PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: Kaz on March 24, 2009, 10:10
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Hi All,
I have a problem can you help please?
I have just pluged in my 500GB Hard Drive and I cant read it at all it says:-
''The File Name, Directory Name, or Volume label is Incorrect''
I named the drive and now it just comes up with Local Disk (H) I can't understands why this has happend? It was working ok the last time I used it which was yesterday. can anyone give me some advice, can I retrive whats on it maybe and get it back can anyone recommend anything please.
.it does have a 3 year garentee on it, but it's the stuff on it I want Pictures ect any help would be greatly appreciated as always
Thanks
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Someone more technical will be along soon, Kaz, but have you tried connecting to drive to another USB port?
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Can you try it on a different machine, Kaz? What happens if you look in Device Manager, is it flagged with a yellow triangle?
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Can you try it on a different machine, Kaz? What happens if you look in Device Manager, is it flagged with a yellow triangle?
Hi Rik
Have looked in Device Manager can't see any Yellow Triangle which one should I be looking at? I have also tried it on another pc and got the same problem :cry:
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Look in disk drives. If you can see the drive there, right click on it and select properties, does it say 'this device is working correctly'?
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Look in disk drives. If you can see the drive there, right click on it and select properties, does it say 'this device is working correctly'?
Ok I'v found it and it says This device is working properly
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Try it on another machine, if you still can't read it, I suspect it will have to be re-formatted. Run a chkdsk on it as well.
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Sounds like you may have a bit of corruption. Ensure that you use the "safely remove hardware" option before disconnecting the drive (or shut the system down normally before disconnecting it). This will ensure that any operating system (and drive) cache is emptied (ie really written to the disk).
I'd also suggest you reformat as Rik has suggested; if it doesn't work elsewhere.
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Try it on another machine, if you still can't read it, I suspect it will have to be re-formatted. Run a chkdsk on it as well.
though you can probably mount it with a linux boot cd - these are very robust at reading disks. I've recovered quite a few disks like this. Trying it on another machine is probably the best thing todo for now, but I would avoid reformatting unless absolutely necessary - you don't want to lose that data.
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It say's Optimize for quick removal so i can dissconect without using the Safe removal Icon I dont want to loose any data I have pictures on it and all sorts if I can get them back I would be happy any recommendations in doing this please. I have tried it on another PC and have the same problem :ack:
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If you can't read it on two PCs, the chances are it would need forensic data recovery, which is massively expensive. Run a CHKDSK and see if that can do anything but, tbh, if it can't I feel you have lost your data.
It's a bit late to say this, but for the future, never rely on a single backup of critical data, particularly if it's on a hard drive. I have a daily routine to copy all critical data to an internal HD, plus two external HDs and a DVD-RW (one for each day of the week). In addition, on Wednesdays I backup to another external HD which I keep off site, and do the same with a second external HD on Saturdays, again kept off site but at a different location. I'm a wee bit paranoid about backups, but since I used to earn my living from computer files, I learnt quickly that the investment in backups was worth every penny.
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If you can't read it on two PCs, the chances are it would need forensic data recovery, which is massively expensive. Run a CHKDSK and see if that can do anything but, tbh, if it can't I feel you have lost your data.
It's a bit late to say this, but for the future, never rely on a single backup of critical data, particularly if it's on a hard drive. I have a daily routine to copy all critical data to an internal HD, plus two external HDs and a DVD-RW (one for each day of the week). In addition, on Wednesdays I backup to another external HD which I keep off site, and do the same with a second external HD on Saturdays, again kept off site but at a different location. I'm a wee bit paranoid about backups, but since I used to earn my living from computer files, I learnt quickly that the investment in backups was worth every penny.
HI Rik,
I am a present using a recovery Prog it has found 11337 files so far, maybe ill be lucky and get most of it back (Watch this space)
I to have 4 external hard drive I backup to also DVD's (this drive and wouldn't it be sods laws) is where I put stuff to backup onto DVD ie all My pictures etc Music and so on I didn't give it a thought to backup this drive to another.
After I lost files last time I thought I had it all under control appears not so :ack: :sigh:
This hard drive has a 3 year guarantee do you think I should call them up and see what they say or should I just format it when Iv finished recovery fingers crossed I'm not sure I would feel happy with it if there is anything Else wrong with it
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Format and chkdsk, Kaz. If that's clear, then it should be OK, but in future I would suggest you use the 'safely remove' option - I have a couple of drives that won't let go of Windows until powerdown.
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Format and chkdsk, Kaz. If that's clear, then it should be OK, but in future I would suggest you use the 'safely remove' option - I have a couple of drives that won't let go of Windows until powerdown.
I am going to set that all external drives ask before removing usb I can do that can't I?
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You can.
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Sorry it's not good news for you, Kaz. Don't you just love computers? :(
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Sorry it's not good news for you, Kaz. Don't you just love computers? :(
Yes what with Microsoft Outlook and now this oh well, at least I know if I need help I have you guys ;) keep smiling if I dont ill :bawl:
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You can.
Rik, do I do this from device manager?
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Rik doesn't do the night shift, Kaz, but I'm sure he'll be about again in the morning, unless anyone can answer sooner. :)
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Sometimes I do. :) Yes, Device Manager for each drive while it's plugged in, Kaz.
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We'll have to start nailing your lid down at night! ;D
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I keep a crowbar in the coffin. :)
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:laugh:
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Just to let you all know
I GOT THEM ALL BACK I HAVE RETRIEVED ALL MY PICS 3000+
:yeaah::thumbs: :danceban: :rockban: :banana: :evilban: :party:
They are going straight on to DVD :solved:
couldn't get any other stuff back, but I have what I wanted My Pictures
Still cant solve the Bloody Outlook Problem :sigh:
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:congrats2: Kaz. That's wonderful news!
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:welldone: How did you manage it?
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Hi Si
:welldone: How did you manage it?
Hi Simon,
I am just backing up to Disk as I'm typing this I used Power Data Recovery it took 3 days!!!!! that incidentally didn't work although it did get all my files but they were all corrupt so I use Photo Recovery Genius they are all MT Solutions you can get a package deal so I have used Photo recovery genius and that has pulled all my photo's 3000+ and all my MP3 AVI WAV PNG MPEG GIF BITMAP files I havent chked the hard drive yet will let you know about that :thumbs:
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Sounds like a lucky escape! :)
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One word of caution, Kaz, DVDs are not the most reliable form of long term storage, particularly RW types.
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Hi
OK Iv ran Chkdisk on the hard drive took 17 hours said it had mended some clusters couldn't read it, it was t0 fast, anyway now I have looked at the drive there is nothing showing on the drive, but when I look at properties it says Used space 136,772.904 bytes FREE space 69,376,835,582 bytes Capacity 206,009,775,488 bytes but it's a 500GB hard Drive ? what do I do?
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One word of caution, Kaz, DVDs are not the most reliable form of long term storage, particularly RW types.
Looks like External Hard Drives arn't reliable either Rik :)x what can I do :dunno:
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Looks like External Hard Drives arn't reliable either Rik :)x what can I do :dunno:
multiple backups everywhere.
I just had my 3rd hard disk fail in two years at work - but then again I do thrash them.
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Hi
OK Iv ran Chkdisk on the hard drive took 17 hours said it had mended some clusters couldn't read it, it was t0 fast, anyway now I have looked at the drive there is nothing showing on the drive, but when I look at properties it says Used space 136,772.904 bytes FREE space 69,376,835,582 bytes Capacity 206,009,775,488 bytes but it's a 500GB hard Drive ? what do I do?
Some space is used by the filing system. However, if you've recovered all you want to, then re-format and don't slect the quick format option.
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Looks like External Hard Drives arn't reliable either Rik :)x what can I do :dunno:
What Sam said, Kaz, multiples are your best bet.
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Do you think that when I've reformatted the drive and all looks good, that I can trust this hard drive or will it have any defects with the cause of the corruption?
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depends what the check disk says - if it has bad blocks then I'd not trust it. Is it still under manufacturer's guarantee?
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I have done a Check disk and all is ok I have formatted the drive (long format) I have back all 500gb back 79.8 used it's now showing up on my list have renamed it and put some files on it as well all seems o be ok so I'm going to put a backup on it ans see what happens I wont put anything that is important to me for a while and Ill see how it goes
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Well done, Kaz! :thumb:
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I have now ran a diagnostic on the hard drive with SeaTools from http://www.seagate.com you can use this on ANY external hard drive it doesnt have to be seagate or max take a look it would be use full to anyone else that has this problem the only thing it can't do it is fix your hard drive if it's not a seagate or maxtor hard drive.
You can do quick diag or an in-depth one I did all and left it running all night, everything came up OK :thumbs:
I have now split the drive into 2 partitions so if It goes again (touch wood not) I wont loose all stuff I still have a 2 year guarantee left on this drive so 'Im not going to put anything on that's important for a while, but anything could happen at any time, by the way I have backed up all my pictures to DVD
:ithank:to you all who helped very much appreciated as always
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Glad you've got there, Kaz, it sounds to me like the file system got corrupted, are you using FAT or NTFS?
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Glad you've got there, Kaz, it sounds to me like the file system got corrupted, are you using FAT or NTFS?
NTFS Rik
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Rik, wasn't there a thing on Netters about certain Seagate drives? I'm wondering if Kaz has one of the dodgy ones?
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There was, and it's possible. Kaz, can you get the model and serial number of the drive using the Seagate software? NTFS is usually a robust filing system, so it may be one of the faulty drives you have there.
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Mine isn't a seagate drive it's a Medion I have 3 of them and never had any trouble with the others?
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That's just who makes the case it's in the HD will be from one of the big names, Kaz.
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That's just who makes the case it's in the HD will be from one of the big names, Kaz.
hard Drive Model Number is ST3500820AS
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That is a Seagate drive, Kaz, and you may want to refer to the info below, as I believe yours could be one of the affected drives:
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=207931
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That is a Seagate drive, Kaz, and you may want to refer to the info below, as I believe yours could be one of the affected drives:
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=207931
Hi Si
I have had a look and and gone through all the tests till the last one and it says my model number is wrong LOL how can it be wrong when it went thought all the other tests ok anyway I think I will get Medion to pick it up and check it out it's under guarantee so ill let them sort it out I think
/me sorted quote.
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That would be sensible, Kaz, as it's definitely a Seagate and potentially one of the suspect ones.
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Medion have collected the Hard drive, so watch this space ::)
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We will. :)
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Hi All,
Right I have my Hard Drive back they said that they couldn't find any thing wrong with it, they have done all tests on it and found nothing they even got intouch With Seagate about this suspect drive and they say it's not one of the problem one's and if it was Seagate should of informed them about this problem with hard drives, they didn't know anything about it till I mentioned I'd been on the site etc anyway they made several tests in depth ones when I said that I wasn't very happy with it and didn't trust it anymore this is what is on the drive now I'm going to reformat it again and just put this down as a learning curve I have also split the drive onto 2 parts and will start backing up onto my other drives and vice a versa I have also put pictures on to discs as well and also i will put some into that Virgin Space thingy
08:59 29/04/2009
This is a test document generated by the Medion UK workshop.
Tested with Western Digital Diagnostic Software.
Test Option: QUICK TEST
Model Number: ST350082 0AS
Unit Serial Number: N/A
Firmware Number:
Capacity: 500.11 GB
SMART Status: Not Available
Test Result: PASS
Test Time: 17:30:12, April 28, 2009
Test Option: EXTENDED TEST
Model Number: ST350082 0AS
Unit Serial Number: N/A
Firmware Number:
Capacity: 500.11 GB
SMART Status: Not Available
Test Result: PASS
Test Time: 08:58:56, April 29, 2009
So I suppose thats the end of that oh what a joy :crazy:
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It does seem as though you've gone to a lot of trouble, but I guess if the result is good, it was worth it. :)