Disk Management and external hard drive issue


Felisius

Member
Local time
9:07 AM
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6
OS
Windows 11
Hi everyone. I really hope that someone can assist.
My external hard drive didn't show under "My PC" so i started Googling and tried to fix it myself...big mistake.
I accessed 'disk manager' and started fiddling with letters, formatting, adding volumes etc.
There is a drive that i cannot delete and my external hard drive cannot receive files when attempting to copy from Mac...
Long story short. I do i restore my original disk manager settings and why cant i not copy any files onto my external hd anymore?
The name of my external hd also changed to 'new volume'...?
I'm totally out of my depth here and would really appreciate any advise.
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
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    Lenovo Ideapad 3
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    Intel i3
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The name of my external hd also changed to 'new volume'...?
That sounds like you formatted the disk, and possibly overwrote the data.

Recuvva may be able to assist you in restoring it.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 10
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    Ryzen 3900X
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That sounds like you formatted the disk, and possibly overwrote the data.

Recuvva may be able to assist you in restoring it.
Thanks. I definitely formatted my external hard drive. My issue is that when i connect my external to usb a pop window appears which states that i dont have authority to access the drive and i cant seem to delete the extra drive that i created by accident.
This is the situation:
-I seemed to create a drive(local disk) called B: which i cant access or remove under 'my pc'
-My external(D) does show now after i created a new volume...dont ask me how i did that haha
-Does the letters matter?
-Why cant i suddenly not copy files onto my external hd from my Mac?

Much appreciated brother
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Ideapad 3
    CPU
    Intel i3
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" FHD
    Hard Drives
    1TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    25/25 Fibre
    Browser
    Windows 11
Macs just don't like disks which have been formatted on non-Mac systems. In my experience, most Mac users would only ever recommend using the Mac's own "Disk Utility" to prepare external drives which are to be shared between Macs and Windows PCs. Such disks should be also formatted as exFAT for best compatibility with both systems; and not a 'native' Mac/Windows only format.

'Fiddling' with a disk intended for sharing using Windows utilities, including Disk Management and file recovery software, will almost certainly lead to failures and possible corruption if you then try to use the disk on a Mac computer.
 

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System One System Two

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    macOS (plus VMs: Windows XP, 7, 10 Home/Pro, 11 Home/Pro, Linux Distros)
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    a) Apple MacBook Pro (Intel) - 2019 b) Apple MacBook Pro M1 MAX - 2021
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    a) i7, b) i7
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    a) Defender, b) Defender
Macs just don't like disks which have been formatted on non-Mac systems. In my experience, most Mac users would only ever recommend using the Mac's own "Disk Utility" to prepare external drives which are to be shared between Macs and Windows PCs. Such disks should be also formatted as exFAT for best compatibility with both systems; and not a 'native' Mac/Windows only format.

'Fiddling' with a disk intended for sharing using Windows utilities, including Disk Management and file recovery software, will almost certainly lead to failures and possible corruption if you then try to use the disk on a Mac computer.
Thanks. Would i be able to reset my disk manager settings by reinstalling Windows or how should i go about? And is my external hard drive broken now?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Ideapad 3
    CPU
    Intel i3
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" FHD
    Hard Drives
    1TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    25/25 Fibre
    Browser
    Windows 11
Doubtful that you have broken it.
The additional drive may be a partition on your messed up external drive? I'd suggest you could probably sort the drive out using MiniTool Partition Wizard or Disk Genius with which you you can repartition and format it with exFAT using either, both are free.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 OS Build 22623.1095
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME B350-PLUS
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 @3000Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS - GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB TUF GAMING OC
    Sound Card
    On Board Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    240GB PNY CS900 SSD - OS
    2 x 1TB Crucial MX500 SSD
    1 x 500GB Crucial MX300 SSD
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001-1ER164
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2FR102
    PSU
    750 Watt Corsair TX750 Plus
    Case
    Cooler Master 690 III
    Cooling
    Akasa AK98 5 Case Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 - wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech - M185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 22621.900
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3881 - modified with SFX PSU fitted internally
    CPU
    Intel i5 - 10400
    Motherboard
    Dell 032w55 version A00
    Memory
    16GB of HyperX Fury @ 2133 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 6GB GTX 1060.
    Sound Card
    Builtin
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK hynix NVMe
    1TB Western Digital WD10EZEX-75WN4A1
    PSU
    Modular 450 Watt Corsair SF450 Platinum ( Mod to replace the Dell 265 Watt PSU)
    Case
    Inspiron Small Desktop
    Cooling
    Dell stock cooler
    Mouse
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
I have 2 x 4TB External USB HDDs, both came formatted as exFAT. The package was marked as for use by PC and Mac, hence the formatting. Mac OS X [and maybe the newer macOS] can read NTFS drives but can't write to them unless using added software, I got mine from the Apple Store. Can't say about macOS as my MacBook Pro died just as it came out. Many won't have the process I use to clean drives as I do it with the drives in a Dock attached to a Linux computer with GPARTED program installed. There also is the Bootable GPARTED LiveCD that is the same, runs a 'lite' version of Linux.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Thanks everyone for the advise! After much frustration i realized that my external hard drive(Seagate 1TB) settings just needs to be reset to the original settings. I only have 2 partitions now where there used to be 3. Do i set both to primary allocations?
1658214525206.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Ideapad 3
    CPU
    Intel i3
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" FHD
    Hard Drives
    1TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    25/25 Fibre
    Browser
    Windows 11
Why has the secondary drive got a systems partition ? Was it connected when Windows was (re)installed ?

Disconnect secondary drive and re-boot ? Does Windows start OK ?

If so, delete that partition and expand the D:\ partition to cover the whole drive.

You get a better "picture" of what's happening, and being able to do it, with 3rd party disk managment software
All freeware ...
- AOMEI Parution Assistant
- MiniTool Partition Wizard
- EaseUS Parition Master
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-9400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Classic Australian w.a.p.
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (latest upadte ... anally always)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
Thanks everyone for the advise! After much frustration i realized that my external hard drive(Seagate 1TB) settings just needs to be reset to the original settings. I only have 2 partitions now where there used to be 3. Do i set both to primary allocations?
I find the External or Portable drives need only one partition but there's no reason not to have 2 or more depending upon how much separation of files one wants such as Music on one partition, Pictures on another, etc. However, using one for backing up the internal drive probably is best left to the backup program doing it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Folders are better rather than multiple partitions.

And remember, internal drives may be convenient for backup in case of source failure, but not much good if connected when the computer gets infected (virus, malware ... and worst of all ransomeware. The whole lot goes down.)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-9400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Classic Australian w.a.p.
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (latest upadte ... anally always)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
Windows Disk Manager isn't a good disk manager as it doesn't show all partitions. I suggest you install Minitool Partition (free).
To use the external drive on Mac and Windows it must be formatted as exFat, not NTFS.
- With Minitool delete ALL partitions on the drive, create a new partition and format as exFat
 

My Computers

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    Windows 7 HP 64 - Windows 11 Pro - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 128G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 7 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
Windows Disk Manager isn't a good disk manager as it doesn't show all partitions. I suggest you install Minitool Partition (free).
To use the external drive on Mac and Windows it must be formatted as exFat, not NTFS.
- With Minitool delete ALL partitions on the drive, create a new partition and format as exFat
Thanks a mill! Will give it a go. Every time that i insert my external drive a pop up window appears with a error saying that i don't have authorization to access. Super annoying. This is the disk that i created and cannot seem to delete the potato. Will Minitool sort this out? I just want the bloody thing to show my external and not the faulty drive. This is making me faarkin crazy guys
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Ideapad 3
    CPU
    Intel i3
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" FHD
    Hard Drives
    1TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    25/25 Fibre
    Browser
    Windows 11
Every time that i insert my external drive a pop up window appears with a error saying that i don't have authorization to access. Super annoying. This is the disk that i created and cannot seem to delete the potato. Will Minitool sort this out? I just want the bloody thing to show my external and not the faulty drive. This is making me faarkin crazy guys
It's not a magic potion, it won't override any user restrictions set by Windows. That error message sounds like it something outside the purpose of partitioning software. There could be something else blocking your access (e.g. are you an Admin level user?)

Is this a new thing? All your above posts indicated you have/had access to enable you do things to it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-9400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Classic Australian w.a.p.
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (latest upadte ... anally always)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
Disk permissions set to previous user / Computer as owner? Maybe Check the permissions and check who the owner is.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 OS Build 22623.1095
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME B350-PLUS
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 @3000Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS - GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB TUF GAMING OC
    Sound Card
    On Board Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    240GB PNY CS900 SSD - OS
    2 x 1TB Crucial MX500 SSD
    1 x 500GB Crucial MX300 SSD
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001-1ER164
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2FR102
    PSU
    750 Watt Corsair TX750 Plus
    Case
    Cooler Master 690 III
    Cooling
    Akasa AK98 5 Case Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 - wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech - M185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 22621.900
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3881 - modified with SFX PSU fitted internally
    CPU
    Intel i5 - 10400
    Motherboard
    Dell 032w55 version A00
    Memory
    16GB of HyperX Fury @ 2133 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 6GB GTX 1060.
    Sound Card
    Builtin
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK hynix NVMe
    1TB Western Digital WD10EZEX-75WN4A1
    PSU
    Modular 450 Watt Corsair SF450 Platinum ( Mod to replace the Dell 265 Watt PSU)
    Case
    Inspiron Small Desktop
    Cooling
    Dell stock cooler
    Mouse
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
Thank you everyone for the assistance. By some miracle i managed to sort the issue out. Megahertz's and clam 1952's advise worked perfectly!
I owe you all a beer:party:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Ideapad 3
    CPU
    Intel i3
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" FHD
    Hard Drives
    1TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    25/25 Fibre
    Browser
    Windows 11
Thank you everyone for the assistance. By some miracle i managed to sort the issue out. Megahertz's and clam 1952's advise worked perfectly!
I owe you all a beer:party:
I like my beer very cold. :wink:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64 - Windows 11 Pro - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 128G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 7 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64

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