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    External HDD not showing up or initializing (I/O Read Error)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by hiddensanctum, Mar 11, 2010.

  1. hiddensanctum

    hiddensanctum Notebook Evangelist

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    My External HDD that I've been using for over a year to back up my files suddenly does not show up anymore.

    When I try going to Disk Management I see that its not initialized and when I try to initialize it it gives me an I/O read error.

    I've tried uninstalling the driver than reinstalling it, plugging it into different USB ports but nothing.

    I downloaded the Seagate software and tried to reformat it but it says "Format Failed"

    Any Suggestions?
     
    hiddensanctum, Mar 11, 2010
    #1
  2. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    newsposter, Mar 11, 2010
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  3. Jaycee8980

    Jaycee8980 Notebook Deity

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    I would suggest you take the HDD out of the enclosure and either stick it in a new enclosure or buy some SATA to USB cables and connect it to your computer that way.

    Sounds like your SATA cable/controller inside the enclosure died on you.

    ..or...your drive is dead :)
     
    Jaycee8980, Mar 11, 2010
    #3
  4. hiddensanctum

    hiddensanctum Notebook Evangelist

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    I reformatted my computer and now it works, but after using it for like 5 minutes. It died on me again. Its being awfully inconsistent, any idea what might be causing this?
     
    hiddensanctum, Mar 11, 2010
    #4
  5. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    The drive or the enclosure is dying. Back up the data off of it ASAP and replace it.
     
    Pitabred, Mar 11, 2010
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  6. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    This might be a long shot but try to put it inside your computer and dban it.
     
    hendra, Mar 11, 2010
    #6