Hi there,
So a Windows 10 update that was forced on me just destroyed both my laptop and my external hard drive that had all of my data on it and I can't even put the data anywhere because my laptop is very old & doesn't have any space on it with Win 10 taking it all up.
Someone gave me the link to this software, but every time I plug the external in, it wants to reformat.
1. Do you think reformatting will save the drive? I do have a backup, but not all of the files sigh
2. The software can't run because the drive won't show up, right?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
External Hard Drive tells me to reformat
Forum rules
When asking for technical support:
- Search for posts on the same topic before posting a new question.
- Give clear, specific information in the title of your post.
- Include as many details as you can, MOST POSTS WILL GET ONLY ONE OR TWO ANSWERS.
- Post a follow up with a "Thank you" or "This worked!"
- When you learn something, use that knowledge to HELP ANOTHER USER LATER.
Before posting, please read https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf
When asking for technical support:
- Search for posts on the same topic before posting a new question.
- Give clear, specific information in the title of your post.
- Include as many details as you can, MOST POSTS WILL GET ONLY ONE OR TWO ANSWERS.
- Post a follow up with a "Thank you" or "This worked!"
- When you learn something, use that knowledge to HELP ANOTHER USER LATER.
Before posting, please read https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf
-
recuperation
- Posts: 3026
- Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
- Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)
Re: External Hard Drive tells me to reformat
Which software?OurFreeSociety wrote: 11 Jun 2025, 23:56 Hi there,
So a Windows 10 update that was forced on me just destroyed both my laptop and my external hard drive that had all of my data on it and I can't even put the data anywhere because my laptop is very old & doesn't have any space on it with Win 10 taking it all up.
Someone gave me the link to this software,
Never.but every time I plug the external in, it wants to reformat.
1. Do you think reformatting will save the drive?
Simply incomprehensible. Contraction to "it wants to reformat". Unfortunately your case description "The software can't run" does not meet any requirement for a understable case description.I do have a backup, but not all of the files sigh
2. The software can't run because the drive won't show up, right?
-
OurFreeSociety
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 11 Jun 2025, 23:49
Re: External Hard Drive tells me to reformat
I didn't understand much of what you said. In fact, you sounded angry for some reason.
I'll find something else.
I'll find something else.
-
recuperation
- Posts: 3026
- Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
- Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)
Re: External Hard Drive tells me to reformat
You should compare your posting to other threads in this forum and maybe you discover why I am angry.OurFreeSociety wrote: 13 Jun 2025, 01:33 I didn't understand much of what you said. In fact, you sounded angry for some reason.
You are supposed to be specific. You should write in a manner that excludes any possibility that one has to interpret your posting.
You should avoid any pronouns.
What has the second part of your sentence to do with the first part? Why "but"? This is confusing.OurFreeSociety wrote: 11 Jun 2025, 23:56 Hi there,
So a Windows 10 update that was forced on me just destroyed both my laptop and my external hard drive that had all of my data on it and I can't even put the data anywhere because my laptop is very old & doesn't have any space on it with Win 10 taking it all up.
Someone gave me the link to this software, but every time I plug the external in, it wants to reformat.
I answered this question already.
1. Do you think reformatting will save the drive? I do have a backup, but not all of the files sigh
"The software can't run" is pretty much the worst description you can deliver.
2. The software can't run because the drive won't show up, right?
From where did you download this strange "software"? Which file did you exactly download?
When you are talking about "software" do you mean "TestDisk"?
TestDisk is a package that contains three programs, TestDisk, PhotoRec and fidentify.
Which one did you start and how?
Did you open up the downloaded zip file and clicked directly on the testdisk_win.exe?
You are supposed to unpack the zip file.
What happened then?
Does nothing happen when double clicking on the file testdisk_win.exe or does a window opens and closes immediately?
Does the window opens and hangs?
Did you look into the enclosed manual?
Did you run the "software" with admin rights?
You said:
Obviously to answer this question you could have started TestDisk without your dubious disk attached to learn if your external disk affects the behaviour of TestDisk or even your Windows laptop.The software can't run because the drive won't show up, right?
The sentence containing "the drive won't show up" is unclear. Are you talking about Windows Explorer? Or are you refering to Windows Disk management?
If your disk is missing in Windows Disk management when being attached, you have a serious problem.
My remark
is wrong, sorry.Contraction to "it wants to reformat".
It should have been instead:
Contradiction to "it wants to reformat."
If your external disk wants to "reformat", it has obviously been recognized by Windows. So it must have shown up in Windows Disk management.
By the way, there is not only the manual labeled "testdisk.pdf" in your downloaded zip file, the web site
www.cgsecurity.org/
contains lots of information.