Hi everyone,
I have a 1TB external hard drive (WD My Passport) that has suddenly become inaccessible. Whenever I try to open it, Windows gives me a message saying the drive is unreadable. I have a lot of important data on this drive that I need to recover.
I’ve tried plugging it into different computers and using different USB cables, but I keep getting the same error. I’ve also checked Disk Management, and the drive appears there but with no file system listed (it just says “RAW”).
Can anyone recommend reliable methods or tools to recover data from a external hard drive without losing any files?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Edit - Thanks everyone,
I have successfully recovered the data using Stellar Data Recovery.
There are several reliable data recovery tools available that can help recover data from RAW drives. Here are a few options:
a. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:
This tool is user-friendly and supports recovery from RAW drives. You can download it and follow the on-screen instructions to scan and recover your files.
b. Recuva:
Developed by Piriform, Recuva is another excellent tool for recovering files from RAW drives. It offers both a free and a paid version.
c. Disk Drill:
Disk Drill supports data recovery from RAW drives and offers a simple interface with powerful recovery options.
4. Professional Data Recovery Services:
If the above methods don’t work, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. Given your business, you might already have the necessary tools and expertise, but professional services can handle complex cases where software recovery isn’t enough.
Don’t Do DIY if your data is important.
I guess what you really want to ask is how to recover data from an external hard drive without formatting it.
Different from standard file systems like NTFS and FAT, the RAW file system can’t be recognized or read by Windows. Therefore, you can’t access the RAW drives for storing or viewing files. In such a case , you can try using the CHKDSK command or reformat the disk.
Before seeking help from data recovery services, I suggest trying free data recovery tools first. You don’t need to incur any costs before your data is recovered. But if your hard drive is no longer recognized by the computer or has suffered physical damage, contact a professional data recovery service ASAP.
Here are common data loss situations that occur on an external hard drive; most of the data loss scenarios here are recoverable.
Human Factors: Accidental file deletion or formatting can be the most common data loss scenario that occurs on an external hard drive. You can restore deleted files on an external hard drive using third-party data recovery tools.
Recovery Difficulty: 3 Solutions: #1. data recovery tools #2. CMD #3. data recovery services
Logical Failure: If you find some files on the external disks are not accessible or not showing up, you may encounter logical errors, which may be caused by critical file system structure loss or corruption, some data being damaged during data transformation, unexpected system shutdown, application failure, etc.
Recovery Difficulty: Solutions: #1. data recovery tools #2. data recovery services
Wrongly Formatted: Sometimes, a wrongly formatted external hard disk or a loose connection may cause your external hard disk to not be detected, which could indicate that your motherboard and external hard drive are incompatible.
Recovery Difficulty: Solutions: #1. data recovery tools #2. data recovery services
Malware or Viruses Infection: When you find some files are suddenly missing or the computer is sending you an alert of a virus attack, you should be aware of it. Some viruses may delete or damage data on the external hard drive. You need to clean the viruses with software and recover lost data.
Recovery Difficulty: Solutions: #1. data recovery tools #2. data recovery services
Physical Damage: When your external drive has suffered severe physical damage, you can usually tell from the outside - common things include clicking noises and an indicator that doesn’t light up. They happen when an external hard disk can’t move the write head or rear back to its original position. You may not be able to fix this kind of issue by yourself; find a local hard drive repair lab for help.
Difficulty: Solution: find a local hard drive repair lab for help
One of the most effective ways to recover files from a RAW drive is to use specialized data recovery software. Programs like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or MiniTool Power Data Recovery can often help recover files from drives that show up as RAW. These tools are designed to scan and retrieve files without damaging or overwriting existing data. If these don’t work, you can also try R-Studio or DiskInternals, which are more advanced and are commonly used for complex recovery tasks. If the software doesn’t work and the drive is still showing as RAW, you can refer to the guide on repairing DAT files for general recovery methods https://news.mаcgasm.net/tips/repair-dat-file/ that may help you. Sometimes, RAW recovery tools can repair the file system, making the drive accessible again so that you can copy your files off before attempting more drastic measures. In the worst-case scenario, if software solutions don’t work, professional data recovery services are your best bet, as they can attempt to retrieve your files from a physically damaged drive.
As this thread is still active, I just want to add a crucial tip: never scan a corrupted drive directly without first creating a disk image. That way, you’ll reduce the risk of permanent data loss. Reliable software like Disk Drill can create and scan an image of your drive instead of the physical disk. Here’s an article that shows how you can create a disk backup. This approach keeps your original drive untouched while you attempt recovery.
Hi Sherly,
Its better to approach any Professional Data Recovery Expert to recover the data if the data is crucial. And if you want to give a try using any tool. Then Recuva is one of the Free tools available.
Please have a look at Free Data Recovery Softwares before making a decision.
If your external hard drive is showing as RAW, you can still recover your data. First, try running CHKDSK by opening Command Prompt and typing chkdsk X: /f (replacing X with your drive letter). If that doesn’t work, you can use Stellar Data Recovery, recuva, diskdrill, to scan the drive and recover your files. If the drive remains inaccessible, try TestDisk, a free tool that can rebuild the partition table. To be safe, consider cloning the drive with Macrium Reflect or ddrescue before making further recovery attempts. If your drive makes clicking sounds or isn’t detected, stop using it immediately and seek professional data recovery services. For a detailed guide, check this blog: How to Recover Data from a RAW Hard Drive.
Human Factors: Accidental file deletion or formatting can be the most common data loss scenario that occurs on an external hard drive. You can restore deleted files on an external hard drive using third-party data recovery tools.
3 Solutions:
Logical Failure: If you find some files on the external disks are not accessible or not showing up, you may encounter logical errors, which may be caused by critical file system structure loss or corruption, some data being damaged during data transformation, unexpected system shutdown, application failure, etc.
Wrongly Formatted: Sometimes, a wrongly formatted external hard disk or a loose connection may cause your external hard disk to not be detected, which could indicate that your motherboard and external hard drive are incompatible.
Malware or Viruses Infection: When you find some files are suddenly missing or the computer is sending you an alert of a virus attack, you should be aware of it. Some viruses may delete or damage data on the external hard drive. You need to clean the viruses with software and recover lost data.
Physical Damage: When your external drive has suffered severe physical damage, you can usually tell from the outside - common things include clicking noises and an indicator that doesn’t light up. They happen when an external hard disk can’t move the write head or rear back to its original position. You may not be able to fix this kind of issue by yourself; find a local hard drive repair lab for help.
