I've encountered a major issue with my internal HDD (E: drive) on my Windows 10 desktop. It was working fine until I hit a snag while saving a Photoshop file last week. After updating the Disk Driver as recommended, I was able to access my files without any issues. However, shortly after that, I received a notification indicating that the update wasn't fully completed and required a restart. After restarting, I saw a lengthy fixing process on my E: drive, which took hours, but I wasn't able to confirm if it completed.
When I logged back in, I tried to open the E: drive, but it wasn't showing any storage details. I got a message saying it wasn't accessible due to incorrect parameters. I attempted to use Command Prompt's chkdsk command, but it reported unreadable file segments and an unspecified error. Restarting the computer brought up the same fixing screen again.
Now, I can't access the E: drive at all. Windows prompts me to format it, which I know will erase my files, so I refuse. Disk Management shows it as Healthy but with 100% free space. I'm worried about losing important files and am considering professional data recovery, but is there anything I can do myself to retrieve them? Is the issue related to the Disk Driver update?
3 Answers
If you're planning to recovery data by yourself, ensure you have another storage device ready that has enough space to hold all your files. However, be cautious—doing too much could lead to further data loss. If the situation is dire, I’d recommend just sending it to a professional instead.
Regardless of whether you use Linux or another OS to recover your data, it might not be necessary in your case since your drive is still readable over SATA. If you choose to attempt recovery yourself, make sure you know what you're doing to avoid damaging the drive further. Also, keep an eye on how to stop those automatic repairs when you power off your computer.
First off, try downloading CrystalDiskInfo to check the health status of your drive. If it shows "Caution" or "Bad", then your drive likely has some serious issues. Avoid running chkdsk repeatedly as it can worsen the problem. Based on CrystalDiskInfo's results, you can gauge the next steps you'll need to consider.
Related Questions
Can't Load PhpMyadmin On After Server Update
Redirect www to non-www in Apache Conf
How To Check If Your SSL Cert Is SHA 1
Windows TrackPad Gestures