[Solved] WD external hard drive

Disk is known to be full. When attempting to open, get this message:
"Location is not available. "X":\ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect."
Would appreciate any advice available.
Stan
Just found that file type is "RAW' - explains why WIN can't access drive. Can anyone suggest the best approach to get back to NTFS?
Thanks

 

Hi and welcome to CHF.
You need to recover all your data off the raw drive first before attempting to format. This is important.
"EaseUS" is what I use to recover data off a raw drive. Once that's done then format.
Leaving an external switched on for extended periods can cause the drive to change to RAW state.

http://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/free-data-recovery-software.htm

 

Thanks ADHD. I have decided that the simplest approach is to trash the drive and get a new one. I'd never trust the drive again anyway. They are not that expensive now so that's why I've chosen that approach.
Thanks again.
Stan

 

I hope there is nothing important on the drive if you are going to get rid. As ADHD said, the data can be recovered if it is important. Unfortunately there is no other way as when a drive goes to RAW, there is no simple return to the original NTFS system other than a reformat, which will of course erase the data.

Nev.

 

Hi, Nev,
Fortunately I had everything backed up elsewhere so it really was no big deal. I was unable to retrieve the files but re-formatted the disk so it now represents an extra available storage area - if I decide to trust it.
Thanks for your help. It's great to be able to find people ready and able to assist old blokes like myself.
Regards,
Stan

 

Hi Stan. I am pretty confident the external HDD will be ok.
If your still concerned run CHKDSK on the external to be sure.

 

ADHD is right, just because the chipset that converts the drive to usb went does not mean the hard drive is shot and in most cases they are not. You would have been better off taking the hard drive out and connecting it to a sata port because if the drive is good all you neede to do is buy another external case for it.

 

It seems to be performing normally.
Thanks again.
Stan

 

Yes but like you said you ,will never really trust it again and you are right not to.