External hard drive

PattyG3 · ‎03-15-2022

Why does my HP Pavillion want to format my external drive before backing up files on it?

itsmyname · ‎03-15-2022

@PattyG3 -- is this the very-first time that you are using the external device?

If so, then a "format" could be necessary.

If you have previously used the device, with no problems, then you now have a "hardware" issue.

Inside the case for the external device are two major components -- an ordinary disk-drive, and an adapter between your disk-drive and the USB-interface. A computer technician can open the case, remove the disk-drive, and test the disk-drive, to see if it has failed. If it is OK, than that adapter has failed.

If the disk-drive is OK, then purchase a new case, and mount the disk-drive into the case, to "revive" your external device.

Prométhée · ‎03-16-2022

hi

It's not necessarily a hardware problem.
this may be the type of partition in place, and what is required for the backup system
for example, an old hdd , which is in fat32 format but the system should be ntfs, or vice versa
So before opening the HDD, maybe you should check..
if there is already data on the external disk, transfer them, before formatting

https://www.howtogeek.com/235596/whats-the-difference-between-fat32-exfat-and-ntfs/

https://www.makeuseof.com/ntfs-fat-exfat-windows-10-file-systems-explained/

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