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bad mbr on usb 2.0 hard drive

I have a problem with my usb extrenal drive;

After a recent formatl I re installed my 250 gig WD external HD; windows device manager sees it there, but I cannot access the files through explorer or any other way..I think I mayhave messed up the MBR..
There is critical data on that drive, and I need to recover it..How can I do this?

thanks so much!

nobus

why would your mbr be bad?

nobus

SOLUTION

b_vishwajit

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wase4711

ASKER

Well, what happened was that somehow, while formatting the pc, the attached usb hard drives had their MBR's corrupted; now, even though windows deveice manager shows they exist, I cannot access any files on them, either in explorer or any other way...I need the files very badly, so somehow, I have to repair the MBR's without formatting or deleteing any files off these external, USB drives...

Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated!

thanks again

wase4711

SOLUTION

ChipM0nk JG

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wase4711

ASKER

Well, I got the data back, thanks to the tools above..Now, I need to make the USB drives useable again, which will mean formatting them...
There MUST be a way to do it, without removing the drives from the cases and installing them in a "regular" pc...They show up in Device Manager, but NOT in Explorer or My Computer..

Any ideas ??
thanks so much!

wase4711

nobus

and if you hook the usb drive up on another pc (or laptop)? can you format it then?

nobus

wase4711

ASKER

No, I cannot see it on another pc...either the MBR is messed up,. or something...
I was able to recover the data,.but any pc I plug it into will show it in the Device Manager, but NOT in Windows Explorer or MY Computer...

I just want to some how format it to its clean, NTFS state, then I can use it again..But its impossible to format it unless you can "see it" in Explorer or My Computer..

thanks!

wase4711

nobus

can you try the tools at Western digital

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_cat_lvl1=123

and :

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1085

this should get you going

nobus

nobus

sorryn 2nd link is wrong, use this one :

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1086

nobus

wase4711

ASKER

can I use these tools on an EXTERNAL USB hard drive? It looks like this is for a installed local hard drive...

thanks!

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nobus

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wase4711

ASKER

Nope, wont do it, since I cannot "see" the drive in My Computer....

wase4711

nobus

or even this :

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1018

nobus

nobus

then you should contact wdc support at :

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1048&p_created=1060098616

nobus

wase4711

ASKER

i thought the last option might work, but the wizard did not come up when I tried to write a signature..I guess I will have to contac WD to see if they have an answer..
thanks for your help !

wase4711

wase4711

ASKER

i think one of the options you suggested worked!
It appears the drive is now formatting, and if it goes to 100% I will post it here!

thanks again for all your ideas!

wase4711

nobus

let me know what did the trick plse; always good to know

....and glad to be able to help you out (from Europe)

nobus

wase4711

ASKER

well, going through the my computer/manage window, I was able to click on the drive, then "make it active"..at thAT point, I restarted, went back tot he same window, went through the wizard that makes a partition..then formatted, rebooted, and was back in business!
thanks again from over here in chicago, USA!!

best wishes,

wase4711