Avoid external drive re-formatting

crickettnb

Honorable
Feb 6, 2014
1
0
10,510
How can I avoid needing to re-format my external hard drive, and losing saved memory?
I have files I don't want to lose, and computers say my external hard-drive needs to be formatted before it can be accessed.
 
Solution
Ouch! Search for drivers for that device. If you find any be sure to remove the old ones first (windows will often install generic drivers automatically when you plug the thing in for the first time, that can go either way as to the functionality of the component). If that doesn't work (and assuming you've tried different ports to use the thing) it may be too badly corrupted for use. Try connecting it to a friend or coworker's computer. If you get access to it, remove all of the data you want keep and reformat the thing. A fresh start never hurts.

Best of luck.

clayofthe757

Honorable
Feb 1, 2014
290
1
10,960
Ouch! Search for drivers for that device. If you find any be sure to remove the old ones first (windows will often install generic drivers automatically when you plug the thing in for the first time, that can go either way as to the functionality of the component). If that doesn't work (and assuming you've tried different ports to use the thing) it may be too badly corrupted for use. Try connecting it to a friend or coworker's computer. If you get access to it, remove all of the data you want keep and reformat the thing. A fresh start never hurts.

Best of luck.
 
Solution