Windows 10: External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised"

Discus and support External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised" in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; I got a HDD from an old laptop and decided to try and get into its old files with a POSUGEAR HDD enclosure. But every time I try to initialise it, it... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by ZM11, Jan 6, 2025.

  1. ZM11
    ZM11 Win User

    External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised"


    I got a HDD from an old laptop and decided to try and get into its old files with a POSUGEAR HDD enclosure. But every time I try to initialise it, it just says "Incorrect function". I tried to use DiskPart and rescan the drives but it only worked one time when the storage was showing up but I made the stupid decision of clicking it, which crashed windows explorer and broke it again.Please give useful solutions cause this drive has some important stuff that I hold close to my being.

    :)
     
    ZM11, Jan 6, 2025
    #1
  2. AKAJE12#
    Akaje12# Win User

    Recover Data on Not Initialised external HDD

    I replaced the the PCB on a Toshiba 1TB External HDD as the USB connection dislodged, paying careful attention to the part details:

    MQ01UBD100 Toshiba PCB G3448A - $48.00 - HDDzone.com.

    There is about 300GB of data on the disk and was working perfactley.

    Ironic thing is that the disk is my backup disk for photos, docs etc

    I have a DELL Latitude E6540 running Windows 10.

    • Disk Management lists it as Disk 1 Unknown // Not Initialised // "Device is not ready" after trying to initialise it in both MBR and GBT.
    • Device Manager lists in Disk Drives as working properly, Drivers up to date etc. I have uninstalled and reinstalled it.
    • Disckpart// list disc as an Administrator in CMD will show it as Online but 0 ZERO bites.
    • I have removed and inserted the CMOS battery.
    I suspect I have see the "White Gloved" people who will charge me an arm and a leg for data recovery?

    Is there anybody in Microsoft land that can assist with an alternative.

    Greatly appreciated.

    --Moved from Microsoft Teams/Teams and channels--
     
    Akaje12#, Jan 6, 2025
    #2
  3. MATTHWIN
    matthwin Win User
    External data driven showing system reserved, unknown, not initialised

    External data driven showing system reserved, unknown, not initialised


    Hi
    I am using the seagate 2tb drive to transfer data to a backup using syncToy.

    The drive has been working normally but this time it took a long time to read ( slow moving green bar in address)

    It finally became unread by the pc so I attempted to rectify this by using disk management. This showed the disk as "Not initialised." In attempting to sort this out I have made it a "System Reserved" drive!

    See attached screen shot

    External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised" external-data-driven-showing-system-reserved-unknown-not-initialised-disk-management-screen-shot.png





    Question
    How to get the drive working, preferably with the data intact?

    Sorry I missed out the screen shot.
     
    matthwin, Jan 6, 2025
    #3
  4. LBECK
    lbeck Win User

    External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised"

    diagnose external HDD

    Thanks to all for our suggestions. I'm still working on this, but need to bow out for a day or two. Here's what I've tried so far:
    • downloaded crystaldiskinfo and the HDD doesn't show there either.
    • Tried jumanji suggestion #8and get "about:blank#blocked". could be my firewall but haven't gotten that message for a while
    • My HDD is not in a case
    • I can't use a UDB c cable on this drive. It has one of those long mini connectors with a long and short side
    • Device Driver shows no yellow triangles (see image)
    • I have a Windows 10 laptop but haven't tried the drive there (yet) Yes, my desktop is the Acer mentioned in my profile
    External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised" 373678d1661044549t-diagnose-external-hdd-maybe-bad-hdd.jpg
     
    lbeck, Jan 6, 2025
    #4
Thema:

External HDD won't work: reads as "Unknown" and "Not Initialised"

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