HDD not Detected: Disk 1, Unknown, Not Initialized, Online

[MelissaM]

I have this 160GB hard drive that I have not been using for a while, yet I am very sure it was working fine the last time I used it.

Today when I plugged it in to my new notebook that is running Windows 8.1 now, it doesn't detect my hard drive. I also tried on other notebook and it has the same issue. So I know the problem is most likely on the hard drive.

Using Command Prompt, it says Disk 1's status is "Online", but size is "0".

Here is the status at Computer Management:
Disk 1
Unknown
Not Initialized

I also tried to Initialize on MBR, but it returned me with "Incorrect function." message.

I tried "Troubleshoot" and the result says:
"USB Mass Storage Device is an older USB device and might not work with USB 3.0
Plug the device into an available USB 2.0 port..."
My notebook has 3 USB ports where according to the manual, 2 of them are backward compatible to 2.0... I tested on each, but it is still not working.

What should I do? Although I have not been using it for a while, I wish to check the content first before formatting it. I might have some forgotten, yet important files within.

Thanks in advance. Hope I can be assisted here.

 

[alphanumeric]

If the controller in the enclosure failed removing the drive and slaving it into a desktop PC may let you recover your files. If the drive failed there isn't much you can do.

 

[MelissaM]

If the controller in the enclosure failed removing the drive and slaving it into a desktop PC may let you recover your files. If the drive failed there isn't much you can do.

All right. I will try plugging it to a desktop PC and see what it returns me this time.

Just in case if I can't recover my files at all. How do I format this hard drive and make it functional again?

 

[CountMike]

Why don't you try using something like this: Download Macrorit Disk Scanner - MajorGeeks to check HDD for bad sectors etc. Or if you know the make of the HDD you can use a test program for that particular make. You can find appropriate program here: Download Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Tools Tools for Windows - MajorGeeks

 

[MelissaM]

Why don't you try using something like this: Download Macrorit Disk Scanner - MajorGeeks to check HDD for bad sectors etc. Or if you know the make of the HDD you can use a test program for that particular make. You can find appropriate program here: Download Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Tools Tools for Windows - MajorGeeks

Using the Macrorit Disk Scanner you provided, it wasn't able to detect the hard drive. Only my notebook's internal hard drive was detected, even after reloading/refreshing the disk

The manufacturer is Western Digital. I downloaded WD's diagnostics tool and performed the test. It only detected as "USB" instead of recognizing it as a WD product and unable to determine the capacity of the drive.
The test result was a "PASS" but oh well, with the capacity: 0.00GB (refer to screenshots).

 

[Tews]

It would seem that your drive is toast.

 

[CountMike]

Before getting some peanut butter on that "toast" try some programs like this "Easeus Data Recovery Wizard Free" (just Google it, it will not let me paste that address here).
to see if something can be recovered from the disk. It might be something as simple as not having a letter assigned to it.

 

[MelissaM]

Before getting some peanut butter on that "toast" try some programs like this "Easeus Data Recovery Wizard Free" (just Google it, it will not let me paste that address here).
to see if something can be recovered from the disk. It might be something as simple as not having a letter assigned to it.

Thank you CountMike for the link! I installed and tried it, it doesn't list the drive at all

It would seem that your drive is toast.

I hope at least it is still usable after having it formatted? If I can't recover or took a peek at the content, then at least I would like to use it as a "new", additional storage. Is there a way to wipe/format it?

 

[CountMike]

There might be a power issue with the adapter, it would really be best if you puled it out of the casing (if possible) and try directly in the computer, Which model exactly is that drive. ?

 

[MelissaM]

There might be a power issue with the adapter, it would really be best if you puled it out of the casing (if possible) and try directly in the computer, Which model exactly is that drive. ?

Yes I have pulled it out of the casing but it doesn't do anything better.
The model of the hard drive is WD Blue (EIDE) WD1600BEVE.

 

[CountMike]

Can you feel it spinning at all ?
I just run WD DLG tools on my WD HDDs (have 2) and after doing short test I can see there is an option to "Write Zeros" which is especially low level format. It will erase all the data on disk but might make it work after that.

 

[MelissaM]

Can you feel it spinning at all ?
I just run WD DLG tools on my WD HDDs (have 2) and after doing short test I can see there is an option to "Write Zeros" which is especially low level format. It will erase all the data on disk but might make it work after that.

Uh-oh it says "Delete Partitions Error!" on both Quick and Full Erase.

I think it really is toasted...

 

[CountMike]

Can you feel it spinning at all ?
I just run WD DLG tools on my WD HDDs (have 2) and after doing short test I can see there is an option to "Write Zeros" which is especially low level format. It will erase all the data on disk but might make it work after that.

Uh-oh it says "Delete Partitions Error!" on both Quick and Full Erase.

I think it really is toasted...

Well you did your best, RIP the drive than. I think I have seen more dead than live HDDs in my life.

 

[MelissaM]

Oh yes, I forgot to reply on spinning part. I could hear it spinning and there is a light indicator to tell that it is plugged.

Can you feel it spinning at all ?
I just run WD DLG tools on my WD HDDs (have 2) and after doing short test I can see there is an option to "Write Zeros" which is especially low level format. It will erase all the data on disk but might make it work after that.

Uh-oh it says "Delete Partitions Error!" on both Quick and Full Erase.

I think it really is toasted...

Well you did your best, RIP the drive than. I think I have seen more dead than live HDDs in my life.

Hahaha. I totally agree with you! It's an old hard drive anyways... I think I bought it around year 2008 or 2009. But it is also vexing that I know it was working completely fine the last time and I kept it well on my shelf. Only to return my "care" with this.

Thanks so much for your help! I am glad I come to this forum that I receive responses so quick!

This problem is basically not solved, so how do I conclude this post?

 

[CountMike]

If it's spinning and showing up on test program, that can mean heads are in trouble. Keep the post open, maybe somebody will have another idea. I'm pretty much out of them.

 

[alphanumeric]

It would seem that your drive is toast.

Maybe, maybe not. It could just be the USB interface in the enclosure that failed. I don't think the OP has removed the drive from the enclosure yet. That would be my next move. A lot of those uitilities may actually work with the drive connected in a PC and removed from the enclosure.

 

[CountMike]

I read this in earlier post "Yes I have pulled it out of the casing but it doesn't do anything better.
The model of the hard drive is WD Blue (EIDE) WD1600BEVE. "
so I assumed it's connected directly to IDE port. To connect 2.4" HDD to desktop PC it would need an adapter from micro (laptop ) connector to full size IDE for Desktop PC.

 

[MelissaM]

It would seem that your drive is toast.

Maybe, maybe not. It could just be the USB interface in the enclosure that failed. I don't think the OP has removed the drive from the enclosure yet. That would be my next move. A lot of those uitilities may actually work with the drive connected in a PC and removed from the enclosure.

I read this in earlier post "Yes I have pulled it out of the casing but it doesn't do anything better.
The model of the hard drive is WD Blue (EIDE) WD1600BEVE. "
so I assumed it's connected directly to IDE port. To connect 2.4" HDD to desktop PC it would need an adapter from micro (laptop ) connector to full size IDE for Desktop PC.

I am sorry if I misunderstood your sentences. Did you mean the pins?

The pins are soldered intact with IDE to USB 2.0 circuit.

 

[alphanumeric]

I read this in earlier post "Yes I have pulled it out of the casing but it doesn't do anything better.
The model of the hard drive is WD Blue (EIDE) WD1600BEVE. "
so I assumed it's connected directly to IDE port. To connect 2.4" HDD to desktop PC it would need an adapter from micro (laptop ) connector to full size IDE for Desktop PC.

Yes, I see that now, missed it before somehow, sorry. Yeah it sounds like the drive died.

 

[CountMike]

Yes, I thought that the drive itself is independent of the adapter and housing itself, I have couple of them like that. HDD can actually be disconnected and placed in a laptop or suitable adapter to ordinary, full size IDE connector. LGH 2.5" HDD to 3.5" HDD Adapter with IDE Interface, Notebook HDD to Regular 40-Pin adapter or with this to USB Mini USB to ZIF/IDE 1.8" Adapter -- XRP International Co., Limited.