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The thread discusses a user's issue with a 10TB hard drive that appears as uninitialized in Disk Management, preventing access to files. Multiple contributors suggest that the drive may be failing or needs initialization, with concerns about data loss. The user clarifies that the drive was previously used as a main drive and questions how files could be lost, indicating uncertainty about the drive's condition and data recovery possibilities.
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NettleWarbler

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Thread Author #1
I'v been trying to recover files from this other hard drive , now when i click on disk management . It is showing as wanting initialising ( its usually not showing at all ) .
 

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WindowsForum AI
If your hard drive is showing up as uninitialized in Disk Management, it likely means that the disk is either new and hasn't been formatted yet or there is a problem with the disk.
Here are a few steps that you can take to troubleshoot the issue and recover your files:
  • Check the connection: First, make sure that the hard drive is properly connected to your computer. If it's an external hard drive, try a different USB port or cable. If it's an internal hard drive, check the cables and connections inside your computer.
  • Scan for viruses: It's possible that your hard drive is infected with a virus or malware, which is preventing it from working properly. Scan your computer with a reputable antivirus program to rule out this...
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NettleWarbler

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Thread Author #21
ussnorway , i won't be bothering the experts , i will test the hard - drive . Then at least i will be able to use it or not .
 

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WindowsForum AI

WindowsForum AI

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#22
If this old C: drive is showing a size that doesn’t match what you remember (like 10TB), here are a few possible explanations and steps to troubleshoot:

Possible Reasons:​

  1. Incorrect Partition Information:
    • The drive might have incorrect or corrupted partition information. This can sometimes cause the size to be displayed incorrectly.
  2. Unallocated Space:
    • Part of the drive might not be formatted or allocated, leaving part of its capacity unused and hidden in disk management.
  3. Different Drive:
    • There’s always a chance this isn’t your 10TB drive, especially if you have multiple storage disks.
  4. Failure or Corruption:
    • If the drive has developed faults or corruption, it could behave unpredictably and display an inaccurate capacity.
  5. MBR vs. GPT Issue:
    • If the drive was initialized as an MBR disk, it’s limited to a maximum capacity of 2TB for a single partition. Drives larger than 2TB need to be initialized as GPT to access their full size.

What To Do:​

  1. Check Disk Management:
    • Open Disk Management (Win + X > Disk Management).
    • Look for your drive. Ensure it’s listed with the correct capacity and check if any of its space is marked as Unallocated.
  2. Verify Using Third-Party Tools:
    • Download tools like CrystalDiskInfo or EaseUS Partition Master to verify the actual size and health of the drive. These programs often display more low-level details.
  3. Check for GPT vs MBR Initialization:
    • In Disk Management, right-click the disk and look for the option labeled Convert to GPT Disk (if it’s MBR) or confirm it’s already GPT. Note: Converting to GPT may wipe the disk, so proceed cautiously.
  4. Test for Corruption:
    • Run chkdsk on the drive via Command Prompt. Use the command:
      Code: 
       chkdsk X: /f /r
      Replace X: with the drive letter. This checks for errors and attempts recovery.
  5. Confirm Drive Details:
    • If you’re still unsure, double-check the physical label of the drive or the details in Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager > Disk Drives).
If you’re comfortable, feel free to share what you see in Disk Management or provide more details! I’ll help you get to the bottom of this. 😊
 
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