External HD.

[mhic]

I have a Western 2TB external HD I used it just once some time ago to copy an internal hd using Acronis
now I want to have a look at what's on it but I can't open it. It's not showing in Windows explorer though it is in device manager, is there anyway I can get it to open other than through explorer?
Mhic.

[alpineSi]

Hi,

You could try right clicking My Computer on your desktop, then Disk Management. There's an option to assign it a drive letter, which might work. Anything over G is normally a safe bet unless you've loads of drives.

Don't click "initialize", "format" or "partition", you'll wipe it!

Hope that helps.

[Enrique]

Hi mhic,
When you type Disk management in search programs and file box
it will show up as "Create and format hard disk partitions"
You should see the disk if it is not showing up as NTFS ie there are lines across the box or blank its not Formatted for Windows.
Try unplugging the USB connection and use another USB port. you should get a ping noise as you plug it in and it will probable load some drivers (showing box right hand bottom side of screen)

[mhic]

Found it as unallocated in disk management but no options to do anything. The box has diaganol stripes , the only options I have are new volumes etc.

[Enrique]

Hi mhic,
If there is no writing over the diagonal stripes then its not Formatted.

If it has the size and Healthy (Primary Partition) written then its a non Windows formatted disk.

So if you want to use it, Format and give it a drive letter.

[mhic]

How do I format it if it's not showing up in Win explorer? Happy to do that as I'm sure the stuff on it must be in old back up's

[Enrique]

In Disk Management right click on the PARTITION should give you the option to Format.

[Chunky Monky]

Plug your Ext HDD into your computer.
Open Acronis True Image, locate the backup concerned, on the right-hand side of the screen is a small round gear wheel icon. Click that and go to Open Location, then right-click and Open, I had to do this a couple of times and got to the C:/ icon. I went into there and under Users I was able to root around and find backed up data. I am able to open photos and word documents etc.

I am now on W10 but was able to open a backup performed under W7 no problem.

[Flexo]

Do what chunky said, do not format it using the disk manager if you want to recover any data. A last resort might be to use one of those "unwipe/ disk recovery" software you can find on the internet for free. I have had good results with several of them.

[mhic]

Enrique. When I right click all I get is a list starting with New simple volume followed by 4 other different volumes nothing else . Going to try the other suggestions, Acronis and the disk recovery programs see if they work though I have doubts. Wondering if the thing is corrupted now.
Mhic.

[El Cid]

Acronis Disk Director has got me out of trouble a couple of times. Worth a try.

Free trial here http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/disk-manager/

Sid

[mhic]

Thanks Cid, tried that and gave the disk a number and tried to find files but got the message that it wouldn't work on the current operating system. Thought I had it for a moment.
Mhic.

[Enrique]

Hi mhic,
As you said in previous post that Formatting is an option, ie you're not interested in what's on it.
In Disk management , new simple volume and follow that through.

[mhic]

Re formatted and it's opening files I copied to it now to go through my old backups and copy what I want to save, think a cuppa first though. Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.
Mhic.