Problem accessing my HDD from another PC

Goi

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,770
7
91
Hi,

i just built a new Windows 10 PC, and I'm trying to copy files over from my old 2TB HDD on another Windows 10 PC. When I plugged the old HDD into the new PC via a USB-SATA adapter, it didn't show up on Explorer, so I ran Disk Management, only to see it being listed as "Dynamic" and "Invalid". After googling a bit, I found a link saying to convert it to "Basic" instead, and that no data would be lost. So, I did it, only to find that it is now listed in Disk Management as "Unallocated". What just happened, and how can I recover my files?
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
16,068
7,383
146
I wonder if that 2TB hard drive had enough power to properly work with a USB-SATA adapter. I actually just used that adapter tonight to do what you did on my son's PC, but the drive the data was on was a SSD which can be powered by that adapter. I was able to immediately access all the files and folders on it.

I could be wrong, but if the disc is now showing "unallocated", that means any partitions or data is now gone, and you have to create a new volume for Windows to be able to see it again. Since this part I'm not 100% sure about, be sure to wait for someone else who knows this aspect better than I do. This part is only a guess based on my experience.
 

Goi

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,770
7
91
The adapter has a separate power adapter, and I used it successfully on another 1TB 3.5" HDD, so it should be good.

Yup, I realize the partitions are now gone, but the data is probably still there since I didn't perform any wipe. I'm looking for any solutions that allow me to do either of the following:
1. Rollback the disk management operations I performed
2. Recover the partition information in order for Windows to access the disk
3. Recover the files from the physical disk.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
16,068
7,383
146
The adapter has a separate power adapter, and I used it successfully on another 1TB 3.5" HDD, so it should be good.

Yup, I realize the partitions are now gone, but the data is probably still there since I didn't perform any wipe. I'm looking for any solutions that allow me to do either of the following:
1. Rollback the disk management operations I performed
2. Recover the partition information in order for Windows to access the disk
3. Recover the files from the physical disk.

That portion would be the HDD wizards that hopefully will come along and give you good news on how to get your stuff back. That part is out of area of experience :)

My USB-SATA doesn't have an external power source, so since yours did, that shouldn't be the issue.
 

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
475
126
ya for me what i had to do was make new partitino and run a disk restore app that brought back maybe 30% of usable data from the drive. have had real bad luck with 3tb and 5tb red drives. hope the 8x8tb reds are better for me. (one white label)
 

Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 13, 2008
8,133
3,071
146
Check the disk SMART health, and if no issues, you can use a software data recovery program to recover the files. If the disk itself has issues, such as bad sectors, I would recommend taking it to the pros if the data is important.