Should I reformat and re-use a hard drive after a logical failure?

[deucemagnet]

I have an Iomega 1TB external hard drive that bricked on me (first cyclic redundancy errors, then eventually the computer would recognize the drive but read it as unformatted). I replaced it with a 1TB WD Caviar Black and was able to recover most of the data simply by unplugging the Iomega for a while, then, if I was lucky, it would function normally for a short while after I plugged it back in.

Now that I've recovered all of the important data, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to reformat the Iomega and continue using it. I'll never trust it again, but I'm reluctant to throw away 1TB of storage, even if it's unreliable storage for unimportant stuff. Any advice?

[PoliticAverse]

1. Can you open the case and identify and remove the drive inside ? n/t

[deucemagnet]

5. I haven't tried that yet.

I think I'm going to give reformatting a shot. If it turns out to be a mechanical problem, the reformatting probably won't work and I'll have lost nothing.

[Fumesucker]

2. Try a low level format on it and then a regular format.

http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

I've successfully restored fairly thoroughly borked hard drives with this.

Be aware that on a terabyte drive it's going to take a while for the low level format, let it run overnight or something.

As long as you don't put data you can't afford to lose on it I see no problem.

ETA: You'll need to partition the drive after the LLF, this will do the partition and do the high level format too and a lot faster than the OS will.

Both of the utilities are free.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/SwissKnife.shtml

[deucemagnet]

4. Thanks, I think I'll give it a shot.

I already have EASUS Partition Master and Paragon Partition Manager that I picked up on giveawayoftheday.com a while back. It looks like I finally have a use for them!

[pokerfan]

3. Provided you back-up your data, why not?

FWIW, I don't trust any hard drive. Or flash drives for that matter. If it formats (which amounts to a test of sorts) and passes any further tests I throw at it, I would go ahead and use it. But always back up your data.

[gvstn]

6. I say go ahead and use it.

I've used old drives that I consider unreliable for an OS for years afterward as data drives. They seem to be fine.

A couple of thoughts are that I am not sure Easeus will do a low level format. I know Partition Wizard only does quick format. So if Easeus finishes up formatting too quickly you may want to use a different utility as others have mentioned.

The other thought is that it might be wise to create say 4 ~250gb partitions rather than one large 1tb partition. It may be less likely that four partitions will all come up RAW if there are problems later.

So one low level format to erase the whole HD. Then create four primary partitions. Then format those to NTFS using full format option. At least you would know that you are starting as fresh as possible.

[deucemagnet]

9. Good advice, thanks.

I downloaded the low-level format tool that Fumesucker linked to. I like the multiple partition idea. If all goes well, I'll give it a go in the morning.

[hobbit709]

7. 9 out 10 times it's not the drive, it's the interface between the drive and USB.

I've had external drives that the computer would not recognize. when I took them out of the case and connected them with my one size fits all adapter, not only was it recognized immediately but my drive utility would say there are no problems with the drive itself.

[deucemagnet]

8. Thanks, I'll look into that as well.

If this low-level reformat doesn't work I'll get an adapter off tigerdirect and see how that goes.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

10. I would also advise...

...checking all of the cables then check the enclosure to ensure the cooling fan operates if it has one. Heat is one of the things that will kill a drive.

[deucemagnet]

11. Thanks.

I actually changed the cable and it seemed to be fixed before the same symptoms showed up again. Pisses me off because I probably trashed a perfectly good cable because of that.

[deucemagnet]

12. Update: The low level format did not work.

My dead drive just crashed the application. I opened up the case and found a Seagate Barracuda inside. These drives have a bad reputation for bricking, so I think I just might be thankful for the data I recovered and stick to WD drives from now on.