Windows 10: Cannot access any files on external USB backups

Hi,


I have a small network with Server 2019 and 3 Windows 10 PCs. The server had backups of all the data from the Windows 10 PCs. The mainboard on the server failed so the data on the RAID 1 array is not available. I have 2 backups of all the data from the server on to 2 big external USB drives. Not a fancy backup program, just copies of all the jpg, doc, pdf, xls and other data files, in exactly the folder structure from the Windows 10 PCs.


The external USB drives have only been connected to the server when actually making copies of the data. In fact, the copies are several years old - but better than nothing!


I connected the 2 USB drives to several different Windows 10 PCs. The entire folder structures are visible with all folders and files apparently present and intact. But not a single file is readable!


Doesn't matter what the files is, jpg, doc, pdf, xls, none can be read. Error messages vary, but are all along the lines of "The file is damaged and cannot be read".


This happens with both USB drives on all the W10 PCs available to me and also on an old W7 laptop that I also have.


It's almost as if the files have been touched by RansomWare but I have good A/V and have seen no messages.


Files on all PCs that are not on these 2 external USB drives can be read. Files on another external USB can be read.


I am tearing my hair out here. A lifetime of photos and files cannot be retrieved.

Any one any ideas please?

RS

:)

 

Can't Access Either of My External Drives After 14393

Hi Michael,

To better assist you with your concern, I would like to ask if you're getting any error messages when accessing your external drives? If yes, can you provide us with the exact error message?

As an initial troubleshooting, we suggest you to follow the steps below:

• Go to Device Manager.
• Click on USB Mass Storage.
• Right click on your USB, and then click on Update Driver Software.
• Once done, check if you can access your external drives.

Regards.

 

File back up to bitlockered external drive

Thanks John.

By trial and error the solution is,

• Set the file back up to the desired external USB drive, Back up using file history.
• Run backup to completion.
• Dismount, (Remove) the drive used.
• Remount (Plug in) the drive used for the file back up (Steps 1&2) and encrypt using Bitlocker.

Note you can only encrypt drives using some versions of Windows (Pro for eg not Home)

• Once the external drive has been encrypted dismount.
• Remount the drive, go to the file back up option, Open, Settings, Backup,
  Back up using file history.
• The drive should now still be visible and has been encrypted.
• Accessing the drive will be dependant on how it was set up in Bitlocker,
  Open with this PC, password, pin code etc.
• Repeat file back up as in the first two steps.

Hope this helps someone else.

 

External Drive "not accessible"

Hi,

Corrupted USB controller is one of the possible reasons why you are unable to access your external hard drive. We suggest that you follow the troubleshooting steps provided in this

link to resolve the issue.

Should you need further assistance, don't hesitate to get back to us.