Hard drive not recognised when trying to transfer content to new PC with SATA to USB cable

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 24, 2016

I am trying to transfer content off my old hard drive onto my new PC. I have found instructions on how to do this on your website a few days ago, (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/262335-32-files-hard-drive-sata-cable) but I cannot complete the final step.

After "All Task" I should get the option "Change Drive Letters & Path....." but this does not appear in the dropdown box. Although it wants me to initialise the disc but when I try this I get an error message "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error"

The operating system on my previous computer (the hard drive I'm trying to get into) and my current OS are different, although Windows, is this a problem? I'm starting to fear the worst which is that my hard drive is fried. HELP PLEASE??

Boogieman_WD · Nov 25, 2016

Hey there!

Unfortunately, having in mind the drive is not properly recognized (your OS "sees" it as not initialized) and the fact that you get an input/output error when you try to initialize it, it all points to a faulty HDD. If you have a different drive you could try with that SATA to USB adapter, it would be nice to give it go, just so that we're sure that it's not an issue with the cable itself.
Another option would be to try and connect the drive internally via a standard SATA connection, as a secondary storage HDD, to see if it's properly recognized.
For data recovery you could try accessing the HDD via Ubuntu Live USB, to see if that OS is capable of properly recognizing the partitions so that you can get to your files. Data recovery software is also an option, however, chances are pretty slim since most programs won't be able to recognize a drive which is not initialized: https://www.lifewire.com/free-data-recovery-software-tools-2622893.
Your last but not least, perhaps going for a professional solution, such as a data recovery company, might turn out to be the savior you're looking for.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

I have tried my method with two different HD's actually, same result with both, so Im hopeful its not due to a faulty HD. Apparently I was lucky that the initialising didn't work as that wipes data, I did NOT know that previously!

"Another option would be to try and connect the drive internally via a standard SATA connection, as a secondary storage HDD"
Would that mean I would have to 'open up' my PC? As its brand new, not an option I would consider at this point.

"Ubuntu Live USB", is that hardware (another cable) or downloadable software?

I will try the software from lifewire.com

If all else fails I'll have a chat with my computer guy, who is great but has a large pricetag unfortunately.

Thanks for your help, I have some options to play with now.

ArtPog · Nov 25, 2016

Perhaps we should back up a moment and see if this problem can be sorted out...

1. First of all I'm assuming that your sole objective is to connect your "old" HDD to your new system so that it will serve as a secondary drive so that you can access data from that disk and presumably copy or move desired data to an internally-connected drive in your new system. That's right, yes?

2. I note you've connected the "old" HDD via a SATA-to-USB cable. Frankly we no longer work with those devices since we've found too many of them erratic in operation and quite often completely defective. Now I'm aware many users find them acceptable and your cable might be perfectly fine. We prefer to work with USB external enclosures & docking stations as external devices.

3. After you connect the HDD to the system and access Disk Management I take it the drive appears in the DM listing, right? Have you noted whether a drive letter has been assigned to that disk? If not, assign a drive letter to the disk and perhaps if that's the problem your problem will vanish.

4. Assuming that's not the problem...why did you initially opt to initialize the disk? DM indicated the drive was devoid of data? No partitions had been created? The DM schematic indicated "unallocated" disk-space? Why?

5. You should definitely use a HDD diagnostic program to test the health of the disk. Have you done so?
The major drive manufacturers have such tools available, e.g., WD, Seagate, etc.

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

"1. First of all I'm assuming that your sole objective is to connect your "old" HDD to your new system so that it will serve as a secondary drive so that you can access data from that disk and presumably copy or move desired data to an internally-connected drive in your new system. That's right, yes?"
YES, SPOT ON

"2. I note you've connected the "old" HDD via a SATA-to-USB cable. Frankly we no longer work with those devices since we've found too many of them erratic in operation and quite often completely defective. Now I'm aware many users find them acceptable and your cable might be perfectly fine. We prefer to work with USB external enclosures & docking stations as external devices."
THE CABLE WAS CHEAP, SO YES, WORTH A GO...

"3. After you connect the HDD to the system and access Disk Management I take it the drive appears in the DM listing, right? Have you noted whether a drive letter has been assigned to that disk? If not, assign a drive letter to the disk and perhaps if that's the problem your problem will vanish"
THE DRIVE APPEARS BUT HAS NO LETTER ALLOCATED, IT WONT LET ME ASSIGN ONE EITHER (ACCORDING TO ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS, SEE MY FIRST POST)

"4. Assuming that's not the problem...why did you initially opt to initialize the disk? DM indicated the drive was devoid of data? No partitions had been created? The DM schematic indicated "unallocated" disk-space? Why?"
I ATTEMPTED TO INITIALISE BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION I WAS PROVIDED WITH AND BECAUSE I AM NOT VERY EXPERIENCED WITH COMPUTERS SO DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD THING TO DO, GLAD IT DIDN'T WORK. I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU A SCREENPRINT

"5. You should definitely use a HDD diagnostic program to test the health of the disk. Have you done so?
The major drive manufacturers have such tools available, e.g., WD, Seagate, etc."
I HAVE INSTALLED SOME SOFTWARE FROM LIFEWIRE.COM AS SUGGESTED BY SOMEONE PREVIOUSLY COMMENTING. UNFORTUNATELY THIS SOFTWARE DOES NOT RECOGNISE THE 'OLD' HD EITHER. I WILL HAVE A SHOP AROUND ON SEAGATE WHICH IS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE HD IN QUESTION

ArtPog · Nov 25, 2016

You may very well be dealing with a defective HDD and the possibility that whatever data that was on that disk may not be recoverable. But we can't tell if that is so at this point. In any event, since you've indicated the drive is a Seagate download & run their diagnostic tool (SeaTools for Windows) at...
http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

Thanks for your reply, I have downloaded and run the Seagate Diagnostic Tool but it doesn't recognise the old HD either. The only option which has come close to accessing the data was the Seagate File Recovery Suite as it recognised the SATA/USB connection but showed it as having 0 Bytes content.

What is your opinion on swapping HD's over in my PC, have an OS running on it? If data is corrupted, am I going to damage my brand spanking new PC??

USAFRet · Nov 25, 2016

1. Is this a 3.5" desktop hard drive that you are trying to connect via USB?

2. What specific cable or device are you using to connect this?

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

Is this a 3.5" desktop hard drive that you are trying to connect via USB?
Not sure, its a 500GB Seagate Barracuda - 7200 RPM

2. What specific cable or device are you using to connect this?
A SABRENT 2.5" SATA HD to USB 3.0 (so does that mean my HD is 2.5" then?)

USAFRet · Nov 25, 2016

DoubleDutch1971 :

That's probably a regular 3.5" drive.

With this cable...one end simply plugs into the 2 SATA connections (data and power) and on the other end the USB?
Looks like this?

If so, and if this is a regular 3.5" drive...this will never work. At all.
A 3.5" desktop drive needs an active power source. It cannot run simply from the USB connection.

USAFRet · Nov 25, 2016

What is the model number on the label of this hard drive?

ArtPog · Nov 25, 2016

DoubleDutch1971 :

Thanks for your reply, I have downloaded and run the Seagate Diagnostic Tool but it doesn't recognise the old HD either. The only option which has come close to accessing the data was the Seagate File Recovery Suite as it recognised the SATA/USB connection but showed it as having 0 Bytes content.

What is your opinion on swapping HD's over in my PC, have an OS running on it? If data is corrupted, am I going to damage my brand spanking new PC??

Well it does seem you're dealing with a defective drive. You could try various recovery programs and hope for the best. If you're so inclined take a look at this site for a listing of those types of (freely available) programs...
https://www.lifewire.com/free-data-recovery-software-tools-2622893

I'm not entirely clear on your question re if "swapping HD's" that contain an OS and (also?) "corrupted data" will negatively affect a "new PC". Are you referring to a situation where the "new PC" contains a fully functional OS and you install one or more secondary drives in the system that may be corrupt for one reason or another? If that's the question, no, there would be no negative effect on the new system insofar as its basic operation is concerned other, of course, that data would not be available to you from those "corrupted" secondary drives. Of course, we're assuming there's no viruses/malware lurking on those drives, right?

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

This is the cable I'm using

A 3.5" desktop drive needs an active power source. It cannot run simply form the USB connection.
How would I provide this? Do I need what they call a caddie?

What is the model number on the label of this hard drive?
ST500DM002

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

Well it does seem you're dealing with a defective drive. You could try various recovery programs and hope for the best. If you're so inclined take a look at this site for a listing of those types of (freely available) programs...
https://www.lifewire.com/free-data-recovery-software-tools-2622893
Thanks but this was the first software I tried, no joy Im afraid

I'm not entirely clear on your question re if "swapping HD's" that contain an OS and (also?) "corrupted data" will negatively affect a "new PC". Are you referring to a situation where the "new PC" contains a fully functional OS and you install one or more secondary drives in the system that may be corrupt for one reason or another? If that's the question, no, there would be no negative effect on the new system insofar as its basic operation is concerned other, of course, that data would not be available to you from those "corrupted" secondary drives. Of course, we're assuming there's no viruses/malware lurking on those drives, right?

I basically meant swapping the HD of my new computer with the one Im trying to access.So then the 'old' HD will have a power source and run by an OS??? And saving my data on USB storage, put new HD back in, transfer data from USB storage onto new HD. Keep in mind Im not computer person so this idea might make an expert wanna pull their hair out.
But having no idea what 'corrupted' the old HD in the first place.... there might BE a virus...But dont you run that risk anyway with connecting it up? Have a pretty decent anti virus program, but of course that is installed on the 'new' HD.

USAFRet · Nov 25, 2016

That is a standard desktop 3.5" hard drive.
This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

That is the USB cable I suspected.

That will never work.
Stop all this faffing about with software and diagnostics. There is likely nothing wrong with that drive.
The USB interface alone cannot provide enough power to run that drive.

2 options.
1. A USB connected SATA dock. This will also have a cable that plugs into the wall.
or
2. Connect it internally in your PC, with the regular SATA power and data cables.

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

Thanks, the second option Im hoping to avoid.
Will have a shop around for a dock, I feel rather silly not realising a USB connection would not provide sufficient power. I charge my phone and my Ipod through USB, so assumed it would work.
Any particular dock you would recommend?

USAFRet · Nov 25, 2016

There is likely nothing wrong with that drive.

I take that back.
There might be now, after all the messing around you've done with it.

The only way to know is to connect it with whatever proper connection you desire.
Either internally, or externally with a powered USB dock.

Do nothing else with that drive until you have it properly connected to your PC.

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

Yes, disconnected the cable, the HD is safely in a box.
Ive run a few diagnostic programs and managed to stop initialising in its tracks, so I don't think i've done any damage. But not playing around anymore, getting a dock is my next action.
Thanks for your help

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 25, 2016

One more question, what docking station would you recommend, there's so many out there

USAFRet · Nov 26, 2016

DoubleDutch1971 :

No specific experience with this one, but I see no real reason it would not work.
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Docking-Station-DS-UBLK/dp/B00IKAQ538

Your 'initialization' attempts may have killed off whatever data was on there originally.

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 26, 2016

Your 'initialization' attempts may have killed off whatever data was on there originally
If this is correct, I've certainly learned the hard way not to do this anymore.
Im struggling to find a 'single' docking station here in the UK, but I now have a way forward.
Thanks again

Saga Lout · Nov 26, 2016

Try Maplins to see if your local branch has this unit:-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/dual-25-and-35-inch-sata-usb-hard-drive-dock-with-card-reader-a17jr

DoubleDutch1971 · Nov 26, 2016

Thanks but Im in the UK, have ordered a docking station in the meantime, fingers crossed

Hard drive not recognised when trying to transfer content to new PC with SATA to USB cable

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