Windows 10: Linux locked my hard drive

I accidentally installed Linux on my hdd where my c drive was and now It locked my PC and I inserted a dvd for installing windows but it says that hdd is locked .I used old windows 7 dvd and it doesn't recognize my hdd and says there is no drive to install windows on it.I know my hdd was healthy before this . Please please help me.I'm dying out of anxiety

:)

 

Hard drive/ OS issue

a guy suggested :

• shutdown
• unhooked HDD
• restarted
• yay !!
• reconnected HDD
• restarted
• yay !!

also , try method 3
How to Unlock Drive in Windows 10: 5 Ways to Remove a Lock

 

Error: "Scan the drive now and fix it", Linux named folder with special characters are not accessable in Windows 10 using external hard drive

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



May I know the file partition format type of your external drive?



As Linux and Windows they work on different file system, when the files are migrated from Linux base system to Windows OS, most of the files that are not supported could be hidden, I suggest you to follow the steps below to further
narrow down the root cause of the issue.



Method 1: Check the hard drive in different computer.



I suggest you to check the hard drive in a different computer and check if you still face the issue.



If the same issue persists on different computer then the issue might be with the hard drive itself, I suggest you to contact the local tech and get the drive checked.



Method 2: Run Check disk.



Run the check disk command to repair the hard drive and fix the bad sectors.

1. Search for Command Prompt on the start menu.
   
2. Right click and Run as Administrator.
   
3. Type in chkdsk C: /f /r /x where
   C: represents the drive letter for the hard drive change the drive letter according to your system and hit enter.
   

Disclaimer: While performing chkdsk on the hard drive, if any bad sectors are found on the hard drive then chkdsk tries to repair that sector if any data available on that might
be lost.



Method 3: Automatically diagnose and fix Windows USB problems.



I suggest you refer to this article
Automatically diagnose and fix Windows USB problems
download and run the troubleshooter to fix the issue with USB detection.



Method 4: uninstall USB drivers.

1. If you still face the issue and the hard drives throws the error again, you can refer the article
   
   USB devices may stop functioning correctly when multiple devices connected to the same USB hub go into selective suspend and check if this helps you.
   
2. Reboot the computer once after the steps are completed.
   

Method 5: Backup your data on Linux OS.



As the drive is compatible with Linux system, I suggest you to backup your data on any Linux computer first.



Method 6: Check for hidden files.



Some Linux files that are not readable by Windows are sometimes hidden in Windows, you can follow the below steps to unhide them and access the data.

1. If you are able to read the hard drive, I suggest you to navigate to the drive partition and
   
   unhide all the hidden folder and check.
   
2. If you are still not able to see the data, uncheck
   Hide protected operating system files.
   
3. After you have found your files, I suggest you to undo the changes.
   

If you still face the issue, reply to this post with more information.

Hope it helps.

Amit Sunar

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Computer lock ups...

I'm assuming the Linux install was on one of your hard drives and not a live CD? If so, I'd test whichever hard drive Windows is installed on. My brother had strange lock ups when his hard drive was failing. Worth a shot, and then you'll be able to rule another component off the suspect list.