External USB HDD identified as CD-ROM

[itma]

I have connected an older HP 2GB USB HDD (MD2000h). It shows on File Explorer as HDDs F: (CD Launcher) and G:.The F: partition shows as a CDFS device and clicking it just gives a pause but does nothing. The G: says nothing about its file system or capacity. When I try to read G:, I get an error message saying that I need to format the drive.

At this stage, I don't want to reformat as I can't remember if there is anything important on it.

Can anyone suggest how to get it back to NTFS so I can check what files are on it?

[old_geekster]

@itma , welcome to the Community.

Here is a software that will help you save any data that is on the hard drive: https://www.easeus.com/storage-media-recovery/flash-drive-shows-up-as-cd-drive.html

I have not used the software, but it appears to have a Trial version to see what it can do for you without buying it.  Read the information to see what you think.

[itma]

Many thanks, Old_geekster. That recovery program shows I have over 1.3GB and counting on HDD. It first did a Quick Scan, the easy stuff, I presume, and is now working on finding the more difficult stuff which takes about 6 hours for a 2TB drive. The trial version of the software only tells you what is on the drive. You need to buy the package ($70) to activate recovery.

Now that I have seen the website you sent me to, I have a better idea what to put in a Google search. It looks like there are a number of packages to address this problem.

Once I see what is on the drive in its totality I'll report back on what, if anything, I am going to do about it.

[itma]

when I said I had at least 1.3GB of data, I should have said 1.3TB.

[Prométhée · Accepted solution]

Hello
I have already tested this type of software, from memory, one had to be recuva
https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva
It may have changed since!
My problem was different because the hard drive had been erased by accident, but I had used multiple software because they don't always find the same thing ...
noted that it is advisable to have another external hard drive, to copy what is found ..

[itma]

Yes. I have a 4TB internal drive ready and waiting. That way, I can go over everything at leisure to keep what I want and throw out the rest. The recovery program is picking up a lot of previously deleted files. It is serendipity that some of those (the free version of the recovery program gives a limited review) are files I'm glad to see again.