The disk you inserted is not readable by this computer

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The disk you inserted is not readable by this computer

My external hard drive was working this morning. Its only a few months old (Seagate GoFlex Desk). Now, says "the disk you inserted in not readable by this computer." I saw a thread that has not been solved yet, but it asked the OP to post some info. Here's what I am getting:

/dev/disk0

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *320.1 GB disk0

1: EFI 209.7 MB disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS Macintosh HD 319.2 GB disk0s2

3: Apple_Boot Recovery HD 650.0 MB disk0s3

/dev/disk1

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *2.0 TB disk1

1: EFI 209.7 MB disk1s1

2: Apple_HFS 2.0 TB disk1s2

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011)

Posted on Nov 3, 2012 6:32 AM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Nov 3, 2012 1:20 PM in response to CapM1

Power down and disconnect the ext HD, Zap the PRAM, and Reset the SMC, then connect and power up the ext HD.

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Answer 2

Nov 3, 2012 3:05 PM in response to CapM1

Have you tried runnning repair disk from Disk Utility?

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Answer 3

CapM1 Author

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Nov 4, 2012 6:54 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Thanks for responding guys. Zap, reset, & repair did not work. Repair comes up

Error: Disk Utility can’t repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files.

And these types of messages:

File record has hard link chain flag (id = 734865)

Incorrect number of thread records

Incorrect number of file hard links

(It should be 1 instead of 4)

I have to believe this is software error. I think it happened when I moved a file. I saved a file to the drive, but then realized it was in the wrong place. When I loved it to its proper folder, that's when this happened. Frustrating. I have to believe that the files are there and in good working order, but what do I know.

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Nov 4, 2012 11:33 AM in response to CapM1

Then, try something stronger, such as DiskWarrior or TechToolsPro.

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Answer 5

CapM1 Author

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Nov 6, 2012 2:30 PM in response to baltwo

Which one would you recommend between DiskWarrior or TechToolsPro? Looks like they are both $99. I'm not too psyched about paying $99 if it doesn't work, but I guess I have no choice.

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Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Nov 6, 2012 2:55 PM in response to CapM1

DiskWarrior is the best for fixing directory issues. TTPro does other things.

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Answer 7

CapM1 Author

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Nov 6, 2012 11:58 PM in response to baltwo

DiskWarrior recovered my external hard drive! Great product. All my files are back. Thanks so much!

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Nov 7, 2012 8:48 AM in response to CapM1

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Answer 9

Nov 16, 2012 11:53 AM in response to CapM1

I had this problem and was able to solve it via another forum by following the directions here: http://perrohunter.com/index.php/blog/2011/06/repair-a-mac-os-x-hfs-partition-ta ble

Free and worked great!!

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Answer 10

Pensrud

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Jan 24, 2013 2:51 AM in response to CapM1

Used Disk warrior. Headache gone...heart rate returned to where it should be. Thanks DW 4.3.

Installed, ran, fixed in about a minute or so. STOKED!!!

Using Mountain Lion 10.8.2 on both MBP i7 Retina summer 2012, and Imac 27" i5 mid-2010

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Answer 11

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Jan 24, 2013 11:29 AM in response to Pensrud

You should be using DW 4.4.

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Answer 12

Mar 3, 2013 1:32 AM in response to CapM1

Hi CapM1,

I am having the same problem. My external harddrive is 1Tb (Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex). I don't know what happened but I am getting this error "The disk you inserted is not readable by this computer"

My harddisk is 80% full. From the above messages I see you have recovered all your files with the help of DiskWarrior. I would like to know if you used DiskWarrior 4.3 or 4.4? I have downloaded DiskWarrior 4.3. Do I need to write it on a DVD and then boot my Mac? Can you please tell me how you have fixed? Also How long it took for you to recover all your files. Can you use your external harddisk again?

Thank you,

Phal

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Answer 13

CapM1 Author

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Mar 3, 2013 1:47 AM in response to Phalgun27

4.4 is what I used. I downloaded it so I could use it immediately, so I didn't wait on any DVD's. It took a few hours (actually, I think I started it before I went to bed and woke up the next morning and everything was fixed). Yes, hard drive was returned to perfect working order, and has been ever since!

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Answer 14

Mar 3, 2013 2:09 AM in response to CapM1

Thanks for the quick reply. I have 4.3 version and I have put it in Utilities Folder. When I run it, I don't see the option for my external hard disk. I just see Mac. Do we need to plug our external harddisk while DiskWarrior is working?

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Answer 15

Mar 3, 2013 2:17 AM in response to CapM1

I have plugged my external harddisk but I don't see the option in DiskWarrior. When I plugged in my other external harddisk which is working, I could see it. Were you able to see your external harddisk when you open DiskWarrior?

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