Can't access or format H:\

[Philip M]

I hope this is the right forum.

I have a 186GB external hard disk as H:\. I use this to backup my files using Cobian Backup. I tried to delete certain old backups but received the error message 0x80070019 (files are not empty). I then ran checkdisk which reported errors. But since then I cannot access the disk.

I can see H:\ in Windows Explorer but clicking on it brings up the message H:\ is inaccessible. You must format the disk before you can use it. But when I try to format the disk I get the same message - H:\ is inaccessible.

I would like to clear the disk (format) and start agin with a new backup.

Advice, please?

[ua549]

The drive may be totally corrupt.
What shows in Disk Management?
There you should be able to partition and format the drive.

[SuperSparks]

If all else fails, you should be able to zap the drive back to a raw state using this old utility:

Delpart

Be very, very careful to choose the right drive though.

[Midknyte]

I then ran checkdisk which reported errors. But since then I cannot access the disk.

Did you run the manufacturer's diagnostics? If the drive is bad, there is no sense in reformatting it and using it again.

[Philip M]

Looks as though the disk has died! Best get a new one. But it was only a few months old!

Thanks to all who responded to my question.

[jdc2000]

That drive should still be under warranty if it was new.

[SuperSparks]

The vast majority of drives have a 3 year warranty, so you should be OK there. Early failure is a well known phenomenon that can happen with any electronic device unfortunately, but anything that lives through its early life usually goes on top last a long time.