If you can get it up and running, run the Western Digital Data Lifeguard program -- 3 tests. That software tests the hard drive HARDWARE, unlike chkdsk which checks data integrity.
Unsafe removal of external hard drive
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Anonymous
I had the system powered down and unplugged everything to move it to a new location.
I did not safely eject my external hard drive (Win 7).
Now the drive will not get recognized on any of my pc's or laptop?
How can I fix this?
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers
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6 answers
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Anonymous
2019-11-29T18:58:00+00:00 -
Anonymous
2019-11-28T20:44:42+00:00 Unplugging a mass storage device while the system is powered down is always safe.
Perhaps your disk was exposed to physical shock during the move. Does the BIOS see it?
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Anonymous
2019-11-29T18:40:11+00:00 Thank you.
Its a full size 2TB Hitachi.
It fell off of a table several years ago but worked fine till i unplugged it unsafely.
I have external connectors.
Ill crack open the case & plug it in w/one of those & hope for the best.
I have a ton of data on there i dont want to loose including pictures of my daughter covering 10 years.
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Anonymous
2019-11-29T14:59:57+00:00 For future reference, do NOT buy those small ones. They have 2.5" hard drives in them just like the ones in laptops. They are very delicate and easily damaged. The larger ones that have 3.5" drives inside are quite significantly more durable.
My experience differs from yours. Over the years I have purchased countless 2.5" disks and they all perform flawlessly, provided that they are handled with care. All laptops have 2.5" disks built into them and they are the same ones that you can buy separately. Buying a 3.5" brick is fine if the user is prepared to live with the large size and weight and the need to have an external power pack.
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Anonymous
2019-11-29T14:54:54+00:00 Right-click on computer
Choose Manage
Click on Disk Management
If you see the external drive there and it does not show up in the Computer display, then the drive needs to be reformatted.
If you do not see it there, it is likely damaged in some way.
I see this a lot with those pre-packaged external disk drives. The problem is most always with the controller part of the device. If you crack open the case and it may require just that, you will find an ordinary hard drive inside. In most cases the drive is still just fine. You can gamble and buy yourself an enclosure such as this:
For future reference, do NOT buy those small ones. They have 2.5" hard drives in them just like the ones in laptops. They are very delicate and easily damaged. The larger ones that have 3.5" drives inside are quite significantly more durable.
I discourage my clients from buying the pre-built kinds. Instead, buy the enclosure and buy a drive. Easy to assemble. The enclosure includes the controller that interfaces with the computer and they are significantly superior to the pre-built ones. In the end, the cost will be little more.