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DIGIT-ARC / Hardware / Storage / NAS

Portable Harddrive data failure

16 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/portable-harddrive-data-failure.208300/

Zangetsu
Zangetsu Original post #1
Apr 25, 2020 at 4:04 PM
Hi Guys,

My WD Passport is not detectable from yesterday and I am worried about the important data I have. :(

Its still under warranty, but I know that WD will only RMA the disk and not recover data.

Please advice.
W
whitestar_999 #2
Apr 25, 2020 at 4:17 PM
Yes WD & seagate both only RMA the disk, recovering data is available only as a separate paid option if available & bought at the time of purchase.

Try with desktop rear usb port or another laptop/system. Restart the system just in case. When was the last time you checked your hdd health using crystaldiskinfo/similar tools(very important)?
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #3
Apr 25, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Crystal Disk info reported 100% health when checked last time.
The last I used the disk was on Sunday. I copied some files and removed it. But yesterday night when I connected again it was not detectable.
Tried all USB ports and different cables. Though the disk LED is glowing and I can hear motor spinning sound.
W
whitestar_999 #4
Apr 25, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Have you checked with a desktop system rear usb ports? How much time you let hdd connected before removing it when it was not getting detected, try for 4-5 min? While hdd is connected restart system & enter bios to see if it is getting detected there.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #5
Apr 25, 2020 at 5:08 PM
WTF!!!! restarted the system and the HDD was detected now :shock: :

Though not detected in BIOS.

Now I'll backup quickly before it fails again

I have attached the Disk Info (taken just now)

Capture.PNG
B
billubakra #6
Apr 25, 2020 at 6:45 PM
Zangetsu said:
WTF!!!! restarted the system and the HDD was detected now :shock: :

Though not detected in BIOS.

Now I'll backup quickly before it fails again

I have attached the Disk Info (taken just now)

View attachment 18995
Click to expand...
Bro happened with me twice. Post the pending sector count attribute and yes backup while you can.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #7
Apr 25, 2020 at 6:50 PM
billubakra said:
Bro happened with me twice. Post the pending sector count attribute and yes backup while you can.
Click to expand...
Only 4 Attributes are visible in the tool. its due to the change in WD firmware.

Is your drive working fine now ?
B
billubakra #8
Apr 25, 2020 at 6:57 PM
Zangetsu said:
Only 4 Attributes are visible in the tool. its due to the change in WD firmware.

Is your drive working fine now ?
Click to expand...
Did you update the firmware? When did you buy this drive? Please try with the latest version of CDI. Also after the backup is complete try data lifeguard tool by WD.
No, replaced.
W
whitestar_999 #9
Apr 25, 2020 at 7:46 PM
Zangetsu said:
Only 4 Attributes are visible in the tool. its due to the change in WD firmware.
Click to expand...

billubakra said:
Did you update the firmware? When did you buy this drive? Please try with the latest version of CDI.
Click to expand...
In earlier 4tb models WD put firmware which hides most SMART parameter but I guess after many complaints they reverted back to usual firmware. I can confirm that 2019 wd 4tb models show all values.
B
billubakra #10
Apr 25, 2020 at 8:28 PM
whitestar_999 said:
In earlier 4tb models WD put firmware which hides most SMART parameter but I guess after many complaints they reverted back to usual firmware. I can confirm that 2019 wd 4tb models show all values.
Click to expand...
One of my drives was an old one and the second one a very recent one and both were showing all attributes.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #11
Apr 25, 2020 at 9:38 PM
I downloaded the WDFirmwareupdater utility (zip). But it says my firmware is already up to date.

What is CDI ?
W
whitestar_999 #12
Apr 26, 2020 at 1:28 AM
billubakra said:
One of my drives was an old one and the second one a very recent one and both were showing all attributes.
Click to expand...
Yes that is expected, this only 4 attributes showing wd drive model series was an exception & probably sold for few months only in 2017/early 2018.

Zangetsu said:
I downloaded the WDFirmwareupdater utility (zip). But it says my firmware is already up to date.

What is CDI ?
Click to expand...
Never update firmware of any hdd/ssd unless absolutely required & before taking a backup of important data. CDI is crystaldiskinfo.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #13
Apr 26, 2020 at 2:31 PM
whitestar_999 said:
Yes that is expected, this only 4 attributes showing wd drive model series was an exception & probably sold for few months only in 2017/early 2018.
Click to expand...
So, I can't get all the SMART values and will have to stick with the 4 attributes forever.
W
whitestar_999 #14
Apr 26, 2020 at 3:13 PM
Zangetsu said:
So, I can't get all the SMART values and will have to stick with the 4 attributes forever.
Click to expand...
Yes unless you learn enough to extract the firmware file from portable hard drive controller & decode it to see the hidden values(quite risky procedure btw) or you manage to get a custom made firmware for your drive model from WD which allow seeing all attributes.
B
billubakra #15
Apr 26, 2020 at 3:25 PM
Zangetsu said:
So, I can't get all the SMART values and will have to stick with the 4 attributes forever.
Click to expand...
Try with the latest version of CDI & WD Lifguard Diagnostics to see if something can be done about it.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #16
Apr 26, 2020 at 4:36 PM
billubakra said:
Try with the latest version of CDI & WD Lifguard Diagnostics to see if something can be done about it.
Click to expand...
I don't think that will help, as I already tried with latest CDI version. But I'll check with WD Lifeguard