I just got an error this morning that says I need to format this external hard drive before I can use it. I can't do this because it has all my files one it. I can I fix it?

Probably, the new operating system cannot recognize your Seagate external hard drive. You can connect the Seagate external hard drive to another computer to copy data to another device. If the problem still exists, you might need to perform data recovery. You can free download the data recovery software: http://www.icare-recovery.com/seagate-recovery/seagate-external-cannot-be-recognized.html

The message "The Request Could Not Be Performed Because of an I/O Device Error" appears when Windows is unable to read the data on a storage device.

If this error message appears when attempting to access the files on an input/output

(I/O or IO) device, such as an external hard drive, the file system on the drive could be damaged, the drive could be infected with a virus or the data connector inside the device enclosure could have come loose.

If troubleshooting the drive fails to fix the IO device error, formatting the drive might repair the device.

Connect the external hard drive to the computer.

Run an antivirus program.

Click the "Scan" tab or button, then click "Custom."

Uncheck all items in the list except for the drive letter assigned to the external drive.

Click "OK." Click "Scan" or "Scan Now" to run a virus scan on the hard drive.

Quarantine or remove any infections the virus scanner detects.

Click "Start." Input "cmd.exe" into the search field.

Press "Enter" to open Command Prompt. Input "chkdsk <drive>: /f /r" into Command Prompt.

Replace "<drive>" with the letter assigned to your external hard drive.

Press "Enter" to run CheckDisk on the drive.

CheckDisk will search for and repair detected errors or bad sectors.

Burn the files on the external hard drive to a set of DVDs or move the files to another drive, if possible.

If the IO device error reappears when attempting to move the files, disconnect the external hard drive from the computer.

Remove the power adapter from the drive.

Check the documentation included with the drive for instructions to take the drive apart.

If no instructions are available, contact the manufacturer for instructions or find out if disassembling the drive will void the drive's warranty.

Remove the screws securing the faceplate to the drive or from the edge of the enclosure. Insert the edge of a small, flathead screwdriver in between either side of the enclosure to wedge both sides apart.

Check the connections to the drive.

Confirm that the IDE or SATA interface is plugged into the back of the drive.

Reassemble the external hard drive, reconnect the power adapter and reconnect the drive to the PC.

Attempt to access the files on the drive.

If the IO device error reappears, return to Command Prompt. Input "format /fs:fat32 <drive>:" into the command-line prompt.

Replace "<drive>" with the letter assigned to the external hard drive.

Press "y" when the message "Proceed with Format (Y/N)?" appears.

The process will format the drive, erasing all data on the disk.

If the drive still fails to function after format, you will need to replace the drive.

Hope this helps

The message "The Request Could Not Be Performed Because of an I/O Device Error" appears when Windows is unable to read the data on a storage device.

If this error message appears when attempting to access the files on an input/output (I/O or IO) device, such as an external hard drive, the file system on the drive could be damaged, the drive could be infected with a virus or the data connector inside the device enclosure could have come loose.

If troubleshooting the drive fails to fix the IO device error, formatting the drive might repair the device.

Connect the external hard drive to the computer.

Run an antivirus program.

Click the "Scan" tab or button, then click "Custom."

Uncheck all items in the list except for the drive letter assigned to the external drive.

Click "OK." Click "Scan" or "Scan Now" to run a virus scan on the hard drive.

Quarantine or remove any infections the virus scanner detects.

Click "Start." Input "cmd.exe" into the search field.

Press "Enter" to open Command Prompt. Input "chkdsk <drive>: /f /r" into Command Prompt.

Replace "<drive>" with the letter assigned to your external hard drive.

Press "Enter" to run CheckDisk on the drive.

CheckDisk will search for and repair detected errors or bad sectors.

Burn the files on the external hard drive to a set of DVDs or move the files to another drive, if possible.

If the IO device error reappears when attempting to move the files, disconnect the external hard drive from the computer.

Remove the power adapter from the drive.

Check the documentation included with the drive for instructions to take the drive apart.

If no instructions are available, contact the manufacturer for instructions or find out if disassembling the drive will void the drive's warranty.

Remove the screws securing the faceplate to the drive or from the edge of the enclosure. Insert the edge of a small, flathead screwdriver in between either side of the enclosure to wedge both sides apart.

Check the connections to the drive.

Confirm that the IDE or SATA interface is plugged into the back of the drive.

Reassemble the external hard drive, reconnect the power adapter and reconnect the drive to the PC.

Attempt to access the files on the drive.

If the IO device error reappears, return to Command Prompt. Input "format /fs:fat32 <drive>:" into the command-line prompt.

Replace "<drive>" with the letter assigned to the external hard drive.

Press "y" when the message "Proceed with Format (Y/N)?" appears.

The process will format the drive, erasing all data on the disk.

If the drive still fails to function after format, you will need to replace the drive.

Hope this helps

Scan your External Hard drive by antivirus at once and try it... if it doesn't work you need to format your Hard Drive.... thanks

To access the files off the hard drive another way - remove the hard drive from the case and connect it to an USB hard drive adapter and then plug it into a working computer's USB port. If the computer see the hard drive as an external hard drive/storage device and you can open the folders and files then backup your data. This also indicated the hard drive is OK and the Western Digital case/electronics is faulty.
To use this as an external USB hard drive, put the hard drive in an USB adapter case.

Go to My Computer, right click the external drive, cilck open. That will show the contents of the drive. Once you are happy that you wish to delete all the files click Edit/select all right click delete.

Or right click on the drive and select format.

Fat32 simply means that your hard drive can only read files up to 4GB, format your external harddrive using file system NTFS then try to back up all your files again. Hope it helps you...

You will receive an error message when copying a file larger than 4GB to the hard drive if the drive is formatted FAT32. The FAT32 file system has a file size limitation of 4GB. You may also receive an error when backing up to the hard drive using backup software. To correct this problem you will need to format the drive to NTFS. If you are using Windows ME or 98SE, you will not be able to use NTFS.
There are some products that do not support the NTFS files system or changing their file system. If you own a FlashTrax/FlashTrax XT/FotoChute/PhotoBank/USB FireLite XPress, you cannot change the format of the drive to NTFS. It must be kept as FAT32 in order to operate properly. If you are using SOHO NAS via ethernet, do not format it to NTFS. If you have any questions, please contact technical support before you format the drive.


Warning: Formatting a hard drive erases all data from the drive. Please backup any data prior to formatting the hard drive.
To format to NTFS, open My Computer.
1.Right-click on the Verbatim hard drive, left-click on Format.
2.Select NTFS as the File System.
3.Place a check in Quick Format.
4.Click Start.
Once the format completes, you will be able to copy files larger than 4GB to the hard drive.

I had a very similar problem. It turned out to be a faulty case.

If the drive was formatted, there is a very good chance you've destroyed your data and may need professional services to recover the files (if possible)

Chances are you just needed to replace the external case by removing the harddrive from the simpletech case and installing it in a new case.

But again, if the drive's been formatted, it may have wiped out your data.