"Empty" external hard drive

Solved/Closed
summer - Updated on Sep 16, 2017 at 07:33 AM
 Thanks - Jan 9, 2019 at 09:45 AM
Hello,

I have a LOT of files stored in my external hard drive, but for some reason, every time I try to access it, it says that my drive is empty. The weird thing is, if you check on its properties, the used capacity is the same - so clearly, it isn't empty yet. I really have some important files there that I don't have backup for. Help?

Thank you.

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1 response

jack4rall Posts 6428 Registration date Sunday June 6, 2010 Status Moderator Last seen July 16, 2020
Updated on Dec 11, 2018 at 01:03 PM
Hello,
  • Check whether files are not in hidden mode.
  • Click on "Start" --> In search box, type cmd and press "Enter".
  • Command prompt will be opened.
  • Here I assume your External hard drive letter as G:
  • Enter this command.
    attrib -h -r -s /s /d g:\*.*
  • You can copy the above command --> Right-click in the Command Prompt and paste it.
  • Note : Don't forget to replace the letter g with your External hard drive letter.
  • Now press "Enter".
  • Now check for your files in your External hard drive.


Good Luck.
47
well, I tried it and this is what I got:


C:\Users\NEO>attrib -h -r -s /s /d G:\*.*
Access denied - G:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2590995076-3651534325-4019763112-1000
Access denied - G:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-3319309026-272854084-2858267046-1000
Access denied - G:\System Volume Information
0
jack4rall Posts 6428 Registration date Sunday June 6, 2010 Status Moderator Last seen July 16, 2020
Oct 6, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Hello,
Let the process gets completed. There are some files like system volume information where
the user don't have permission to access it. So such files will be denied.
Wait for the process to get completed then you can look for your files in the external hard drive.
Good Luck.
0