Disk won't Initialize, won't convert to GPT and shows as 0GB, "Read-Only"

Nov 12, 2017
3
0
510
Hi,

I’ve run into what seems to be a consequent string of issues with my HDD. I’m not very tech savvy or privy to the jargon, so please bear with me.

The disk in question is a 500gb Hitachi HDD and is actually from another computer, my HP Compaq desktop. The disk suddenly stopped working, as in, when I restarted my desktop, I would receive the following error message:

  • “Non-System Disk or Disk Error replace and strike any key when ready”

I search for the website on the disk label, but yielded no results. So, searching on the web for a solution, I came across numerous suggestions. I checked the cords plugged into the disk, and also the ports in which the cords were plugged to the motherboard… and to no avail. So I use a HDD docking device to plug the disk into my laptop in order to retrieve the files. I open “This PC” to find that the disk is not showing up in Windows Explorer. I open Disk management, and it shows as not initialized and also that there is 0gb capacity.

In order to access the drive from the Disk Manager in Windows 10, it must first be initialized. But when I try to initialize it using the MBR option, I get the following error:

“The device is not ready”

The drive also says “Offline” in the right-click drop down options. When I click “Offline” it gives me the same error message.

I then try to initialize the disk using the GPT option and receive this error message:

The specified disk is not convertible because the size is less than the minimum size required for GPT disks.




So, I search for a solution to this problem, I find a suggestion to use Minitools Partition wizard to “Rebuild MBR”, but when I open the wizard, the drive shows as “Read Only” with no partitions to select, and therefore no actionable options to try.



I find another suggestion to use command prompt (with Admin Privileges) using the following commands below:

1. Diskpart
2. list disks
3. select disk n (the disk in question)
4. clean

But when I get to step 4, type in clean and press Enter, I get a message saying:

“There is no volume selected. Please select a volume and try again.”



This led me to this article instructing me to use AOMEI Partition Assistant to convert the disk from MBR to GPT in an attempt to finally be able to format. Unfortunately, when I try to convert the disk from MBR to GPT, the software tells me there is not enough disk space when converting, which lead me here for support.

Can you please assist me in this very draining and frustrating issue?

Regards,
Corey
 
Nov 12, 2017
3
0
510


I used WinDFT to check the drive is in functional order, but with the scan it, the only drive that shows up is the internal drive of the laptop and not the HDD from the dock.
 


Backup a bit, this drive you are talking about is inside an external USB dock? And you did not actually scan it? Not sure what is happening here, if you said the drive did not scan because it only shows the internal laptop one, how can you say you checked the disk? You are leaving out some info here. SeaTools should run a check on a USB connected drive, try that. I am guessing the drive is trashed, if diskpart could not do anything with the drive, that is not a good sign.
 
Nov 12, 2017
3
0
510


Replying in case anyone else has this problem.

To answer your question, yes the drive in question is in the external USB dock, and using WinDFT, it scanned for any USB or internal drives. The drive in the USB dock did not show up in the scan results. I've come to learn from another source that this means my drive (in the USB dock) is dead and I will need to send it to professional facility in order to retrieve my files.

Thanks for your time anyway, mate!