I know there are several threads discussing external drops, but they haven't helped me thus far. I dropped a Buffalo 320gb USB external drive while it was operating (Model: HD-PE320U2). I'm on a Macbook running Snow Leopard. I had 3 Mac partitions and a Fat32 partition.
When I reattached the drive it lights up and I can hear and feel the spinning for a moment, but it always goes to the message, "The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer" and offers "initialize, ignore, and eject" buttons.
Initialize brings up disk utility, and shows the drive as a 2.2Tb drive (not 320gb), without any of my partitions or data, and does not allow me to repair or verify the drive.
I have attempted to use the Data Rescue 3 app to recover my data, but it also shows the drive as being 2.2Tb and is unable to scan, read, or recover anything.
The same occurred when using the Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery program.
Can anyone offer any additional help? It would be much appreciated!
Also, I live in a very isolated area on the Thai-Burma border, with no tech repair shops for hours in any direction.
Thanks
Sorry, the drive taking a fall while it was running could have caused a myriad of problems. We can't support the disassembly or recovery of the device on these forums. My apologies :(
I know there are several threads discussing external drops, but they haven't helped me thus far. I dropped a Buffalo 320gb USB external drive while it was operating (Model:HD-PE320U2). I'm on a Macbook, running Snow Leopard.
When I reattached the drive it lights up and I can hear and feel the spinning for a moment, but it always goes to the message, "The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer" and offers "initialize, ignore, and eject" buttons.
Initialize brings up disk utility, and shows the drive as a 2.2Tb drive (not 320gb), without any of my partitions or data, and does not allow me to repair or verify the drive.
I have attempted to use the Data Rescue 3 app to recover my data, but it also shows the drive as being 2.2Tb and is unable to scan, read, or recover anything.
Someone suggested in another forum:
"If the disk size is being consistently misreported then just possibly a jumper has come loose inside? There are often jumper connectors in these casings which you set to tell the system what size of HDD is actually installed.
This would need someone to open the case and have a look at all the connectors."
If that's the case, can the data be retrieved once the jumper is reconnected?
"Provided there's no other damage. In fact, if a loose jumper is the only damage then there's a chance the drive will work normally once it's reconnected.
This could be your first thing to try, assuming you're OK with opening the drive case or finding someone to do it for you.
You'll need to know (from your manual or online) what setting the jumper needs to be set to in order to specify (in your case) a 320GB drive. The same manual will also tell you if there in fact is no jumper at all on that model, in which case then sorry but my suggestion won't apply of course."
Can anyone here provide any insight into this possible jumper issue?
Thank you.
Again, since this is from an alternate forum/thread it is not supported/recommended that the device be dismantled. Even if you did there's no guarantee that can be made that the data will be recoverable/tangible. I'm sorry that this has happened but another user's advice on the internet cannot be taken as a guarantee that the procedure will work.
Then where can I find support for these problems?
We suggest in the event of a dropped device that is not accessing to contact a 3rd party data recovery specialist. Per the US warranty:
"Under no circumstances shall Buffalo Technology be liable in any way to the user for damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use, the Buffalo products. Buffalo Technology reserves the right to revise or update its products, software, or documentation in keeping with technological advances without obligation to notify any individual or entity.
Technical Support and firmware upgrades for Buffalo Technology products are restricted to the country/region of purchase. Please refer to the Buffalo Technical Support Information received with your product purchase."
In the event the device was dropped and damaged to the point that data is inaccessible and a 3rd party solution is not viable I would suggest searching around Google. Most likely however, you will receive the same response from other users on other forums. I apologize but this is in fact a damaged device that most likely will need data recovery specialist expertise.