01-10-2008, 08:43 PM

Hi, i recently bought a western digital passport HD (the small black shiny ones) for my macbook pro. It was working fine one night then the next morning it wouldn't work!! It says:

'The disc you inserted was not readable by this computer'

Also in disc utility its says the disc is 2TB which would be pretty for a portable exernal

Any ideas?
Cheers,
Sam

01-30-2008, 11:21 AM

same exact problem here. Any ideas on what to do? In my Google Search, I came across this:

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-623...228174&start=0

02-05-2008, 02:35 PM

I Thought i'd post an update..

I've posted about this problem in a few places:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Probl...e-t180112.html
http://websupport.wdc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6764

From the geekstogo, it was suggested that my master boot record might be messed up. i'm waiting to hear some more details back on that.

I scrolled through the advice here:
http://websupport.wdc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4464

And went to:
http://support.wdc.com/download/?cxml=n&pid=33&swid=22

And downloaded Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows. I don't have admin privileges on my work computer but was able to install at least some derivation of this program. Windows XP detects the external hard drive but won't let me see the contents on Windows Explorer. However, the Data Lifeguard program let's me see two 80gb hard drives with a SMART status of PASS. However, whenever I go to try and click on any of the drives to do a quick test, it says Cable Test::Read diagnostics sector error! I click ok and it says Cable Test failed ! Please check the cables.

I've tried 3 diff USB cables including the short one that came with the unit. I'm really wondering (and hoping) that the problem is in this mini usb to S ATA board. I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to switch this out?

09-12-2008, 09:50 PM

bumping this to the top. I'm having this exact same issue. I've tried everything posted and and in the links provided.

tried going to the wd website and downloading their tool - the pos didn't even recognize the hd was plugged into the windows machine.

they also didn't have anything related to repairing master boot record on their site. i feel like there may be a manual way to do this, but i have no idea where to start.

any ideas?

09-12-2008, 10:18 PM

Another side note - I would be content with just getting the data off, and then taking this thing to the rifle range.

I tried Stellar Phoenix on it, to no avail. It recognizes the disk, but at 0kb... and when you attempt to start a raw data recovery it automatically aborts.

If nothing else, perhaps someone could recommend a different data recovery tool that might handle this situation (and that won't cost me an arm and a leg)?