Can't detect external HDD.

[Canew]

Both my PCs (one with Vista and another with Win XP) could not detect my external HDD when I plug it into my USB port. I have tried to plug it into to other USB ports but the result is the same.

The scenario is like this:
1. Plug HDD into USB.
2. Windows Explorer does not show the name of the HDD. It shows only 'Removable Disk'
3. I clicked on the 'Removable Disk.'
4. Message says: 'Need to format the disk before you can use it. Do you want to format it?"

WTH... I was using the HDD last week and everything is OK.

Can Bros here help me out on this matter?

TIA. 

[victor]

I suspect the FAT (File allocation Table) has been corrupted. Might need to use tools like partition magic to rebuild the FAT.

[Canew]

Thanks for the reply Victor. If I were to use Partition Magic, will the data inside be recoverable?

[victor]

might be able to if they just repair the FAT.

[Canew]

UPDATE: I am able to recover the contents of the HDD. But now, I am unable to format the HDD using Windows Explorer. When I click on 'Format', Windows Explorer does not do anything. Any suggestions from Bros here? TIA. 

[Michael]

go to run

enter in diskmgmt.msc

then see if the drive can be detected

right click, remove partition, create new partition, format etc

[Canew]

go to run

enter in diskmgmt.msc

then see if the drive can be detected

right click, remove partition, create new partition, format etc

Thanks Mike! Followed your advice and the HDD is formatted now! (NTFS format) Now that HDD can be used! 

[hwchoy]

UPDATE: I am able to recover the contents of the HDD.

how you managed to do that?

[Canew]

how you managed to do that?

Hehehehee. Asked my IT Dept for help. Hence, I am not sure of the software used and the process... 

[victor]

I suspect they use software like "undelete" from Sandisk which just recover everything from the disk without reading the FAT (which is corupted). Hence when the disk also cannot be formatted because FAT is not there. By doing a redetection in windows, the OS recreate the FAT in NTFS, hence the HD works again.

But do be aware, corrupted FAT might occur due to mechnical failure/sudden shutdown of the HD while it is doing a write.

[Canew]

I suspect they use software like "undelete" from Sandisk which just recover everything from the disk without reading the FAT (which is corupted). Hence when the disk also cannot be formatted because FAT is not there. By doing a redetection in windows, the OS recreate the FAT in NTFS, hence the HD works again.

But do be aware, corrupted FAT might occur due to mechnical failure/sudden shutdown of the HD while it is doing a write.

Thanks for the advice, victor. Yes, I know it, but sometimes, when you lend the HDD to someone else, that person might not know it.

[victor]

When you format your HDD to NTFS....it cannot be read from most device other then Windows. Mac can read but cannot write. There will be some permission issue also.

[Canew]

It's alright Victor. All my PCs are running on Windows. I prefer NTFS as there is no file size limitation, unlike FAT.

[victor]

It will only work on your own computers. Other people's NTFS systems cannot read it also unless they register you as a user in their PC.

[evershine]

Hmmm... i don't think so leh... a portable hdisk formatted in ntfs should be readable in other pc as long as they are running XP or Vista.  I thought as long as it is not encrypted it should be fine.  I do not have to do anything if i pluck in my portable hdisk to office notebook /home pc or wife's pc. No registration done.

It will only work on your own computers. Other people's NTFS systems cannot read it also unless they register you as a user in their PC.