[PetuniasDad]

Hello. I have 2 HD that were working on a Windows 7 computer and were used for file storage. I swapped out both HD for new HD. Recently, I put the 2 HD back in the system that I had previously taken out and now the computer will not let me access them. When I go into Computer Management, the computer lists the HD, but tells me that I need to initialize the HD to use them. If I recall correctly, this is what I need to do with any new HD before I can use them. I believe this also means that the files that are on the HD will be lost.

I searched on the Internet for a while to see if I could get assistance and found a couple of posts stating that I may be able to recover the HD with their files if I connect the HD to a Linux computer. Is this a possibility? If not, what other options do I have? I do not wish to send the HD to a data recovery company. I would like to have the files, but it is not worth what I have been quoted by a couple of different companies.

 

I have tried using a few data recovery programs, but since the computer does not consider the HDs to be active they are not found by the recovery programs.

 

I also tried adding the HDs to two different computers, one that is also a Windows 7 computer and the other Windows 10. The result with each computer is the same: the HDs need to be initialized.

Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and have a great day!

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   PetuniasDad,

 

We can provide you with Puppy Linux info if needs be but for a quick check take a look at Partition Find & Mount (free) which you can download from here

[phillpower2]

   PetuniasDad,

 

We can provide you with Puppy Linux info if needs be but for a quick check take a look at Partition Find & Mount (free) which you can download from here

[PetuniasDad]

Thank you for the quick response.

 

I have downloaded the software that you suggested and will try it in the next day or two when I have a few minutes and let you know the results.

 

Thanks!

[phillpower2]

You are welcome PetuniasDad 

 

No rush on our behalf so get back to us when you are able to 

 

I have 2 HD that were working on a Windows 7 computer and were used for file storage. I swapped out both HD for new HD. Recently, I put the 2 HD back in the system that I had previously taken out and now the computer will not let me access them.

 

 

Unless encrypted one of our methods here should be able to access the data on the drives, need to wait on your update for now though 

[PetuniasDad]

I was able to install Partition Find and Mount and I installed the bad HD on the computer. When I run the program, it finds the HD, but lists it with no name and 0KB size. I have run all 3 of the scan options: Intellectual Scan, Normal Scan and Thorough Scan. After each of the scans I receive the following message:

 

Scan complete

If the partition you want to find still not found, please try scanning with another method.

 

Also, under the bad HD in the list there is a subsection for Visible partitions and Found partitions. Each has the message that no partitions were found.

 

I ran the scan on the good HD that is in the computer and it completes successfully after some time. When running the scan on the bad HD, the scan complete message appears a split second after selecting the scan type.

 

To take a faulty port out of the loop, I installed the bad HD on the same SATA connection with the same SATA power cable that is usually connected to the DVD. I have no problems with the DVD.

 

Is there something else to try with this software? I do not see too many options other than the scan types.

 

Thank you again for your help.

[phillpower2]

Not good 

 

Before we post the Puppy Linux tutorial can you let us know your computer specs so we know if you need the steps for UEFI or Legacy BIOS.

[PetuniasDad]

I am not sure if this is what you are expecting. If not, let me know.

 

Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

AMD FX 4100 quad-core 3.6GHz

8GB RAM

 

This is my first Windows 10 PC and I have having a little difficulty finding my way around.

 

If the above is not what you need or you need additional information, please let me know.

[phillpower2]

The motherboard details are what we need, the other info does not tell us the type of BIOS, not being pedantic btw, UEFI BIOS would require disabling secure boot which is a chunk of info on its own and don`t want to inundate you with info that could potentially be unnecessary.

 

If you don`t know your MB info, download and run Speccy (free) that will tell you what you need to know, Speccy download from Piriform here

[PetuniasDad]

Motherboard:

ASUSTeK Computer Inc

Model M5A97 LE R2.0 (Socket 942)

 

BIOS:

American Megatrends Inc

version 1401 x64

build date 12/02/2012

 

When I go into the BIOS, it displays an ASUS UEFI menu.

 

If you need other info, let me know.

[phillpower2]

Thanks, all the steps you need are detailed below, good luck;

 

=================== 

***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; / 

   

  For computers that have UEFI as opposed to legacy BIOS, to be able to boot from your USB device you may need to disable secure boot and change UEFI to CSM Boot, not all computers and BIOS are the same, please refer to your user manual if you have one as the following steps are only one such example.

   

  Restart the computer, Windows 8 and 8.1 from the Start or desktop screen move your mouse pointer over the upper or lower right corner of the screen, when the Windows Charms appear click the Settings Charm, click on Power and then the Restart option.

   

  Windows 10, Click on Start,Power and then Restart.

   

  While the computer is re-starting,you will need to continually tap or hold down the particular key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer, we will use the F2 key as an example here;

   

  After restarting the computer, when the screen goes black, press and hold down the F2 key, wait for the BIOS to load.

   

  Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

  Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

  Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

  Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

   

  If your computer will not boot into Windows at all, power up or restart the computer continually tap or hold down the key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer and then do the following;

   

  Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

  Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

  Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

  Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

   

   

   

• 
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer 
  

   

   

• 
  
• Extract All files to a location you can remember 
  

   

   

• 
  
• Double Click BurnCDCC 
  

   

   

• 
  
• Click Browse 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  
  

   

   

• 
  
• 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 
  

   

   

   

   

• 
  

 

 

 

 

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[list] 

   

• 
  
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.  
  

   

   

• 
  
• 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! 

[PetuniasDad]

I followed the directions to change the BIOS, create the bootable CD, and booted to Puppy Linux. The interface appeared and at the bottom left were two icons for HDs, one for the primary that has the Windows installation and a second for the blank HD that I installed to copy the files to. There was also an icon for the DVD drive.

 

The bad HD did not appear. I used the Mount icon as well to see if that would find the drive, but no luck.

 

The result was the same with the second bad HD. The 2 bad HDs have exactly the same files, one was a backup for the other, so I was hoping that one of them would work.

 

Are there other options or am I at the point where I move on and initialize the HDs so I can begin using them again?

 

I really appreciate your help, but I guess whatever the computer did to these drives a while back really messed them up. I wonder if I should even try using them again or just destroy them and buy replacements.

[phillpower2]

Looks a bit grim the HDDs not even being detected I`m afraid 

 

Can I ask if you have tried Puppy with secure boot disabled and then tried Puppy with secure boot enabled, just wanting to make sure that we try as much as possible.

 

Couple of other free programs for you to try TestDisk and MiniTool Power Data Recovery  again try with secure boot disabled and if no joy then enabled.

[PetuniasDad]

I went back and tried both HD with Puppy secure boot and then without secure boot and neither were recognized. TestDisk and MiniTool have been downloaded and I will try those later. At least I am learning some new tools and now have a little experience with Linux. An update will be posted after trying the other software you mentioned.

[phillpower2]

That`s the spirit, think positive 

[PetuniasDad]

Unfortunately, no luck with TestDisk or MiniTool so I guess it is time to initialize and format the HDs so they can be used again. Live and learn! I bought a 2-bay docking station to use as backup HDs for the same computer that caused the problem with the HDs we have been trying recover and have had no issues swapping out the drives so I guess that is the better way to go.

 

I do regular print-outs of what is on the storage drives I use and I believe there was nothing of critical importance on either of the HDs. The computer I was backing up also has not had an issue with either HD so I think everything is still there.

 

Thank you so much for your time and help attempting to recover these HDs. I greatly appreciate the effort and as I said in my previous post, I have learned a lot with both the software and Linux.

 

Take care!