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Hi. My OneTouch Maxtor Externar USB drive 500GB all of the sudden quit communicating with the computer (other devices e.g. stream box etc.) too. On a plug-in computer suggests to format the disc. I cannot do it since there is a lot of data. I can still see the disc when I open it in console mode (or TotalCommander) and such but - again - I cannot access it. The light on the unit is lit and blinks like the unit gets power normally. Any suggestions? P.S. the data I have on it are very crucial, it would be a bit loss if no recovery can be made.
Optional Information: Computer OS: Windows 7 Browser: Chrome Already Tried: Just resetting the unit by unplugging it. I also tried the extednal HDD with other devices (stream box)w/no success.
Hi my name is XX XXX welcome to JustAnswer, a paid tech support site.
Are you saying nothing works USB on the computer?
No, the USB works just wine with other devices - only when I plug in the Maxtor OneTouch
do you have another computer you can plug the drive into to test
The problem is with the external HDD. Again, when I plug it in, computer (Win7) offers me to format the unis so I can use it. But I cannot format anything anything because of data.
Do you have another computer you can plug it into to test
No, but I tried 2 different Stream boxes and they do not recognize it either (my other external HDD - WD Elements is recognized just fine).
was this drive recogonized by the stream boxed before
Yes it was recognized by all devices I have; and it just quit being recognized by anything - yesterday.
does my computer show it with a drive letter
Yes, as I but e.g. in Total Commander it shows "I" only instead as "I (OneTouch)" as it did before. E.g. it does not show the full description anymore (in the button bar).
right click drive I and then click properties, tools
check now
ok, just a sec
then click check now button
The popus said: The disc cannot be checked because windows cannot access the disc
please download the trial edition of the following software and see if it can see any files on it.
http://www.krollontrack.com/resource-library/free-downloads/
downloading ... a few sec left
then run the program. It will take a while. Point it to the external drive.
I sure will Ed. Geez, computers changed soo much; when you loose track, you are out ;-)
setup is running
ok
Data recovery tab - but which option?
Standard recovery?
yes standard
It sees the Maxtor, NTFS partition;
ok. Scan it and see if it finds files
it is scanning on the dialog box is showing the files ... but let's wait for the total result, right?
wow but it says it will take 5 hours lol
yes. It will take some time but should list directory structure.
ok and than what? Sorry, I feel like a dummy :-(
Unfortunately this trial version will only recover a single file. At least we will know that the drive is readable.
At least - which is a good news somewhat. I was moving everything to my new WD Elements but did not make it on time :-(
because data needed organizing. Me bad.
how much stuff in gb do you think you have and need
All.
Or - at least - most of it.
how many gb
like 200
:-(
It is mostly business stuff
here is a utility that is free. I use there paid data recovery program which works well. This version is a partition recovery which seems like what you need.
http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Partition-Recovery/3000-2248_4-75279786.html?tag=mncol;10
Ed, if you think that I should get the full version - after I make sure I can see all my files - I can do that. If there is anything cheaper, I would appreciate your advice.
sorry, I missed your last post
be carefule when using cnet downloads to uncheck anything they add to the downloads
I will. Like toolbars etc., correct?
yes and Mcafee. They all want to trick you into downloading stuff
And last question: what do you think happened? Partition issue?
click the big green download button not anything else on the page
can't really say what happened. Drive could have gotten bumped, unplugged before files finished writing, etc. You are supposed to eject disks before unplugging
I do that ... but I am not always home and, you know, with kids ...
yup
so big green saying CNET downoad enabled? I did not go to CNET for awhile
yes
oh, there was direct download link below.
doesn't matter
OK, sorry for my step to step questions but I realy need that data :-(. Should I stop the Easy Recovery scanning rocess?
yes. It at least says it sees it. I use that software a lot so it is proof that the drive is somewhat readable so now it is a matter of finding something else that can also see it. I use the Easeus full paid program also but have never run the free partition fixer.
OK ... so to sum that up; either software should be able to help me with the recovery. But if I have some additional questions during the process - is there a way how to ask you?
yes just save this page as a favorite and reply back. DO not start a new question. The partition recovery will be easier if it works as it will recovery everything in one sweep. The file recovery requires you to save all the files to another location, reformat the drive, and then copy them back. DIfferent type situations. Hopefully the partition can just be recovered
I sure hope so too. But even with the file recovery - I will move all data to my WD 3T soon and make a backup on my another external (I have 2 HDD with 3T) to prevent this happening in future.
good luck
thank you ... should I hit "accept" button - because I am happy with your answer ;-)
Yes. And again you can always reply back later for more help with this issue. Save this page as a favorite
ok ... sorry, I am still shaking ... it took me a long time to collect that data :-(
Experience: Own a Computer Repair Store
Hi Ed ... So just for your information. I ended up buying EASEUS data recovery full version ($55 was not that bad) and after a few days of playing with the disc (just reading it took about 30h) it seems that I have recovered all the data from it. Well, it said it was not successful for one file which is not that bad compared to almost 300GB of various data. Well, I tried the partition recovery first but it did not want to find any partition on the disc for some reason (I tried both type of seaches). So - since I had another external HDD, I went for the data recovery SW.The data look fine at the first glimpse (file tree structure, approx. number of files etc.); will know for sure in couple of months, but I have a feeling you advice worked. So I thank you again very much! I am burning the most valuable data to the DVD right now and thinking why did I not do that a way sooner. Me bad.Last question: what would you do with the external HDD itself (after I make sure I have all data I need from it)? Reformat and try to use it for a quick storage or keep it just in case or just get rid of it? Just wonder ...Have a great weekend and many thanks again!Dana Warkentin
As long as you can verify that some of the data recovered is good I would download the Seagate utility to test the drive and if it's good then reformat it. Not sure I would use it for critical data until you have used it for a while.