WD Passport drive - File type changed to RAW

chouglez

chouglez

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Got a WD Passport drive and for some reason the filetype on this external drive has been changed to RAW from NTFS. Now it forces me to format the drive prior to using it. There is a terabyte of data on the drive :gag:

Any ideas how can I get the data back or change the filetype to NTFS?
 
was it used on another system at all? did anything happen prior to it stopped working?

normally thats a boot sector problem, first thing i would do is run a chkdsk on it:

from a command prompt type:

chkdsk X: /r

(where X is the drive letter at fault)
 
For file type I assume you mean file system. Hard to imagine something happening to change that. I wonder if it is not connected properly. Windows tells me to format an xD memory card sometimes when I connect it but I know it is just a bad connection and removing and refitting it will usually make it work.

The passport drive I'm guessing is USB powered so maybe try a different (preferably shorter) lead that will have less voltage drop and also try another USB socket or a powered hub so you know it is getting the supply it needs.

If it really is corrupted then data recovery software might be the way to go.
 
RobertP said:
For file type I assume you mean file system. Hard to imagine something happening to change that. I wonder if it is not connected properly. Windows tells me to format an xD memory card sometimes when I connect it but I know it is just a bad connection and removing and refitting it will usually make it work.

The passport drive I'm guessing is USB powered so maybe try a different (preferably shorter) lead that will have less voltage drop and also try another USB socket or a powered hub so you know it is getting the supply it needs.

If it really is corrupted then data recovery software might be the way to go.
Click to expand...

At first I thought that but file type is right too.

Looks like things might get complicated:eek:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/263779-14-change-file-type-ntfs
 
neil_g said:
was it used on another system at all? did anything happen prior to it stopped working?

normally thats a boot sector problem, first thing i would do is run a chkdsk on it:

from a command prompt type:

chkdsk X: /r

(where X is the drive letter at fault)
Click to expand...

Thanks a terrabyte neil_g :D

The chkdsk worked liked a charm. Took a long time to check all the sectors but eventually fixed the filetype to NTFS and I am able to access the files.

#Rant: Went into a Currys/PC World store but no technician was available hence was told to dial a 6.2p per min 0844 premium number to PC World KnowHow and after 2 Lonnngggissshhhh calls, the useless online support technicians could not provide any solutions.
 
neil_g said:
Hooray, we like the nice easy fixes :) glad it worked.

Safe side, back up the data on the drive in case it's starting to fail.
Click to expand...

Thanks again mate. Yes, Will back it up over the weekend.
 
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