Author Topic: Hard Disk Problem  (Read 4331 times)

SteveB

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Hard Disk Problem
« on: July 23, 2018, 08:37:18 AM »
I know a lot has been written about spinning hard disks but to set the scene I'm setting up a DL32 for a friend. I formatted the hard drive using the DL (as recommended) and now my computer won't recognize the disk as a storage devise - a devise yes but not one I can write too!

It's a windows PC I'm connecting to and not sure if it's because it's a 4TB disk!  I've no problem with my PC seeing my own 1TB disk.

I know not exactly DL32 but related so any thoughts appreciated.

WK154

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2018, 03:51:22 PM »
You'll have to partition your 4TB drive to 2 2TB partitions. since FAT32's limit is 2TB in spite of what Microsoft states (was 2TB under W98). They crippled their disk formatter but still read and write to the original limit. There are lots of free 3rd party formatters to provide this on a PC. Mackie was to cheap to pay for use of exFAT which would have increased both file size and device size significantly.
When in doubt KISS

SteveB

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2018, 08:36:08 AM »
WH154 - Thanks for that I vaguely recall that now! The problem I have is that my Windows PC now won't see the hard disk so I can't reformat it! It sees it as a "devise" but I'm unable to allocate a drive letter. Is this drive now poggered or is there a utility anyone knows about that could possibly help?

pytchley

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2018, 01:28:02 PM »
Try using a Mac.

WK154

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2018, 03:06:18 PM »
WH154 - Thanks for that I vaguely recall that now! The problem I have is that my Windows PC now won't see the hard disk so I can't reformat it! It sees it as a "devise" but I'm unable to allocate a drive letter. Is this drive now poggered or is there a utility anyone knows about that could possibly help?
Most disk manufacturers have a diagnostic tool that also low level formats. This should solve your problem.
When in doubt KISS

WK154

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2018, 10:22:21 PM »
When in doubt KISS

SteveB

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2018, 08:32:05 AM »
Thanks again - I'd found articles from Dr Google saying similar things.  Unfortunately as my drive only shows as a devise I can't give it a drive letter :-(  I'll try WD to see if they have a tool - was not obvious from their website but there was a phone number.   

ToH2002

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2018, 03:11:36 PM »
What does the drive look like in Windows Disk Management? Maybe you can post a screenshot - would make it easier to help you troubleshoot the issue.

It might be necessary to create a partition on it before you can assign a drive letter - not sure what state the DL32 has left it in...

Cheers,

Torsten

WK154

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Re: Hard Disk Problem
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2018, 03:22:17 PM »
I'm thinking that this is your problem.
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/open-disk-management-windows
This should allow you to first partition the drive and then format and assign drive letters
Just don't use Microsoft's formatter
Cheers
When in doubt KISS