Solved File History Doesn't Recognize This Drive

melonball95678

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I am getting the errors Could Not Enable File History: The System Cannot Find the File Specified and File History Doesn't Recognize This Drive. I've tried a couple solutions I've seen posted. I tried deleting the File History folders on the external drive and in the AppData folder (although the File History folders never contain any files, they are always empty). I tried sharing the File History folder on the external drive with Everyone. Nothing has worked. I am out of ideas.

Edit: I've also tried to select another drive or reselect the external drive; I get the message "We found some files you previously copied using File History" and asks if I would like to move them. It won't let me choose No, i.e. choosing No has the same effect as choosing Cancel. If I choose yes, I get an error message saying it can't complete the migration. It seems like I need to reset File History somehow and maybe get rid of these leftover files (although I don't know where they would have come from, because I don't think I've ever turned on File History in the past, but I could be wrong there.) At any rate I don't know where these leftover files would be located because I've already deleted every File History folder I could find (in AppData and on external drive).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
File History Doesn't Recognize This Drive.

Can you post a screenshot of the actual failure message and also a screenshot of Disk Management and tell us which drive is not working?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
File History 1.PNG

Open File History then click Turn On:

File History 2.PNG

Click No:

File History 3.PNG

Click Close:

File History 4.PNG

File History 5.PNG

Drive F
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
Can you try reformatting that drive as a simple (basic) NTFS volume (since you have never used File History before) because I don't understand why your F drive is marked with an "active" partition. Did you use that on a different computer previously?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Reformatting was the first step I tried when File History didn't work, but I will reformat again and make sure it is a basic volume. Perhaps I messed up not paying attention, I don't know. I've never used the drive on another computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
Reformatting was the first step I tried when File History didn't work, but I will reformat again and make sure it is a basic volume. Perhaps I messed up not paying attention, I don't know. I've never used the drive on another computer.

I don't understand where the "active" came from....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Me neither. I am doing a full reformat right now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
After reformatting, it is still marked as an Active partition. Is there a way to unmark it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
After reformatting, it is still marked as an Active partition. Is there a way to unmark it?

See what option you have if you right-click. After you formatted, did you create a simple volume? This is an external drive; correct?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Update: I just went and looked up that ADATA CH11 and it is one of those USB 3.0 portable types (like Passport) and, since I don't know much about them, it is possible that the active mark is somehow required and tied to that firmware but I have no way to be sure about that. However, I do know there is something different about those portable USB 3.0 drives that makes them quite different from a standard SATA drive in an external enclosure. I guess what I'm saying at this point is that you might be better served if someone else helps you that really understands those drives. All I know is their issues are usually quite different than the ones I'm accustomed to dealing with. Anyone?

Amazon.com : ADATA CH11 1TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive ACH11-1TU3-CPK (Pink) : Electronics
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Yeah, the only choices it gave me were Delete Volume, Shrink Volume, or Format. You may very well be right that the drive itself leaves you no choice but to format with an Active partition. I wonder if File History just won't work with an Active partition?
At any rate, I thank you for the help you have provided so far :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
Yeah, the only choices it gave me were Delete Volume, Shrink Volume, or Format. You may very well be right that the drive itself leaves you no choice but to format with an Active partition. I wonder if File History just won't work with an Active partition?
At any rate, I thank you for the help you have provided so far :)

Hi meellonball95678,

Here's hoping that someone with one of those "special" USB drives will respond. I'm sure there's a way. BTW, have you check the manufacturer's website for any firmware updates? Good luck and thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
So the issue isn't the drive at all; it's the fact that the File History service wasn't started. In all my internet forum research, I never once came across this being the issue, but there you go, it's always the obvious things isn't it? lol
At any rate, the Startup Type is set to Manual (Triggered), which is the default setting. I assume Manual (Triggered) means the service should start when you turn on File History from the Control Panel, but obviously this was not the case for me.
I'm going to let it run for a little while before I reboot and see what happens.

Update: Well, it has been a couple of days and no further issues, so I will call this solved :party: For whatever reason, I needed to manually start the service. I noticed that Startup Type is now set to Automatic (Delayed Start, Trigger Start) after rebooting and it has stayed that way.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X875
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    Toshiba Base Board
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
    Sound Card
    RealTek High Definiton Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MK6051GSYN 500 GB x2
    ADATA Classic CH11 500 GB
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    30 mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2014
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