Maxtor External Hard Drive wiped everything.

eljono

Hello there,

I bought a 300GB Maxtor External Hard Drive about two months ago. I have since put 80-90GB's onto it. Last night I plugged it into my mates laptop to watch a film as we have previously done. But when we opened it on the desktop there was nothing there. We stayed at it for a while and when we right-clicked on properties it said that there was 103GB saved on it and total memory was 250GB!
Does anyone know if the files are recoverable or has anyone else experienced such problems with this make?
I have always shut it down properly and am careful with it as there was a lot of personal stuff on it.
Any ideas?

KdjaCL

All files are recoverable using certain software but its hit and miss.

Are you sure you buggered it up.
Try get Easy Recovery pro thats the best.

kdjac

eljono

Just tried downloading Easy Recovery pro but just got invited to join a load of p0rn sites! I'll give it another shot tomorrow, cheers.undefined

KdjaCL

Make sure its fukked before you sue that software , if its not and you have made an oversight to somfin you will lose everything that you dont recover (a hycoo)

Make sure cables are correct if its Firewire and USB try both, uninstall it and reinstall it (wont lose info just windows rechecking it ).

Use recovery software as a last resort.

kdjac

eljono

Ok thanks I'll post here again to tell how it goes.

Bri

It's only an uneducated suggestion but what if you use the Maxtor CD and installed it first and then connected and turned on the HD. The documentation is full of warnings on how to do it right. I've never disobeyed it (mines 2 weeks old!) but I always notice my zip drives go funny(ier) on computers without Iomega installations first...

Good luck!

Deadwing

I had an 80gb maxtor external drive, and the installation software was rubbis. Had constant problems with it from the word go. The only software that appeared to be on the drivers cd was that dantz retrospect crap and no actual drivers. I just downloaded the proper drivers from maxtor.com, that sorted out my problems.

the_syco

Got a 200GB seagate after going though two 200GB Maxtor's. Everytime I reached about 80GB, or so, the MBR would just go. Hopefully this Seagate won't get f**ked up.

ElNino

Are you using the Firewire or USB Connection? If you are using the Firewire connection make sure that you have a decent Firewire card. My Ipod and Maxtor were constantly getting fecked up because I was using a cheapo Firewire card which I bought for $10 in the States. The Firewire port on your sound card is no good either. Finally I splashed out on an Adaptec 4300 and I have no problems since.

eljono

@ Elnino, I'm using the USB cable

@ Bri, "It's only an uneducated suggestion but what if you use the Maxtor CD and installed it first and then connected and turned on the HD"
I have installed the software, followed all the procedures so it must be faulty. Doesn't really matter now, I've to send it back this week.

10000maniacs

It doesnt happen a lot to me, but when it does I use FinalRecovery
http://www.finalrecovery.com/download.htm
Works a treat every time.

Bri

Fair enough good luck with it all.

Canis Lupus

just one little suggestion... the files arent "hidden" are they?