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Question

External HD requiring formatting

Aug 15, 2016 4:40AM PDT

When I click to open it it requires me to format it, which will, of course, wipe off all files on it. I haven't backed up a THING on it just yet, can anybody offer any help at all?
What type of a problem could possibly be going on?
TIA

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I don't think anyone can tell you...
Aug 15, 2016 7:40AM PDT

what the problem/s might be. My suggestion is to try this Hdd. on different computer, and if you are getting the same result, then you know it's either the external case or the Hdd. itself is the problem.

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Answer
You can guess you don't want to format.
Aug 15, 2016 8:09AM PDT

But as noted try it on other machines and be ready to copy the contents out.

Before I tell you what I'm having good luck with, NEVER WRITE TO A FAILING DRIVE.

We only read from it. I've had good luck with RECUVA which is mentioned in the Storage Forum sticky at http://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/lost-and-found-or-the-storage-forum-sticky-354911/

-> This means you need space to hold what's on the external since we can't fix it without risking total loss.

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Answer
Advanced techniques
Aug 17, 2016 2:21PM PDT

First clone the harddrvie bit by bit using any cloning tool, like clonezilla

second, take the clone and play around with it:

one thing i would suggest, do a quick format, which only wipes out the TOC, then go ahead and use a program like getdataback ntfs to grab your old files..

that said if the head of the hard drive is not broken.

***** Note: Irrelevant link removed by moderator.

Post was last edited on August 17, 2016 2:30 PM PDT