Need help with a 4 TB HDD, that got unmounted while resizing

Recovering Data from a Damaged 4TB External Hard Drive: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing valuable data from an external hard drive can be a distressing experience, especially when the drive contains important information. If you’ve encountered issues such as unmounted partitions following a resizing attempt, you’re not alone. In this article, we will explore the typical scenario, potential causes, and effective strategies for data recovery.

Understanding the Scenario

Imagine using a Western Digital (WD) My Passport 4TB external drive, partitioned into two almost 2TB segments. You decided to resize one partition via Windows Disk Management to create additional space. Unbeknownst to you, this process unexpectedly resulted in both partitions becoming unmounted, and subsequent attempts to access them failed, prompting you to format the drives in desperation.

This sequence highlights a common dilemma faced by many users: unintended data loss during partition management.

Common Causes of Partition Issues During Resizing

• Partitioning errors: Resizing operations can sometimes interfere with partition tables, especially if not performed carefully.
• File system corruption: Improper shutdowns or interruptions during partition adjustments can corrupt file systems.
• Drive errors or physical issues: Bad sectors or hardware issues could contribute to mounting problems.
• Incompatibility or software bugs: Using incompatible tools or bugs in disk management utilities can cause data loss.

Immediate Actions for Data Recovery

If your partitions have become unmounted or disappear entirely, follow these steps:

1. Stop Using the Drive Immediately

2. To prevent overwriting your data, avoid writing new data to the drive.

3. Assess the Situation

4. Check Disk Management in Windows: Right-click on ‘This PC’ > ‘Manage’ > ‘Disk Management’ to see the drive’s current state.

5. Use Data Recovery Software

6. Employ reputable tools such as Recuva, MiniTool Power Data Recovery, or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

7. These tools can scan unallocated or corrupted partitions for recoverable files without altering existing data.

8. Consider Professional Data Recovery Services

9. If software attempts fail or the drive shows signs of hardware failure, consult a data recovery specialist.

Best Practices Moving Forward

• Avoid Formatting: As tempting as it may be, formatting should be a last resort after successful data recovery.
• Create a Disk Image: Before attempting further partition adjustments,