Initialize Disk
What does it mean when it says "You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it."
Can I pull the information off the hard drive? If so, what recovery software is best to use?
Can I pull the information off the hard drive? If so, what recovery software is best to use?
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More info on initialization written by me for another asker:
Each HDD must have its own unique signature that is different from zero. Initialization does not format HDD. Neither low level nor volume level. It simply writes 4 bytes signature into MBR. That's all.
This unique signature is used by Microsoft for mounting partitions on HDD.
When you look in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
Each HDD must have its own unique signature that is different from zero. Initialization does not format HDD. Neither low level nor volume level. It simply writes 4 bytes signature into MBR. That's all.
This unique signature is used by Microsoft for mounting partitions on HDD.
When you look in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
ASKER
Specs of the hard drive....
- WD Caviar 3200
- Enhanced IDE Hard Drive
- Manufacture on Feb 15, 2006
- Model is WD32000BB
The hard drive it self came from one of my friend's Gateway computer. I went over to her house and looked at the computer this morning. Once I open the tower, I notice the hard drive was starting up and then shutting down within 5 - 10 seconds... then it would repeat the same process again.
So, I brought the hard drive home and plugged it into my hard drive adapter that I have and now the hard drive is staying on, but I can't gain access to the data. I have gone into my Disk Management and that's where it says that I need to initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it.
- WD Caviar 3200
- Enhanced IDE Hard Drive
- Manufacture on Feb 15, 2006
- Model is WD32000BB
The hard drive it self came from one of my friend's Gateway computer. I went over to her house and looked at the computer this morning. Once I open the tower, I notice the hard drive was starting up and then shutting down within 5 - 10 seconds... then it would repeat the same process again.
So, I brought the hard drive home and plugged it into my hard drive adapter that I have and now the hard drive is staying on, but I can't gain access to the data. I have gone into my Disk Management and that's where it says that I need to initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it.
Yeah,I believe the init is different and would cause no damage if done.
I see so many of these issues on these threads,I forgot that init is harless.
As long as it didn't come up as raw or unformatted ,you should be fine.
I see so many of these issues on these threads,I forgot that init is harless.
As long as it didn't come up as raw or unformatted ,you should be fine.
ASKER
Your not going to believe this...
I attempt to initialize the drive and it its now popping up an error message saying "The device is not ready."
I attempt to initialize the drive and it its now popping up an error message saying "The device is not ready."
Sounds like a hardware issue.
You said your friends disk was spinning up and down which is indicative of a HW issue.
Disks and storage are cheap these days because of the mass production means,but the QA is so so.
Cheaper to replace than fix,so depending upon how valuable the data,you might need to send it out for repairs.
You said your friends disk was spinning up and down which is indicative of a HW issue.
Disks and storage are cheap these days because of the mass production means,but the QA is so so.
Cheaper to replace than fix,so depending upon how valuable the data,you might need to send it out for repairs.
ASKER
I suggested replacing the hard drive to my friendly already... I just need to get the data some how.
If it won't spin up or be seen by the system,there are a couple of steps that you can try .
Get a copy of a Knoppix boot CD and see if the Linux boot kernel can see the drive to allow you to copy the data off.
For money,you can get a hold of Spinrite,it actually may be able to recover the data off a broken drive.
You can download the WD tools and run it off of a floppy to see if it can repair the issue.
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=502&lang=en
Get a copy of a Knoppix boot CD and see if the Linux boot kernel can see the drive to allow you to copy the data off.
For money,you can get a hold of Spinrite,it actually may be able to recover the data off a broken drive.
You can download the WD tools and run it off of a floppy to see if it can repair the issue.
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=502&lang=en
ASKER
The hard drive is spinning... don't know why it was turning on and off earlier, but its staying on now.
The problem now is that I cant initialize the drive without it popping up "The device is not ready."
The problem now is that I cant initialize the drive without it popping up "The device is not ready."
Sounds like an I/O problem on the circuit board.
Try the DOS WD diags to see if an OS can see the drive.
Try the DOS WD diags to see if an OS can see the drive.
ASKER
I did what you said, here is the results...
No Western Digital Drives Found...
DLGDIAG 5.04f - Data Lifeguard Dianestics
Non-WD Drive
Error / Status Code: 0201
No Western Digital Drives Found...
DLGDIAG 5.04f - Data Lifeguard Dianestics
Non-WD Drive
Error / Status Code: 0201
The drive is bad. If your friend needs data from it let her address recovery service such as www.gillware.com
Otherwise simply replace it.
Otherwise simply replace it.
Try the old diag on the same WD page I gave you.
ASKER