Windows 10: Harddrive Failure or Hardware Failure?

My external harddrive is relatively new; no more than 2 years. It has been failing to be recognized my my PC and getting an I/O error when in Safe Mode. When not in safe mode, it just stops being recognized by my PC.

Explorer also has it labeled as a 7.27TB harddrive when it is 4TB

What i want to know is whether it is likely to be a hard drive problem (and that i need to have the data recovered) or if it is a hardware problem (and i can just remove it from the case somehow and insert it into another enclosure).

i have one of those devices that lets you insert a barebones harddrive to be accessed through USB; i can use that.

i have tried to access the drive using a different cable and a different computer and get the same results.
thanks

:)

 

Computer restarting randomly

Hi,

Sounds like this could possible be due to a hardware failure.

I suggest you check for the harddrive and memory first to start with.

Hard Drive health check tools:

Think You Might Have a Hard Drive Problem? Test It for Free

Memory health check tool:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

Kind regards,

Leon

 

windows update crashedcomputer

after update computer went to diagnosing, then it said that auto repair could not repair my pc.. then it said harddrive failure

 

This would indicate that it's the HDD failing. What type of external drive is this.....brand/make/model?

 

it is a Seagate Expansion Desktop model number SRD0NF2 i have the worse luck with harddrives. This must be my 3rd or 4th one to go in the last 5 years and on two different PCs

EDIT: It actually is an 8TB harddrive, i found my confirmation email from when i bought it in January!

 

In future I'd stay away for those enclosed external drives. I have a 1TB Passport in my hand. Failed. Opened it up, data was on another source, and it has electronics solder to drive.

I like the raw drives you place in an enclosure. Little more money, run way longer.

Is it functioning at all? I would not open drive unless you know for sure they are not doing anything special in the electronics.

Ken

 

It is functioning in that it A. turns on and B. i can access some of it while my PC is in Safe Mode. Some folders are accessible, but some are not. It is a really really important drive so i definitely want to recover its data. I am trying to decide if i want to have it sent for recovery ($$$) or if i want to crack open the enclosure and try to connect it to my computer through different means

EDIT: i used the warranty search on Seagate's site and it IS under warranty, but i highly doubt this includes data recovery

 

Couldn't agree more Ken.....that's where I was headed.

I would recommend a NAS setup.....fairly inexpensive, have their own software, and easily accessed by 1 or more users and some allow remote access (app on mobile phone).

 

i feel like we are getting a tad off topic, but i am entreated by the suggestion of a NAS setup. i was just going to go for an INTERNAL Harddrive this time around because money is an issue and especially since it seems like i am going to have to pay for data recovery. It is something i will definitely consider down the road

Unless you think a solution would be to get a NAS unit and crack open my external and put it in that?

 

I tried to connect with someone who is what I consider an expert. If he is around I hope he will join. He is in a different time zone half way around the world.

I know on more than one occasion his answer is do NOT crack open. If your drive has the solder electronics you can't do anything with it and if they are doing something in electronics and you connect through standard enclosure you will add to your problem.

Copy out what you can immediately.

Ken

 

Interesting that it is recognized, or partially recognized in Safe Mode.

Never mind, re read your post on connecting to other computer.

Ken

 

Billybag, did you partition this drive.

Under disk management how does the drive look?

I assume as explorer is reporting 8GB it must be one partition but would like to confirm.

Sorry, I will catch up with this thread in AM. By then you will have completed backup of data you can see.

 

Not only is it one partition, but Disk Manager reports it as healthy

 

Well that is a good sign. When it shows healthy is there a drive letter assigned?

So over night I assume you got off the data you could.

These next ideas may put your drive at more risk but thought it might drive out discussion. Have you run chkdsk /r on drive or have you used Seatools by Seagate. I say more risk as anything that works a failing drive might be the last straw.

Ken

Edit 1: This drive doesn't need any special power requirements does it? Yes I'm stretching but I hate data loss.

 

Thanks Caledon Ken for the call. I just saw it minutes before.

OK @ billybag , how is your drive doing? Have you been able to retrieve any data thus far?

I would like you to do two things now.

1. Post a full screenshot of your 8TB desktop in Windows Disk Management. Please adhere to the guidelines here
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of ( Please remove all other external storage devices)

2. Please download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9.1 from http://www.filehorse.com/download-pa.../old-versions/ Yes, the old version 9.1 and not any newer version. Run version 9.1 and post a screenshot showing your 8TB drive. - the very first screen after you launch PW.

Your drive has an external power adapter . Right?

As Caledon rightly said, we shall try to recover the data as it is and shall think of removing the HDD from its housing only as a last resort.

Its bedtime for me now. So will see your response after another 8-10 hours, my tom morning.

I am still in the investigative stage and can tell you the prognosis only as we proceed.