"You need to format the disk in drive J: before you can use it"

Anonymous
2009-11-27T14:36:21+00:00

The error message says "You need to format the disk in drive J: before you can use it" I have a removable USB storage drive that i always plugged in to my computer everytime I download movies save disk space on my computer.  Now it want me to format this storage disk.  Also,where it used to label this disk as "Removable Disk", it is not labeled as Local Disk J:. I don't want to format this disk because it will erase all my files and folders on this removable USB storage disk.  Please help me.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2011-01-12T20:05:12+00:00

I had same problem.

And I have an solution for you... The problem is that when you plug in your HD first time, Windows 7 install your HD and associate it to only this USB port (let it be USB port "4") than if you wanna to use it (HD) again, you need to plug it, in the same USB port (USB port "4") where it was installed first time. It is Stupid!!!! But that's how it worked with my HD.

Just try all USB ports that you have on your PC.

Good luck.

Hope it was helpful. :D

PS: the same problem is with all divices you plug in to your pc.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-14T17:24:42+00:00

    Hi ,

    I faced this issue and tried a lot.......Find out one solution.......I hope it ll work for you.....Do give me a reply if it works.

    Just follow the followoing steps :

    1. Go to start button on windows.
    2. Type "cmd" and right click on "cmd" and click "Run as Administrator"
    3. C:\Windows\system32>
    4. Now type :     chkdsk <Your hard disk letter>: /f

    For e.g If my hard disk is named "f" then just type ----------   chkdsk f: /f

    Try it out...I guess it will work.

    Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-27T19:45:05+00:00

    We need more information in order to help you.

    Try plugging the external HDD into another computer to see if it gives the same error message - it would be good to know if it's isolated to this one computer (then we can rule out problems with the external drive).

    Attach and power up the external HDD and then go to Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Computer Management / Disk Management and then go to the external HDD and tell us EXACTLY what it says when you hover your mouse over it (Healthy, Primary Partition,...).  Also, in the upper portion, tell us what it says about the external HDD in the File System column (or tell us if it says nothing).

    Thanks and we await your reply.

    Good luck!

    Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-06-08T21:38:48+00:00

    The error message says "You need to format the disk in drive J: before you can use it" I have a removable USB storage drive that i always plugged in to my computer everytime I download movies save disk space on my computer.  Now it want me to format this storage disk.  Also,where it used to label this disk as "Removable Disk", it is not labeled as Local Disk J:. I don't want to format this disk because it will erase all my files and folders on this removable USB storage disk.  Please help me.

    hi, i am also facing the same probs, (you need to format the disk in drive j: before you can use it) and i dont want to format my pen drive because there are several important files and folder which i cant format..plz plz let me know how can i open my drive.

    please help me

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-12-16T20:56:59+00:00

    I have the same problem.  If followed the steps above and mine says L: healthy primary partition

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