My portable 4tb HDD is not recognized

Hey guys.
Been using SEAGATE EXPANSION 4TB PO 580/4672 for almost 2 years now, and a few days ago, the USB 3 pins got dislodged from the SATA/USB connector.

Anyway, I had to remove the HDD from its casing, ordered a new Sabrent SATA to USB cable, and tried connecting the external HDD to the laptop like that, and while its coming up in the notifications area as 'External USB 3.0'... its not registering or showing up in Windows Explorer at all.

Under disk management, it comes up as 'Healhty' (GPT Protective Partition)... and as you can see from the screenshot, I cannot edit it at all.

I have a lot of data on that HDD, and I'd prefer not to lose it.
So... how can I make the external HDD visible in Windows Explorer so I could access it along with the data?

Some online search suggested a broken MBR... but I have no idea whether that could be the issue, nor how to fix it without losing the data (or more to the point, which software I could use).

But as I said, that might not be the issue.
Ideas and suggestions would be welcome

 

When I normally come across this it is because the disk has the same internal name number as another. You have to change it with a command prompt or Linux. it is the low level name itself, not the one we normally see.

Edit
https://www.wintips.org/how-to-change-hard-disks-volume-serial-number-volume-id/

 

So, how would I go about doing that if I don't know the drive letter for the external HDD nor is it showing up in Windows except 'external USB 3' (but no access to the drive itself).?

The second method 'HardDiskSerialNumberChanger' program doesn't detect the HDD at all.

 

Sorry neorons not firing, been a long time. try; https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/markrussinovich/2011/11/06/fixing-disk-signature-collisions/

Now usually I encountered this on the c volume so I knew that already, you may have further issues. Your problem may not have been from a clone but a duplicate from the registry etc......

 

You're saying the disk was 4TB in size, yet if I read your JPG correctly, it shows as 16TB? Also shows as protective partition? Is this how you set it up originally or something got corrupted when pins were bend and data didn't write properly?
Maybe this could help
https://www.diskgenius.com/how-to/gpt-protective-partition.php
But I never came across this issue, therefore can't say it will work.

 

The HDD was not set up like that.
But the pins DID bend (on the usb portion of the converter/ not the SATA portion).
Other HDD software seems to be reading the HDD in a similar fashion but will also show it a primarily 4TB.

 

do you have Mini tool partition wizard? It was free, does have partition recovery wizard, it can read files on partitions OS can't easily access and it had portable version, so you didn't have to install it on your drive. I have not updated that program since last year, so not 100% all this is still true with newest version, but just in case another program you could try.

 

I'm just running the partition recovery wizard. At 9% only.... and that's a quick scan.

I don't know if it will work though... I have some important files I can't lose on that HDD... If I can at least retrieve the most important files, that would be good, alas, I have no ideas on how to access the data in question since the drive is invisible in Windows.

Maybe if I try running a bootable Linux distro and see if I can access the drive from there?

 

The cable I see is for a 2.5 drive not a 3.5, you need a dock as the 3.5's require a good external supply. https://www.bing.com/search?q=do+3....-24&sk=&cvid=0530FA42592840EBBF651814F1E69C5B

 

@Deks Once you have got external power supply working and still HDD shows GPT protective state? I think its enabling Security Freeze so I will recommend you boot into Ubuntu and use Disks or GParted to check if its working or not. If it is not mounting/opening up then put the PC into suspend mode and try GParted Repair Filesystem ASAP since the time window closes pretty soon.

 

I always use a doc' less fidgeting that way. I have had a dual drive doc since forever, first a USB 2.0 then a USB 3.0 once that was available.

 

I use separate ones. I didn't know there were dual drive bays on a dock. Let me check it out.

 

Yeah there are even bigger. My old one supported USB 2.0 and ESATA but my laptop ESATA port only supported a single drive.

Edit; I should note the USB enclosure got bad reviews but turned out it was a cheap USB 3.0 cable, replaced it and been fine for years now.

 

Its just a 2.5" portable 4TB HDD that draws power from the USB only... it doesn't have its own power supply.

 

I thought it was Expansion Desktop drive. I've a 2TB drive.

 

Nope. If you check my original post, I did mention its a 2.5" HDD... the PO designation in the full description probably means 'portable'.
Anyway... do you know what might be causing the problem with it?

 

It might be security freeze thing that can detect drive removals and aftermarket enclosure and adapter. Boot up Ubuntu LiveCD and put it to suspend mode and read SMART status using Disks. It will say Security Freeze disabled.

 

I went over the OP several times and 2.5 is not there. It seems though then this is 15mm drive. but it does seem the SATA logic is being powered but the drive is not spinning, is it?

 

My mistake. Should have been clearer then.
But, if you copy/paste the name of the HDD, it should come up online as a portable HDD 2.5"
It's not 15mm... its 12.5mm.

The drive seems to be spinning, I can hear it being processed by MiniTool.
By the way, the Recovery partition wizard didn't work.

 

I'll have to try that tomorrow.
The MiniTool partition recovery Wizard finished, but didn't really work.
It actually offered to delete the partition, but I refused.

 

I searched for the full numbers you provided to no avail, for PO drives it seems they came up with the 2.5's though. it could be the cable you have just does not allow for enough power, I still suggest trying a powered DOC.

 

I don't have one. Will need to check after work if the sata/usb converter I got is rated to supply enough power (quite possibly not as you say, because I doubt the HDD would suddenly fail if it worked prior to the original sata to usb converter being damaged).

 

@Deks I had a 2.5" drive not being recognized after being disconnected by mistake. The issue was resolved after I put it in a USB3.0 to dual 2.5" SATA enclosure AND connected additional power to the microUSB on enclosure. After that the drive was recognized, and still works in its original enclosure without additional power. I suspect using a Y-cable connected to good PSU will deliver the same results as fancy enclosure. I understand that you're expericencing somewhat different symptoms, but I believe it is worth a try. Good luck!

 

I ordered a sata to USB converter with its own power pack.
What I don't understand is.. why aren't cables sold online capable of providing enough power through the USB?
The original enclosure certainly could (that was the whole point of me getting a 4TB portable HDD.. so I don't have to keep it plugged/chained to a power supply, but would instead get its power from USB itself).

 

The problem, as always, is they are saving a few cents. I had one of the first 2.5's as 320 GB and 7,20 rpm Seagate drives and out of the old laptop it would not power in an enclosure under usb 2.0 until I added a power supply.

 

Yeah, but my laptop isn't exactly 'old'.
It's a Helios 500 with Ryzen Vega and USB 3 ports... I think this has more to do with the cables themselves rather than the laptops usb port.

 

Agreed but again if the wires are too thin the amperage needed is not there.

 

Yup... the external HDD works now.
It was a power supply issue with the cable I used (it couldn't supply enough power).
Which begs the question... which SATA to USB 3 converter cable would be capable of providing enough power over just USB like the original enclosure did?
I really hate being 'chained' to the mains with this thing

 

Its been nearly 2 years since I bought the HDD in question. You'd think the cables needed to supply enough power via USB alone would be out by now.
Do you know where could I get them?
The HDD works now with the power pack, but I HATE being chained to the mains because of it.

 

Short & thick cables usually work fine, e.g. this. You need to have either Y-cable or powered enclosure, in case this situation happens again.

 

just a guess but because most HDD used in external enclosure are either refurbished drives, or have some defect that didnt pass QC. ever wonder why drive in an enclosure would be cheaper than a bare drive? theres the reason.

if drive has some sort of performance defect, they can limit the read/write performance with a usb controller/chip to keep it as a consistent product across multiple defective drives, thus reducing the power needed when read/write at say 50-60% of its original intended spec.

a USB 2.0 is 500ma while 3.0 is 900ma. most HDD especially 12.5-15mm class probably use more than that.

 

Actually, I don't think that would work since the HDD needs a SATA to USB converter itself capable of providing enough power to run the disk itself.

 

Glad the external power supply did the trick. as far as a cable or non powered doc, I am not sure what would work for you.

 

I also discovered I can use the external HDD without being plugged into the power socket and just being connected via USB like before.

It looks like I just needed SATA to USB converter capable of delivering enough power... as the previous ones obviously weren't powerful enough.
Well, at least that makes things easier.