would return said drive for a exchange or submit for RMA.

I would not bother dismantling the device as I'm certain you still have warranty on it.[/quotemsg]

Warranty? YES. :-)
Much data on disk? YES. :-(
Guess I should have backed-up the back-up of the back-up...
Cheers, and thank you!!
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a b G Storage
November 22, 2013 12:44:24 PM

abq2020 said:

If the condition exists on other computers then I would return said drive for a exchange or submit for RMA.

I would not bother dismantling the device as I'm certain you still have warranty on it.


Warranty? YES. :-)
Much data on disk? YES. :-(
Guess I should have backed-up the back-up of the back-up...
Cheers, and thank you!![/quotemsg]

Try using an Ubuntu disk to boot your computer then try to access the data off the drive.
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