Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go - Register now for FREE

Need help with your computer or device? Want to learn new tech skills? You're in the right place!
Geeks to Go is a friendly community of tech experts who can solve any problem you have. Just create a free account and post your question. Our volunteers will reply quickly and guide you through the steps. Don't let tech troubles stop you. Join Geeks to Go now and get the support you need!

How it Works Create Account
Photo

FreeAgent 1TB External Hard stopped working (unknown, not initialized

external hard hard drive hard disk hdd freeagent seagate

  • Please log in to reply

#1
Sedhadi

Sedhadi

    New Member

  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

Hey,
 
Yesterday, I was working with my PC while my 1TB Seagate external hard (http://www.amazon.co...1/dp/B0045JLPMO) was plugged in via USB. The USB connection was a little bit loose.
 
Then when I was plugging a USB flash memory in, I noticed that the external hard was disconnected.
I connected it again, but it didn't appear in My Computer.
Here is the state in Disk Management and Device Manager:
1.jpg
3.jpg
8.jpg
2.jpg
 
After that, I plugged out the "SATA to USB converter" from the hard and connected it directly to SATA cable inside the PC case (like internal HDD), but this time nothing showed up in Disk Management, Device Manager and BIOS. However, it took a long time for the system to boot.
0.jpg
 
I searched and read lots of threads and tested some other stuff:
4.jpg
5.jpg
6.jpg
 
7.jpg
(It didn't appear in Minitool Partion Wizad).
 
I've got a lot of data on this HDD which really matters to me. :(  
Any help is really appreciated.

 


  • 0

Advertisements


#2
phillpower2

phillpower2

    Mechanised Mod

  • Global Moderator
  • 24,780 posts

:welcome:    Sedhadi,

 



the USB connection was a little bit loose.
 
Then when I was plugging a USB flash memory in, I noticed that the external hard was disconnected.

 

 

 

This is possibly a total coincidence and the HDD may already have had issues, looking at your screenshots I note that you are low on free storage space on the D: and E: partitions, how much free storage space was available on the external HDD, the reason that I ask is because low free disk space can cause data corruption and/or HDD failure.

 

I searched and read lots of threads and tested some other stuff:

 

 

Too late now but keep in mind for the future that important data should be backed up first before testing a suspect HDD, this because the diagnostic tools also stress test the HDD which can result in a flaky HDD failing.

 

Pop the drive back into its housing and see if it is still detected, if it is see if you are able to recover your data using Puppy Linux, tutorial below;

 

=================== 

***Required Hardware*** 

CD Burner (CDRW) Drive, 

Blank CD, 

Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)  

=================== 

 

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

  • Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso) 

    Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software 

     

    There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/ 

     

     

  • Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer 

  • Extract All files to a location you can remember 

  • Double Click 1%20BurnCDCC%20Icon.PNG BurnCDCC 

  • Click Browse 2%20BurnCDCC%20Browse%20Button.PNG and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded 

  • Open/Double Click that file 

    IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x 

  • Click Start 3%20BurnCDCC%20Start%20Button.PNG 

  • Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically 

  • Insert a blank CD and close the tray 

  • Click OK 

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created 

 

2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second 

  •  

  • Start the computer/press the power button 

  • Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup" 

    (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen) 

  • Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to: 

    CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd 

  • Open your ROM drive and insert the disk 

  • Press F10 to save and exit 

  • Agree with "Y" to continue 

  • Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD 

     

    4%20BIOSBootPriorityImage.png 

 

 

 

3.  Recover Your Data 

  • Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM).  You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer".  Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning.  Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy.  To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once.  Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to.  This is normal.  Ready?  Let's get started. 

     

    3a. Mount Drives 

  • Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop. 5%20Puppy%20Linux%20Mount%20Icon.PNG 

  • A Window will open.  By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted.  Click on Mount for your hard drive. 

  • Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount. 

  • USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted. 

  • If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab.  Mount it now. 

 

3b. Transfer Files.

  •  

  • At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon. 

  • Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1 

  • Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1 

  • If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows) 

  • From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window. 

 

For The Novice:  The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders for XP is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each individual name of each user, for Vista and above  C:\Users\$USERNAME\[...]. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos

 

Remember to only click once!  No double clicking!  Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy.  Choose COPY each time you drag and drop. 

 

YOU ARE DONE!!!  Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer.  Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations! 

 

 

 

PuppyLinux528screenshot.png 

 


  • 0

#3
vally

vally

    Member

  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 590 posts

Hi Sedhadi

 

I looks like you disconnected the usb connector from the hard drive.

Try and connect the hard drive to the mother board.

 

How to connect:

First turn off computer and disconnect power

You will need a  sata cable or if you have 2 hard drives you can disconnect one (the one without the operating system)

You will need  to connect a power cable from the PSU (power suply unit)

Each connection only has one cable that will connect to it.

 

Now when the computer boots see if the OS can recognize the hard drive.

 

Tell us what you discoverd

 

vally


  • 0

#4
Sedhadi

Sedhadi

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

Here are some new screenshots:

9.jpg

10.jpg

 

12.jpg

 

 

To phillpower2:

Thanks. I've been using this HDD for 3-4 years and I think the life span has lapsed! I had about 170GB free space on it.

BTW, I will test Puppy Linux asap.

 

To vally:

I've already mentioned that I've done what you've suggested. It didn't work out.


  • 0

#5
phillpower2

phillpower2

    Mechanised Mod

  • Global Moderator
  • 24,780 posts

170GB of free space is a good start and as it is being flagged as a problem picked up by Windows + the device is detected in the BIOS there is a good chance Puppy will help, fingers crossed and good luck.


  • 0

#6
Sedhadi

Sedhadi

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

What about GParted Live? For the time being, I've got it burned and ready. Is it of any us in this case?


  • 0

#7
phillpower2

phillpower2

    Mechanised Mod

  • Global Moderator
  • 24,780 posts

You could try GParted as it can be used to try and recover lost partitions, not used it myself and prefer to stick with Puppy as it is so simple to use.

 

Tip

Free up some storage space on D: and E: asap else they will corrupt.


  • 0

#8
vally

vally

    Member

  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 590 posts

Try GParted

 

I used it a few times in the past.

 

Let us know whats happening


  • 0






Similar Topics


Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: external hard, hard drive, hard disk, hdd, freeagent, seagate

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

As Featured On:

Microsoft Yahoo BBC MSN PC Magazine Washington Post HP