Issue with WD External HD not being Recognized I/O error

vgupta45

New Member
Messages
6
So I have a WD external HD with all of my research data as well as some text books and other important things on there and for some reason I got an I/O error and after that the drive does not show on the computer anymore. The computer recognizes that there is a drive there and will read that it is a WD passport but cannot tell the size of the disk and will not register it as an external drive whose media I can explore and work with. What is wrong and how can I retrieve the data?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
So I have a WD external HD with all of my research data as well as some text books and other important things on there and for some reason I got an I/O error and after that the drive does not show on the computer anymore. The computer recognizes that there is a drive there and will read that it is a WD passport but cannot tell the size of the disk and will not register it as an external drive whose media I can explore and work with. What is wrong and how can I retrieve the data?

Could be the controller has become faulty... I/O sounds like the drive interface board has gone.

Have you tried running the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic from the WD website , see what it comes up with?

WD Support / Downloads / WD Elements / WD Elements Desktop
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Yes, but there is no drive being recognized. It only shows the main hard drive and nothing else.

If the the WD diagnostics aren't finding the hard drive , it could be a fault on the unit or a problem with the USB ports , have you tried using it on another PC , that would narrow the possible problem if it works on another PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Here is a list of things I have tried and done:
Used other USB drives (mouse, keyboard, other external drives, jump drives) and they have worked
Used the external on two other devices with two other operating systems (windows 7 and windows vista) and they were not there. Same issue though, it would see that there was a device there and recognized that there was a device but could not read the media or show the contents of the drive/ show the drive on the My Computer page

The light for the drive turns on and shows that it is connected but keeps flashing rather than just stays on for the whole time.

It was suggested that the PCB may be damaged
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
If it is possible to remove the drive and connect it directly to MB you will find if it is the fault with interface or the drive itself. If the drive itself is OK than you can get another box or adapter to USB for it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
So try to attach it to the motherboard. Would replacing the PCB head be a viable option as well? Or is that a lost case
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
If by "PCB head" you mean a new adapter (box) for SATA to USB interface, yes there are a lot of them on the market that would take your HDD and make it work on USB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
All that is with a condition that HDD itself is working.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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