External HD has just stopped working - Computer Support & PC Help Forums

mr_banana_pants · 09-30-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi guys. I've got a Freecom 500gb HD. I use it on my Laptop with XP and in my Xbox 360.

I plugged the HD into my laptop today...and its stopped working. It says theres nothing on the drive and that it needs formatting.

I plug it into my Xbox. And tada, all the files are there.

Whats happened? I haven't changed anything on my laptop. Am I going to loose all the information on the drive

?

Cheers

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-30-2008, 02:53 PM

I think that XBOX 360 use FAT32
and modern PC's and laptops use NTFS

It will work in the XBOX and not the Laptop unless you change the file type

mr_banana_pants · 09-30-2008, 03:16 PM

Sorry. I'm pretty basic when it comes to PC's unless its explained

2 questions:

Why was it working fine before?
How (Can) I change the file type?

Thanks again

**Kelly** · 09-30-2008, 03:49 PM

Mr Banana - you said this used to work on your laptop and no longer does. This device connects via a USB connector. Please try other USB port on your computer. Don't use a USB hub.

Also try the drive on another machine.

XP should recognize FAT 32.

mr_banana_pants · 09-30-2008, 04:13 PM

I've tried it in different USB ports. No luck.

I will try it in a different PC tomorrow round my friends.

I'm still really confused why everything has changed

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-30-2008, 04:14 PM

Where did the original files come from - the XBOX or the PC or is it a combination of the 2?

mr_banana_pants · 09-30-2008, 06:30 PM

All files would of started on the PC. The HD is for storage. But from time to time its plugged into the xbox to play music/video from it via the 360.

mr_banana_pants · 10-02-2008, 11:17 AM

Hi again guys. I tried it in a different computer. No joy. Whats next??

**Seth** · 10-02-2008, 01:43 PM

For whatever reason, a Windows based operating system can't read the drives file table.

I only see two options:

1) Run a Linux based operating system to try and access the files. Unfortunately, you'll have to get details about that from someone else as I'm not familiar with Linux.

2) Use a data recovery program. The ONLY one I suggest is "Recover My Files", but it's not free.

mr_banana_pants · 10-13-2008, 01:25 PM

Hi again. I'm in the process of trying your two suggestions.

Recover My Files works. But I'm a little bit scared to use it, with it dealing with reading SO much data at once.

I have a quick question. When I've fully run a scan on the drive what are my options to do with the recovered files?

Do they automatically appear, re-recognised on the external HD. Or am I just left with the option to now transfer them from the external HD, back to a PC etc?

The later is just going to leave me with the tedious problem of where to transfer everything too!

As for Linux. I've got a copy. Just in the process of trying it.

Thanks again

**Seth** · 10-13-2008, 04:02 PM

The program doesn't fix the drive, just gives you access to the files so you can save them to an alternate storage device.

Use the "Full Format Recovery", as that option will reconstruct the file table. That means that when it's complete, you can view the files as if the drive was ok. For example, you'll see folders such as "My Documents", "My Pictures", etc.

When selecting the drive to search, use the "Physical" drive option.

mr_banana_pants · 10-14-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

The program doesn't fix the drive, just gives you access to the files so you can save them to an alternate storage device.

Use the "Full Format Recovery", as that option will reconstruct the file table. That means that when it's complete, you can view the files as if the drive was ok. For example, you'll see folders such as "My Documents", "My Pictures", etc.

When selecting the drive to search, use the "Physical" drive option.

Thanks again. i tried Linux too. Read the drive no problem. One way or another I'll get my files back.