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Yet another way my computer is trying to screw me over. :(
Tonight my computer is not reading the stuff on my external hard drive. Like, at first I thought it had reformatted it and I was all "nooooooo!" But then I realised the properties still tell me Free space: 556Gb, Total size: 931Gb which means the information is still there, but my computer is only bringing up a blank.
I tried restarting several times and plugging it back in, which usually fixes issues with hard drives for my compy, but it's not working this time. :(
help... *squeak*
All my media files, not to mention that was the back up for my stupid hard drive of fail. :(
EDIT: Freaking a bit... Seems everyone has this problem... O_O
Tonight my computer is not reading the stuff on my external hard drive. Like, at first I thought it had reformatted it and I was all "nooooooo!" But then I realised the properties still tell me Free space: 556Gb, Total size: 931Gb which means the information is still there, but my computer is only bringing up a blank.
I tried restarting several times and plugging it back in, which usually fixes issues with hard drives for my compy, but it's not working this time. :(
help... *squeak*
All my media files, not to mention that was the back up for my stupid hard drive of fail. :(
EDIT: Freaking a bit... Seems everyone has this problem... O_O
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You definitely need to plug it in another computer to check if the problem is with the hard drive or you PC, though.
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I'm almost in tears. I don't even want to think how that reflects on my life choices and reliance on computers...
*snuggles*
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*hugs*
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Hope you get it sorted.
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GAH! Thanks for trying to help. I wish it were that simple.
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Good luck!
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Thank you for your icon. It has brought me much needed lolz. *pets Adama*
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Baltar agrees that the situation sucks. :(
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Lizzie is not happy. :(
Dr Sandstrom expresses my current feelings on the situation.
I'll maybe see if someone else has a computer that might run it. Maybe one of the IT ladies at work can help me. *sigh*
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Solution:
For starters, the problem you have shown in the link is a windows XP problem. Windows has a limit of 250gb of managable hard drive size for the software. You have to update your current version with all three service packs - usually the third pack should solve the problem at least in parts.
When all is updated, the harddrive may be there again. You can use the method below to avoid that this crash happens again - next time it may not be that easy.
If not, then the drive is too large for XP to find it without problems.
The fool proof solution to avoid that it happens again, and cure the current problem is to part the large hard drive up into partitions with 250gb max. This is managable for windows xp with all service packs easily. I am operating Windows XP home ed. with over 1000gb on several external and internal harddrives( three of them Maxtor). The trick is to have all in Windows compatiple chunks.
Since this is only an external harddrive you don't have to set up your entire system. (As long as your patitions on the internal harddrive are below 250 each, if not you may want to think about changing it in the future, or upgrade to a different software.)
First step for this is to recover the data and put it somewhere where it can be stored until your harddrive is back to a managable size.
There are freeware programs to recover data, also working with this type of problem. The PC inspector thing should be able to find the data on the drive, and can copy it off the harddrive to another spot. The only rule is, that you don't safe on the same harddrive as you recover from.
http://pc-inspector-file-recovery.softonic.de/
This program has several language options, an english one, too. Follow the steps, and most of the common files should be there again. If there is a data failure as cause for the data loss, you can also use a hand full of freeware programs to repair your data.
Format the large patition with windows into smaller parts below 250gb each. if you got about 900gb, you'll have a set of about 3 or 4 patitions.All in working sizes. Important is also that you format with your current windows with the installation boot CD. This works best.
As a general tip for the future: Part up large hard drives into small patitions to avoid windows messing it up.
If you have more questions feel free to PN. I had this problem ten or more times in the past with several of my friend's pcs and all work fine now.
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The hard drive is working again after some sort of system recovery took place, right now. I'm assuming I'd have to reformat the drive in order to have partitions, so I'll have to have a second drive handy to pop all the data onto before trying to do that. Reformat = erasing the data, yes?
Then there may well be more questions.
Thank you!! xx
*wanders off to find coffee*
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Afterwards you'll have to format it. I'm going to go and find you a freeware program to do that for externals - It was a little late last night, so I forgot that the windows boot CD wont find external drives, so you'll need one.
Just send me an PM when you're ready for that step.
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Thank you!! :)
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