"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
    2011-01-30T16:36:12+00:00

    Sorry - dont know what settings were changed !!

    Plug in any USB now get Autoplay menu - OK

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-01-30T12:35:34+00:00

    What are the settings changing you made in win 7 to tackle this problem ?

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-01-24T15:31:54+00:00

    Please help...I am facing the same problem. I have a 500GB Seagate External HardDisk "FreeAgent Go" which connects to the laptop using USB. Whenever I plug it in, the device label is shown as Local Drive and an error turns up saying "You need to format this disk before you can use it". In the Disk Management i found that the file system of the drive has changed to RAW, where as it was supposed to be in NTFS. 

    I have a many college pictures and some documents which I do not want to loose if formatted. 

    I have tried connecting to other computers, systems with other OSes (I have Windows Vista Home Premium SP1) and also on all the 3 USB ports i have on my laptop, but all in vain. Please help

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-01-18T14:29:13+00:00

    Thanks for tip - guess I SHOULD have read above

    BUT the problem seems to have gone - after changing some [?] Win7 settings

    now plug any flash drive in any USB - dont get format message

    another Win7 mystery I think

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