Problem with HDD enclosure - please help

maxi_isa

I recently got a "Max Value" hard drive enclosure to recover data from a failed hard disc.

When connected to a USB port my computer recognises the device but says the disc needs formatting. I'm reluctant to click "yes" for fear of losing my data.

When I go into properties, used space and free space are showing as 0 bytes.

Any ideas on how I can get this thing to work?

busenbust

I'm a little confused and need more info;). What hard disc is now in the enclosure? The 'failed' one? :huh:

sebastianj

I think You need to fit a Hard disc in the enclosure, have you installed one in the enclosure?
seb

maxi_isa

The failed disc is in the enclosure.

A friend was able to recover some data quite easily from this disc using his own enclosure so it should be possible for me do it too.

busenbust

A friend was able to recover some data quite easily from this disc using his own enclosure so it should be possible for me do it too.

:huh: :rotfl: Using recovery software?

maxi_isa

No special/recovery software was used.

Jakg

Recovering data from a working HDD in a broken PC = easy.

Recovering data from a dodgy HDD in a dodgy PC = Not so easy.

Just because your friends HDD was fine doesnt mean yours is.

Your File Allocation Table could well be corrupt.

DO NOT format the drive. Try running Recuva on Deep Scan to see what it can pick up, but dont hold any gaurantees.

busenbust

maxi_isa wrote: »

No special/recovery software was used.

:huh: So the drive is not damaged?

maxi_isa

Thanks Jakg - I'll download Recuva and have a go.

busenbust

Never a problem; hope you get it sorted

maxi_isa

I tried running Recuva on the problem disc and got the message "unable to read boot sector".

Does this suggest a possible fix?