Hello,
I would like to recover my data from a corrupted External Hard Disk Drive.I performed some attempts to extract the data but without success.

1st, i tried to access from the computer folder and obtained this:

The Disk properties shows that the disk seems like empty.

2nd, I tried to repair with error-cheking:


and obtained this message:


3rd, I tried to repair with the CHKDSK :M /f:

but I obtained saing that the disk is raw.

4th, I tried to use the testdisk software.


The disk appear on the list but when I run a analyse the software cant find anything.
said "read error at xxxx/0/1 (lba=xxxx).


At he end I obtained this:

no partitions found.

5th, I already try with a lot of software programs but i cant recover anything.
All these proceding resulted with no data recovery!

The disk appear at the "computer folder" and device manager, the disk is the M:



Sometimes when i load the disk i receive this message:


When I try to format I obtained this message:


I havent no more ideas to recover the data.

Anyone can suggest a method for recover the data??

Thans a lot!

Step 1 - get a full sector by sector clone of the drive
Step 2 - run data recovery programs (ie, R-Studio) against the clone
Step 3 - copy recovered data to a destination drive that is neither the original nor the clone

If you are unable to get a full clone of the drive with ease, you should see the assistance of a data recovery pro in your area.

_________________
Luke
Recovery Force Donor Inventory: 5,000+ Fully Cataloged HDDs & Growing

Is it possible that the drive is password protected?

What does HD Sentinel report in regard to the drive's security status?

It appears that TestDisk is picking up the drive's full capacity, so it's not a 0 LBA fault.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

Is it from a "MyBook" WD enclosure by any chance?

If so then it will have encrypted the data.

You'll need to put it back in the enclosure, or if it's bad (I.e. The reason you took it out) then you'll need another identical one.

This (or the passworded drive suggestion by fzabkar) can be verified by attempting to read the first sector with a hex editor. If it reads, show us the first sector.

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

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Oh wait, I just noticed that testdisk has started to read and encountered a read error at sector 393215.

If I interpret that correctly then the drive either has media issues (bad sectors) or a bad head.

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

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Hello,

is problematic Seagate ST31000S20AS drive

Yes, sorry. I was looking at the wrong drive (the WD EXRX drive) in the 2nd TESTDISK screen

Was a bit early in the morning for me

The drive will have bad sectors or a bad head then, judging by that "read error" reported by TESTDISK

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

seems similar to my problem disk, same model. Would "Partition Find and Mount" possibly work, or at least be safe to try?

Yes is the Seagate ST31000520AS

Any suggestion to solve the problem?

Disk appears when I start the software but when run a scan the disk disapears and can't finish

What does SMART tell you about the drive? Are there are reallocated or pending sectors?

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

The disk is a USB external and my Bios doesn´t recognize the disk, for this reason i cant performa a SMART check.

This isn't a AF type thing as well is it?

I left the disk at work, so I couldn't do anymore today, but I did read up on 4K sectors and AF. There is a ton of stuff relating to setting up a disk for first use or OS installs, not so much about data filled drives swapped about.

Its a case of "I know I will have to educate myself about this sometime" and that sometime is now.