The Magnificent Goldberg Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 I've had a few messages from Windows today when I've tried to access my external hard drive to say it's not formatted and doesn't contain a recognisable file system. I think it's a lie, because after rebooting earlier, I was able to access it. But I've tried twice this afternoon and get the same result. I've heard hard drives are unpredictable. Does it sound like this has had it? Anyone know? MG Quote
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Posted November 5, 2009 If I reboot after getting that message, it lets me into one of the small directories - one with mainly text files (though I haven't tried to fire up a file; but all the sub-directories are there). As soon as I try to access one of the music directories or photos, it says there's nothing there. MG Quote
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 What she said (@3:59) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4CgLRcYN74 Quote
Serioza Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) The Magnificent Goldberg said: ..... I think it's a lie,.... MG try polygraph Edited November 5, 2009 by Serioza Quote
BERIGAN Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 My answer to everything...have you tried system restore??? I don't have an external harddrive though, so needless to say, never tried it for this problem. At least you can just grab it and take to a computer shop to check out, easier than the whole computer, right?? Quote
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Posted November 5, 2009 Well, it's back now. But I suppose I had better take this as a sign that it's going to give out pretty soon and start to think about thinking about forming a band - no, no, getting a backup HD! MG Son-of-a-Weizen said: What she said (@3:59) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4CgLRcYN74 Amazingly, my connection was good enough to get the 3:59! Yes. MG Quote
seeline Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) MG, have you checked the How-To Geek site and forums? *Definitely* my 1st go-to for computer problems.... they explain everything in plain, readable English - I wouldn't be surprised to find that it's part of their mission statement. I've gotten lots of answers and help there. Edited November 5, 2009 by seeline Quote
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Posted November 5, 2009 seeline said: MG, have you checked the How-To Geek site and forums? *Definitely* my 1st go-to for computer problems.... they explain everything in plain, readable English - I wouldn't be surprised to find that it's part of their mission statement. I've gotten lots of answers and help there. Thanks Seeline - I tried that site. Never heard of it before. Found a forum thread with the identical problem but it never reached a conclusion to say whether the last thing the guy tried worked or not. Oh well... I suppose I'll be better off having two than one. MG Quote
seeline Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) Have you posted your own query? It's worth a try. Also, you'll want to check out the links (to various topics/categories) on their home page... Could be something specific to your OS (just guessing). Edited November 5, 2009 by seeline Quote
.:.impossible Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 My advice: go now and purchase a RAID-capable NAS and transfer your data immediately. Don't let that external shut down again until it has been backed up completely! Once backed up, wipe the drive and reformat. You may be ok at that point, but a lot of folks would buy a new enclosure if it fails again. Often times, that will solve your problems. Depending on the value of the data, the expense is negligible. Good luck Maggie. Quote
.:.impossible Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 Christiern said: Need I say it? :0 ps if you think this is an apple vs windows issue, I have a 500gb Lacie triple interface bookend that I'll sell to the highest bidder. Only a year and a half old. I'm sure thousands of folks are now looking to unload their Apple Time Capsules before they hit that magic mark as well. Quote
7/4 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Posted November 5, 2009 .:.impossible said: My advice: go now and purchase a RAID-capable NAS and transfer your data immediately. Don't let that external shut down again until it has been backed up completely! Once backed up, wipe the drive and reformat. You may be ok at that point, but a lot of folks would buy a new enclosure if it fails again. Often times, that will solve your problems. Depending on the value of the data, the expense is negligible. Good luck Maggie. Quote
seeline Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 Well, not if the problem is with the external HD.... Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 Macs still have harddrive failures. I agree with impossible. Get your valuable stuff off it as soon as possible. It sounds like the directory table might be on its way out. Never a good thing. Rather than re-format and hope it doesn't crap out again, I'd just buy a new harddrive and put it in the old case once you have everything you want off it. Quote
Noj Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 (edited) It's a good idea to back up external and internal hard drives to DVD-Rs. Edited November 6, 2009 by Noj Quote
seeline Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 (edited) What Jim, impossible and Noj said. Hard drives break down. (I had 3 fail on me in less than 2 years' time.) It's not an OS thing (Win vs. Mac), it's more like defects and (I sometimes think) planned obsolescence. Edited November 6, 2009 by seeline Quote
Shawn Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 Good advice there MG from everyone. 1. copy all the data off the external. 2. buy a new external 3. copy all of the data back over to the new external. 4. buy a mac. Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 For the record, the worst computer I've owned so far has been my wife's macbook that I bought for her. Nothing but trouble with that thing. So Macs are not impervious to hardware issues. The software side of the equation... that's a different story! Quote
BERIGAN Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 (edited) papsrus said: Get a Mac. End of problems. Buy a Mac, it just works Buy a Mac, it just works Buy a Mac, it just works Buy a Mac, it just works Buy a Mac, it just works Edited November 6, 2009 by BERIGAN Quote
AllenLowe Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 I recommend, to everyone here, to wipe everything you own and re-format it with Vista.************* *******disclaimer: person making this suggestion has been running a fever for 4 days and cannot be held responsible for any remarks posted while under the influence of various pharmaceuticals Quote
Shrdlu Posted November 6, 2009 Report Posted November 6, 2009 I have the same problem with my USB memory stick. The stick, and its contents, are fine, but sometimes the pcs I use it on refuse to recognize all the files. It's just the pc's time of the month. Quote
papsrus Posted November 7, 2009 Report Posted November 7, 2009 Jim Alfredson said: For the record, the worst computer I've owned so far has been my wife's macbook that I bought for her. Nothing but trouble with that thing. So Macs are not impervious to hardware issues. The software side of the equation... that's a different story! Huh. I have a Macbook and have never had any trouble with it. Love it. I'm no computer nerd, but I've owned both mac and Windows PC, and use Windows at work. The Mac platform is muuuuuuch smoother. For moi, anyways. Quote
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