The Disk You Inserted Not Readable By This Computer. What?

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The Disk You Inserted Not Readable By This Computer. What?

I've been using an external hard drive (usb) for a few months. As I was dropping footage to back up on the drive I've received an error that the disk is not readable. I have important files on there that has not been backed up to a second source, do how do I get my computer to recognize the hard drive without formatting! I also can see it on my Disk Utility but it won't allow me to repair the drive until I format it. What are my options?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Dec 1, 2015 9:01 AM

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Answer 1

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rkaufmann87

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Dec 1, 2015 9:33 AM in response to jlandry21

Try resetting the SMC and PRAM with the EHD disconnected, then re-connect and test. If you have been using another drive as your Time Machine backup, then the EHD has probably also been backing up to it. If it has not and the HD has failed, then you can attempt data recovery software such as DiskWarrior or DataRescue and if those fail you can contact a data recovery service. Going forward, ALWAYS ensure you have redundant backup of all of your data.

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Answer 2

jlandry21 Author

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Dec 1, 2015 9:34 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Can you please explain SMC and PRAM? I will look into DiskWarrior/Data Rescue.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

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Dec 1, 2015 9:51 AM in response to jlandry21

jlandry21 wrote:

Can you please explain SMC and PRAM? I will look into DiskWarrior/Data Rescue.

Whoops, sorry I intended to give you this link: iMac SMC and PRAM reset

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Answer 4

jlandry21 Author

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Dec 1, 2015 3:30 PM in response to rkaufmann87

This didn't work for me unfortunately.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

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Dec 1, 2015 3:35 PM in response to jlandry21

Based on the report you posted initially it appears the EHD has failed and needs to be replaced. To recover data, please refer to my 9:33 AM message that has instructions on how to recover data from either Time Machine or using a third party data recovery app or data recovery service.

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Answer 6

jlandry21 Author

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Dec 1, 2015 4:21 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Well I've used this drive as a work drive, so TimeMachine wasn't linked this drive I was trying to fix. If only I had money to purchase the software! I only have SanDisk file recovery and CardRescue. Looks like I have to go forward with formatting the drive.

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