Can't open my external hard disk, it's saying to Format it.

Hi,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Community.

Based on the information, you are unable to open the external hard disk, as it wants to format it.

It would be helpful if you could reply to these questions to assist you further.

1. What is the exact error message that you get?
2. What is the File System of the External Hard Drive?
3. Are you using the external hard drive for the first time on Windows 7 computer?
4. Are you able to use other external drives without any issues?
5. What happens when you connect the external devices to a different computer?
6. Have you made any recent software or hardware changes on the system?

This issue may occur if the File system used in External hard drive is not supported In Windows 7.

Let’s try the following steps and check if it helps.

Step 1:

To check the Files System of External Hard Drive, follow the steps as below:

a. Click Start, click Computer.

b. Right click on the External Hard Drive and select properties.

Step 2:

Plug in the External Hard Drive in a different USB port and check if it is detected normally.

Step 3:

Copy/Backup all the files from External Hard Drive to another computer. Connect the External Hard Drive on Windows 7 computer and format it using NTFS File System. After that copy the data from to the External Hard Drive and check if it can be opened on Windows 7 computer normally.

a. Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management.

If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

b. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.

c. Right-click the volume that you want to format, and then click Format.

d. To format the volume with the default settings, in the Format dialog box, click OK, and then click OK again.

Note: Converting a hard disk partition or volume from NTFS to FAT32 requires that you reformat the partition, which deletes any data on it. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep before you begin.

For further information, refer the articles:

Create and format a hard disk partition (Applicable for External Hard Drive as well)

Formatting disks and drives: frequently asked questions

Convert a hard disk or partition to NTFS format

Hope the information helps to fix the issue.

If you need further assistance, please reply and we will be happy to help you.

1. What is the exact error message that you get?

“You need to format the disk in drive K: before you can use it. Do you want to format it?”

2. What is the File System of the External Hard Drive?

File system is empty. Nothing there. The disk shows it is fully used when it is less than half used. I cant check error also. Takes a very long time to load the properties page. And there is no reading of storage place in Computer. Used space 0 byt, Free space 0 byt, Capacity 0 byt.

3. Are you using the external hard drive for the first time on Windows 7 computer?

No. I have used it many times before and it was working perfectly OK. Only done one formatting due to virus. But after that all was normal. I haven’t done any formatting or fragmentation, etc n stop it abruptly. I stopped using it for a moment because I had to send in my com for service. After I got back my com I cant open the hard disk. I have tried pluggin the port to other USB holes but it’s still the same. It remains as Local Disk K. (Shouldn’t it be named by other alphabets since it is plugged in different ports?) By the way my hard disk is a 1TB Toshiba. I can hear some sounds coming from it sometimes n it vibrates a bit sometimes.

4. Are you able to use other external drives without any issues?

I have another HP hard disk that I plugged in n its working perfectly.

5. What happens when you connect the external devices to a different computer?

I have another com with windows XP n I tried to plug in all the USB port. None of it detected the hard disk.

6. Have you made any recent software or hardware changes on the system?

No. Don’t know how to…

I had same problem I fixed it without losing data email me ******@o2.co.uk I will give u solution but I need more info. And the data is safe after being fixed guaranteed.

Hey Please help me with this issue. It is showing every time " Format disk " when I connect hard drive.

It was working till last night.

Thanks

Hello,

Let me take another approach than what was originally proposed. I'm going to suggest that you download, install, and run the following application:  EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition. Its a freeware application you download from here: http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Partition-Master-Free-Edition/3000-2248_4-10863346.html?tag=mncol;1 .

When you run this application for the first time, it should detect your drive and allow you to format it. Once its been formatted, Windows will recognize it.

Let me know how you fare.

Regards,

BearPup