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Initializing in Win7 "Disk not ready"

Posted: 28 May 2012, 18:00
by logicology
I'm trying to initialize a disk in Windows 7 so I can recover some important files, but I'm getting the "Disk not ready" error.

- The drive is showing up in my Device Manager. (But can't populate volumes)
- It's showing up in the Disk Manager. (But can't initialize it)

Is there anyway around that?

Re: Initializing in Win7 "Disk not ready"

Posted: 29 May 2012, 09:28
by Fiona
Often it indicates read errors, so that OS, TestDisk and other software might hang reading it.
Would it be possible to diagnose your disk using crystaldiskinfo?
http://crystalmark.info/software/index-e.html
Did you check the size of your disk in your disk management console?
Also check cables and background processes like antivirus, Norton Go Back, Norton Sonar and some other processes which can prevent windows to write to your MBR.
You can use msconfig to disable processes from start and services also.
Under services you should hide microsoft processes checking the checkbox, otherwise windows can get into trouble to start/boot.

Fiona

Re: Initializing in Win7 "Disk not ready"

Posted: 29 May 2012, 13:06
by logicology
Thank you for the quick reply, Fiona.

Crystalmark does not recognize the disk. I currently have no software running (like anti-virus) that would prevent writing to the MBR. I also can not verify the disk size in the disk manager.

See the attached screenshot.

Re: Initializing in Win7 "Disk not ready"

Posted: 29 May 2012, 15:31
by Fiona
In your disk management console, it's only described as a unknown device.
How is your disk displayed in your device manager?
And your BIOS also.
Looks like that it's not recognized anymore and indicates problems about the firmware.
But you should diagnose it.
Does your disk still displays the manufacturer and correct model?
To access any data, your disk must be recognized.

Fiona

Re: Initializing in Win7 "Disk not ready"

Posted: 29 May 2012, 21:17
by logicology
Thanks Fiona,

This is a SAS drive. My SAS controller BIOS correctly identifies the make and model of the drive. I can not get Windows to recognize anything about the drive, other than something is plugged in.

If the BIOS can identify it but Windows can not, does that still indicate a problem with the firmware?