2

I have an WD MyPassport external HD that won't even mount anymore. I have tried several things (most of which suggestions from this forum), such as using testdisk, mkfs.ext4, mkfs.ext3, mkfs.ntfs and etc. At this point, as you can see, I don't really care about the files anymore. I would just like to be able to use my HD again. Any help is appreciated.

PS.: some outputs you might find useful

$ sudo mount /dev/sdb /media/wd/
mount: /dev/sdb: can't read superblock

$ sudo dumpe2fs /dev/sdb | grep superblock
dumpe2fs 1.42.9 (4-Feb-2014)
dumpe2fs: Attempt to read block from filesystem resulted in short read while trying to open /dev/sdb
Couldn't find valid filesystem superblock.

$ sudo fsck /dev/sdb 
fsck from util-linux 2.20.1
e2fsck 1.42.9 (4-Feb-2014)
fsck.ext2: Attempt to read block from filesystem resulted in short read while trying to open /dev/sdb
Could this be a zero-length partition?

The command sudo fdisk -l /dev/sdb outputs nothing. The "zero partition" part cought my eye, but I don't know what to do with it.

TomCho
  • 364

3 Answers3

0

If it won't mount more then likely you have a bad sector (which is why you can't access your files), It's cheaper just to replace the hard drive then to spend time fixing it if that is the case, I would unscrew the case and just buy a 3.5inch drive and replace it. It's pretty simple to do that.

Reuben deVries
  • 153
0

Try mounting the first partition /dev/sdb1 instead of the device /dev/sdb Likewise for the other commands, use the partition. Now while it is possible to have created the disk without partitions, that's not likely, but if you did, then include the loop option in the mount command -- ie. treat it like a big file.

The partitionless disk you created should be mounted with a loop option, something like:

sudo mount -text4 -oloop,rw  /dev/sdb /mnt/somewhere

Haven't done that but once, so might have left something out. The above assumes an ext4 type filesystem, use the type you used when you created the filesystem on the disk.

ubfan1
  • 19,049
0

Use the following command to completely wipe the first GByte of the disk:

Warning: The command dd is the abbreviation of Disk Destroyer! Use with care!!!

sudo dd if=/dev/null of=/dev/XdY bs=512 count=1G

where X and Y are the correct parameters for the disk (Probably s and b) If I were you, I would remove all hard disks from this computer, except the faulty one, boot from a LiveCD and then execute the command!

P.S. Some people don't understand that re-using an old disk can be a life saver. Read here and then look at the number of upvotes per answer! ;-)

Community
  • 1
Fabby
  • 35,017