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Can't open external Hard Disk

Asked by Japaneseforms

I have a Western Digital Hard Disk which I cannot open. This is a problem because it contains numerous photo files which i would like to add to Picasa... It's the first time that I have used it with Ubuntu but it's impossible to unlock it (apparently). I have 2 other likewise disks... One which opens without any problems and the second which I cannot open because i password protected it while using it in WINDOWS... The problem I have right now is with my 3rd external hard disk which is NOT password protected. I've opened dozens of times in WINDOWS but this is the first time I've attempted to do so with UBUNTU.

Please advise.

Thanks for any help.

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

When you last unplugged the device, did you safely remove the device or did you just yank it out with no action taken in the OS?

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#2

Also tell us What is the error message when you attempted to open the drive in Ubuntu ?

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Japaneseforms (japaneseforms) said : 		#3

actionparsnip:
No, I didn't just "yank it out." I removed it after closing down Windows completely. I then plugged it into my other laptop (running under Ubuntu).

NikTh :

I get this message when i attempt to open :

Archive: /media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe
[/media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe]
  End-of-central-directory signature not found. Either this file is not
  a zipfile, or it constitutes one disk of a multi-part archive. In the
  latter case the central directory and zipfile comment will be found on
  the last disk(s) of this archive.
note: /media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe may be a plain executable, not an archive
zipinfo: cannot find zipfile directory in one of /media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe or
          /media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe.zip, and cannot find /media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe.ZIP, period.

Thanks, guys

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Best N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#4

It is locked too my friend..

You see ?

"Archive: /media/WD Unlocker/WD Drive Unlock.exe"

Maybe you locked the drive from the WD locked software ?

Probably yes , you used the WD locker software and the drive is locked.. you must FIRST unlock the driver by using Unlock.exe software... Of course from within Windows.

Thanks

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

Once unlocked it should work. Avoiding junk like this with Windows specific functionality and buying generic drives which are simple drives you will have a significantly easier time

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Japaneseforms (japaneseforms) said : 		#6

Hi,
NikTh & actionparsnip
I opened Windows and UNLOCKED the disk... In fact it had a security overwrite and opened automatically in Windows.
I then proceeded to to simply suppress the PASSWORD/UNLOCK and give it a try in Ubuntu... Hey presto ! It works and i can now access my files.

I'm not very computer savvy; especially with Ubuntu/Linux so you help in solving this problem is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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Japaneseforms (japaneseforms) said : 		#7

Thanks NikTh, that solved my question.