The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer [FIX]

Hi this my first post, I made this account to tell you how to fix the HDD error, this is because you may have just pulled it out and corrupted the format. To fix it all you have to do is type:

diskutil list

Hit enter and then find the disk number, for example /dev/disk[Number Here].
In Disk Utility you can't repair it but in terminal you type in the command:

diskutil repairDisk /dev/disk[Number Here]

It should say

"Nonexistent, unknown, or damaged partition map scheme
If you are sure this disk contains a (damaged) APM, MBR, or GPT partition map,
you can hereby try to repair it enough to be recognized as a map; another
"diskutil repairDisk /dev/disk1" might then be necessary for further repairs
Proceed? (y/N)"

Hit "y" then enter

It should then say

"Partition map repair complete; you might now want to repeat the
verifyDisk or repairDisk verbs to perform further checks and repairs"

Now check and see if your HDD and your contents are on your desktop.

Hope this helps

Edit: After this, go into Disk Utility and then verify your disk

These commands are entered in a command line program called Terminal. It is found in Applications/Utilities.

Robot arms flailing wildly for the following disclaimer.
Danger Will Robinson: Be careful with Terminal commands. Enter the wrong command or wrong parameters and you may leave your system in worse shape than when you started.

Fully agree with the warning given by member "Slydude". Messing with the terminal and entering the commands as given by "KhalaR9" should not be attempted except by experienced command line users. And then, only then, after making a verifiable backup.

As already noted, entering the wrong terminal commands could result in a Mac that's "dead in the water".

repairDisk didn't work

After typing:
Proceed? (y/N) y

I get the following:
Error repairing map: Couldn't read partition map (-69876)


Is my drive dead?

Assuming you're referring to an external hard drive.... no the drive isn't dead but it's corrupt to the point where it can't be repaired. If you don't have a backup and the data is critical, you may need to use data recovery software. Do not attempt any more repairs on the drive if you intend to use data recovery software for fear of overwriting data or causing more damage.

It is indeed an external hard drive: WD 1.5TB Elements, formatted Mac OS Extended . What data recovery software would you recommend? I have tried DiskWarrior 4 and it would not recognize the external HD.

Slydude said:

Robot arms flailing wildly for the following disclaimer.
Danger Will Robinson: Be careful with Terminal commands. Enter the wrong command or wrong parameters and you may leave your system in worse shape than when you started.

Click to expand...

ABSOLUTELY!!!

- Nick

DW does not do the trick others may not be much good either. Date Rescue 3 costs $99 but there is a demo version on the web site. It may show what is recoverable but remember this demo will only save one file 10MB maximum. Commercial recovery costs thousands $$$$$!


http://www.prosofteng.com/downloads/download.php?prodID=78

What data recovery software would you recommend? I have tried DiskWarrior 4 and it would not recognize the external HD.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, that's not a good sign. Disk Warrior 4 is one of the best utilities for repairing a corrupt hard drive. Data Rescue 3 suggested by Harry may or may not work. I suspect that it too will not be able to recognize the drive. But since they have a trial version available, it won't cost anything to download and run a test with.

Data Rescue can see the hard drive, but seems to be having difficulty doing anything to it. Error with quick scan.

Sorto fo worked for me

External hard disc not readable

diskutil list showed a list but the formatting confused me for a bit

diskutil repairDisc xxxxxx

failed several times with error

Nonexistent, unknown, or damaged partition map scheme
If you are sure this disk contains a (damaged) APM, MBR, or GPT partition map,
you can hereby try to repair it enough to be recognized as a map; another
"diskutil repairDisk /dev/disk1" might then be necessary for further repairs
Proceed? (y/N) y
Error repairing map: POSIX reports: Resource busy (16)


Ejected disk

Plugged disk into laptop directly not via a hub.

diskutil repairDisc xxxxxx failed with a message

Unable to repair this whole disk: A GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme is required (-69773)

I noticed the disc was shown in /Volumes and was then abel to fix it using disc utility (GUI not command line)

Success. But Backup to that dsc was very slow.

I am a photographer so forgive me for having little clue of what a lot of this tread means. My entire last years work is on this drive. So in addition I am a bit stressed over the issue.
However I was able to get to the part where the HDD was ejected. (I ejected and reinsert my external HDD. I found it in /Volume and it worked but very slow) This is what I get ~Meggs~
Error repairing map: POSIX reports: Input/output error (5)
Then When I reinsert my hard drive I still get the same things previously posted.