WD External HD Error: Not Formatted

simkan1 · Feb 10, 2016

Hi,

I have a Western Digitial 320GB External Hard Drive which suddenly came up with an error when I was transferring a file from it to my computer (Windows XP): I don't remember the error message but I think it said the file cannot be found.

When I unplugged and replugged the drive it was recognised as an unformatted drive; I tried it on another machine and it was the same there too.

I found a thread which sugessted the TestDisk software which I tried and found that all the files are still on the drive, but I would like to know if whatever the problem is can be fixed so that I can access the files as before--otherwise I would have to buy a second drive to copy the files (via TestDisk), as I don't have the storage space to copy them to anywhere else.

Thanks,
Simon

D_Know_WD · Feb 11, 2016

Hi there simkan1,

Sorry that you are facing some issues with your WD drive.

Do you usually use the 'safely eject' function.
There are a couple of reasons that could cause that. In both cases, it would be best to save all the recovered data to another drive. You can just borrow a drive from somebody.
1st one: You have ejected the drive while transferring data, without safely ejecting it first.
2nd one: The drive is failing. You can see if this is the case, if you just test it with WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic tool(both short and extended test): http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=2u7I0Z

Keep in mind that you need to recover the data first and test the drive after that.

Is the drive under warranty?

Apart from all this, it will not hurt to just use a different USB cable.

Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD

simkan1 · Feb 11, 2016

Hi D_Know_WD,

I use the eject option except on the odd occassions when it won't let me do it for some reason, in which case I just unplug the drive. I have had it for years and it's no longer under warranty, but I have never had any problems with it until now when an error came up during a file transfer to the PC--since then the drive is recognised as unformatted but TestDisk shows that all the files are still there (plus I have been able to copy files via TestDisk to my PC, but I don't have nearly enough storage space to copy them all).

So I was just enquiring whether there is a way to get the PC to recognise it properly as before, otherwise I will have to get a second drive to copy the files to, format it, then copy them back. So if you have any ideas please let me know, otherwise I will get the second drive.

Thanks,
Simon

D_Know_WD :

D_Know_WD · Feb 12, 2016

Well, storing the data on another drive is really the safest way.
Another thing you can try is to run disk check: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/check-your-hard-disk-for-errors
Though, keep in mind that if your drive has some bad sectors on it, this will reallocate them and could result in data loss in some cases.

Cheers,
D_Know_WD

simkan1 · Feb 13, 2016

I've just borrowed another drive and when I get a chance I'll backup my files then try the disk check you suggested--then I'll post here again to confirm the results.

Thanks again for your help,
Simon

D_Know_WD :

simkan1 · Feb 19, 2016

I tried the disk check but nothing happened, so I had to format the drive. The TestDisk software was very useful as I was able to copy my files first and then copy them back after the format, and everything seems to be fine now.

Thanks again for your help,
Simon

D_Know_WD · Feb 22, 2016

It's great you've sorted this out.

It would be nice if you check the drive's health with WD's DLG tool or some of these third party tools: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility

Cheers,
D_Know_WD

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