External HDD disconnects then reconnects during file trans

About a few days ago I tried copying some stuff from my old laptop to my new one with my Toshiba HDD (750GB). Some are large sizes.

At least 2 files were corrupted and from then on out, I've been having issues with the external. The folder it was in could not be deleted. I tried EVERY possible way to delete it (it SEEMED to delete all the files when i did but it says there are still files in it). I ran all kinds of checks and defrag fixes and I assumed everything was fine (files showed up...) But now I can transfer files FROM it but not TO it. Once in a while I'd be able to get some stuff onto it but then it disconnects and says that the file I'm trying to copy from my laptop (both laptops now) is not in its location. Then the external HDD disconnects then reconnects. And I am having that folder deletion problem again.


I have gotten some prompts that I need to reformat my external. I'm not sure if I have to do that. I have never had this issue before.

EDIT: now I'm having issues transferring FROM the external.

1. Well first off try some diagnostic on it. Each manufacture has a tool on there web site that you can use to check out the hard drive itself! I personally use HD Tune Pro but that's not free.

Support :: Toshiba :: Computers, Laptops/Notebooks, Tablets, Televisions, DVD and Blu-Ray Players, Camcorders, Storage, Accessories, and more

2. If your using USB 3.0 I would suggest you delete the USB drivers from Device Manager. reboot and they will reinstall that might help.

3. If your hard drive checks out good, you might try a different external case. thinking maybe the chipset in the case could be failing.

4. Use Diskpart to Clean and create a logical partition and format it NTFS

As for losing files? you should be copying that way if something happens you still have the originals. Takes a little bit longer as you have to delete the originals once you have successfully copied them to the new location!

Going to give those a try.

It's been happening on both laptops (one is windows 7, 2010). As far as accessing files, I can seem to access ones prior to last week just fine.

Currently transfering 100GB of data from the external. So far it's going ok.....

While I'm transferring now, for some files t says it's not on the external/laptop when I transfer (when it is). It seems to be recently downloaded files though I had some music files where parts of the album wouldn't transfer.

Alright. I ran HD Tune, and attached are the results

I did run a disk check on it last night with my friend and defragged but it seems that didn't do anything.

You have some bad sectors there.

CountMike said:

You have some bad sectors there.

Click to expand...

Figured as such. Two more were picked up when I ran HD Tune again.

I just tried reformatting the external and midway through, it stopped. I got a prompt saying it could not format the drive.

I think this thing may be dying.

If you start getting more bad sectors, it likely its on it's way out. You could check connections and power again, use EaseUS Partition Master - Free Partition Magic alternative, Partition Manager Software for Windows PC and Server to repartition and zero the drive and/ or take it out from enclosure and connect it directly in case there's a fault with USB interface.