Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

I cannot access my Toshiba External HDD. When I use chkdsk, It complains "Unable to determine volume version and state, chkdsk aborted". I cannot think of any other way to restore it. I don't have access to buy recovery software so, freeware is preferrable.
Thanks all

  • 7 Contributors
  • 9 Replies
  • 9K Views
  • 8 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Johannes M.

Dani AI

Generated

The CHKDSK message "Unable to determine volume version and state" usually means Windows cannot read the file system’s vital metadata (e.g., NTFS boot sector/MFT) or the USB bridge is returning flaky/timeout reads. In this state, running chkdsk with /f or /r can make things worse because it may write to a damaged volume. Treat this as a data-recovery problem first, not a repair problem.

Do the least-invasive checks, then image the drive before any fixes:

  • Power and cable: weak USB power can mimic corruption. For 2.5 in drives use a Y-cable or powered hub; for 3.5 in drives verify the brick. If possible, attach the bare SATA drive directly to a desktop port to bypass the USB bridge.

  • Health: view SMART to decide if the disk is failing. A portable tool like CrystalDiskInfo can show Reallocated/Pending sectors. If SMART is bad or the drive clicks, avoid repeated scans and move straight to imaging. See CrystalDiskInfo: https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/

  • Inspect, don’t write: open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc). If the partition shows RAW or the disk is Unallocated, do not format.

  • Image first: create a sector-by-sector clone, then work on the image. On a Linux live USB you can do:

    sudo ddrescue -f -n /dev/sdX toshiba.img toshiba.map

    ddrescue manual: https://www.gnu.org/software/ddrescue/manual/ddrescue_manual.html

  • Logical recovery on the image: tools like DMDE (free edition) can reconstruct a lost partition or copy files without purchasing software: https://dmde.com/

Only attempt file system repair after you have a good image. If imaging stalls or the drive degrades, stop and reassess; every additional spin-up can reduce recoverable data.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for caperjack

I cannot think of any other way to restore it.

hi,chkdsk does not restore it ,it will just scan and fix/repair errors on the disk! SOMETIMES

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

So any suggestion? I want to repair it or if I can, recover the data

Member Avatar for shamrist

Hi,

1- connect the external HD to other PC and check again , if you can't access the HD then
2- connect the external HD to other OS like Linux, if you can't access the HD then
3- if you hear sound like a noise inside the HD then its physical problem and you must use recovery software as mentioned in the above reply
4- if you dont hear the sound may be the problem from the HD interface (case) and your data is safe , you just change the interface (case) and try again

i hope this will solve you problem
*sorry for my bad english specially the grammer its Zero :)

Member Avatar for caperjack

Hi,
4- you just change the interface (case) and try again

all good advise ,but you will need the interface from the exact same hard drive

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

Ok I will try and post back.

Member Avatar for Gyurika

I cannot access my Toshiba External HDD. When I use chkdsk, It complains "Unable to determine volume version and state, chkdsk aborted". I cannot think of any other way to restore it. I don't have access to buy recovery software so, freeware is preferrable.
Thanks all

I am sorry you did not get a single meaningful answer, I have the same problem. Have you solved it since?

As to your sign in question - it is really silly. Angel devil hell, heaven - list goes on. It is the fundamental question of a fantastic book by Janos Lang. If by Lenin's definition the mind is reality in a different form - implicitly stating that reality is primary and mind secondary - reality in a mind [image] form - then how is it possible to have images in our mind that do not exist in reality? And so he wrote a whole fascinating book on it.
So how is your HD? // George

Member Avatar for Johannes M.

Use TESTDISK - simple and effective. There are many stages of a crashed disk - from a corrupted MBR to physically damaged disk sectors, and most problems reported are different. This one works at many of the stages, so just download it, read the manual and rescue your data. As I am doing it right now. Good luck!

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.