[hevanne]

So Ive hunted around and cant seem to find an answer to this. Ive got a WD External hard drive been working fine until it started saying it needed scanning and checking or something like that however when i clicked yes it wouldnt let me, so that carried on and now I have a big problem.

When I plug my hard drive in it makes the usb connection noise but no hard drive in My Computer. So I would have a look in computer managment its there but as:
Disk 1
Unknown
298.09 GB
Not Initialized

but it wont let me initialize it because of a I/O error. Ive uninstalled drivers still no help.

Also its not listed at the top where it says volume, layout, type, file system etc. Only at the bottom where it is Disk 0, Disk 1, CD-ROM 0

Please help I have 1000's of photos on there I just dont want to lose.
Thank you in advance.

[CaseSensivity]

Plug the USB connection into the PC

Take out the power cable

Plug in the power cable

That worked last time I had this

[hevanne]

Nope it makes the Usb connection noise but still not working used the WD dianostic thing and it came back

cable test read diagnostics sector error

[Freemorrison]

Take a look at this thread - hopefully it will help, maybe 1st thing to do would be going into safe mode and doing a thorough disk check?
I have XP Pro so I really don't have any experience with 7 - I do have an external 500GB Seagate that acts up now and then similar to the problems you are experiencing.
http://www.blogsdna.com/2159/how-to-...-windows-7.htm

[hevanne]

I have no way of taking ownership as it doesnt show up in my computer so I cant get into properties.
Also could you explain the safe mode and doing the disk check? I really dont understand how to do it
thanks again

[hevanne]

Might I just need a new A-B Usb cable? Ive got one ordered along with a new external hard drive.

[Freemorrison]

It doesn't sound like a cable problem - but I could be wrong and that's good thing to rule out right away.
http://www.windows7news.com/forum/wi...-in-windows-7/
http://www.w7forums.com/safe-mode-t1497.html

[hevanne]

Thats great then how do I do a disk check? Is it error checking in properties?

[DoubleHelix]

It sounds like at the least the external case controller died and at worst the drive itself died. Some people recommend, in this case, prying the drive out of its enclosure and connecting it directly to the motherboard internally. That eliminates problems with the enclosure.

I assume you've already tried connecting it to another computer just to rule out a problem with your system, but I highly doubt that's the problem.

[hevanne]

I only have access to a laptop the one Im using. If the drive is dead would it still show up in device management?

[Freemorrison]

Sorry- ya - hopefully that drive will show up in safe mode - then if it were me I would check both boxes to scan for errors. ( this may take a while depending on the amount of files you have - mine was about 3 hours - with 175G of music and etc folders)

If the drive does show up in safe mode also check the security settings and make sure you have full access.

If it doesn't show up in safe mode then more than likely it's the cable?

[DoubleHelix]

You can get SATA or IDE to USB adapters that might work with the drive.

You got some clear signals the drive was dying. It's not detected at all by the operating system. This isn't an issue of security, access, or any other type of software problem. You're looking at hardware failure at this point. You can either try what I'm suggesting or take it to a professional and pay for data recovery.

[Freemorrison]

DoubleHelix may be right- and that's good advice to get the files back- ( I wouldn't take it to the shop )
But hopefully you'll see it in safe mode - as in the your original post you said :

"So I would have a look in computer managment its there but as:"
Disk 1
Unknown
298.09 GB
Not Initialized

So it is visible - or am I reading that wrong?

[hevanne]

Its visable on in device managemant, computer management and also when I run WD disgnostic software, but not visable in My computer. can you explain SATA or IDE to USB adapters or point me to a website that explains it because I dont understand.
Still need to try safe mode and tried a friends laptop and still the same only visable in device and computer management
Thank you again

[Noyb]

Here's a universal Adapter .. Just plug it into a HDD

They also make enclosures for IDE or SATA HDDS .. So you can make your own external by adding a HDD