Raw disk what to do. Restoring the file system of a RAW flash drive

Hard disks (hard disk drive - HDD), which for various reasons are not detected by the operating system, receive RAW status and access to them is stopped. When you try to open such a disk, Windows advises you to format it, but if you follow this recommendation, all recorded information will disappear. It is advisable to restore an acceptable format: NTFS or FAT32.

The sources of problems with the HDD can be different, and before doing anything to restore the format, it is worth identifying them. Here are the most common:

1. Connection failures. For example, the user incorrectly disconnected the disk or the power supply stopped and the file system became corrupted.
2. The cable that connects the drive to the board is broken.
3. Malicious software that violates the data structure.
4. Errors that occurred when reinstalling or updating the OS.
5. In the case of a flash drive, the reason for changing the format to RAW may also be a malfunction of the USB connectors.
6. Malfunctions of the PC motherboard.
7. Errors when working with Acronis Disk Director.

Format recovery

To restore NTFS format from RAW, try the following:

Restoring format using special programs

If, when you try to check the HDD using the method described above, a message appears: “CHKDSK is not valid for RAW disks,” you can use programs that allow you to restore the NTFS format from RAW. Let's look at the most popular of them.

DMDE

DMDE is a utility that looks for damaged partitions in the file system and helps restore the disk to NTFS status. After downloading and installing the program, you need to do the following:

1. Launch the application.
2. On the left, check the box next to the phrases “Physical devices” and “Show partitions”.
3. Select the damaged drive and click OK. After this, the utility will find the RAW section and indicate it with a crossed out icon. If this does not happen, perform a full scan (the corresponding button is located at the bottom of the window).
4. Now try to open the RAW volume and click “Recover” and then “Apply settings”.
5. After this, as a rule, the HDD format changes to NTFS.

DMDE program window

IMPORTANT. If you are trying to return the NTFS status to the system disk and do it from another PC, then after the operation is completed and the HDD is returned to its place old computer it will still display it in RAW format, so it is advisable to first restore the Windows bootloader.

Recuva

A simple and easy-to-use program that can fix RAW disks and flash drives. The procedure is as follows:

1. Launch the application, select “Recover all files”, mark the damaged disk and click “Start”.
2. The utility will detect files with a broken structure and correct the format to NTFS.

Piriform Recuva program window

TestDisk

The third utility that restores the disk format. Just download and run it, and then:

1. Select New, press Enter.
2. Then click on the problematic HDD, then Enter again and select Analyze and Quick Search.
3. After executing the command, select Write to restore the information structure.

TestDisk window

If all these manipulations lead to nothing, most likely the disk has mechanical damage or its components do not interact correctly and it would be more advisable to show it to a specialist.

Sometimes the file system of our drives, for certain reasons, can become damaged and become unreadable inside operating system Windows, it acquires the RAW format. Windows will not be able to open the contents of the device and will prompt you to format the card. Otherwise, if you do not confirm this offer, the system will notify you of an error every time you try to view a file.

Many users may panic if they experience this problem, but do not get upset ahead of time. Below we provide simple instructions, following which you will quickly restore not only your drive, but also all valuable data. These methods can be useful for both an SD card and any other storage device.

Using CMD to fix RAW file system
no formatting required

The classic way to restore a drive in case of any logical damage, including RAW, is to fix the problem on it using the utility chkdsk via command cmd line. Being free tool Windows for repairing disk partitions, chkdsk becomes the first way to resolve the issue with a faulty device.

Upon completion of the above two steps, CMD will fix the error on your SD card, with luck saving all the data existing on it. Unfortunately, periodically during the first recovery method you may receive an error message “File system RAW" or “CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives”. We wrote about how to deal with such an error in this article.

If a computer could be turned off like a pocket calculator, smart engineers and software developers would have realized this possibility a long time ago. Perhaps this will be the case in the future, but for now it is necessary to shut down the PC using the appropriate means of the operating system, otherwise disaster will inevitably occur. Changing the file system NTFS V RAW- just one of the troubles that can result from a sudden computer shutdown.

As a rule, a partition with such a file system is detected by Windows, but no information about the data written to it is provided, as if it doesn’t exist, and the progress bar is not displayed in Explorer. When you try to open a section, you get a message thorny error "Can't access X:/. Reading is impossible, the disk is not formatted" or something like that.

Changing the partition letter or launching the utility to check the disk from its properties is also impossible. Only formatting is possible but do not rush to do this, otherwise all your files will be deleted.

If NTFS "turns" into RAW on the system partition, when you turn on the computer, a boot error appears, most often "Operating System not found» or "Reboot and select proper boot device".

What is the RAW file system

No matter how strange it may sound, RAW just means the absence of a file system as such. More precise definition RAW is chaos, disorder of data on the disk. The error occurs when the file driver Windows systems Its type cannot be determined. There may be several reasons for this, but the most likely is damage in the main file table area MFT, boot sector , as well as incorrect logical partition geometry values ​​in the partition table. Unformatted volumes can also be of the RAW type.

Recovering RAW volumes

The success of error treatment depends on the nature and extent of damage to the data responsible for determining Windows type file system. Universal method There is no solution to the problem, but in most cases restore normal reading NTFS the built-in utility, launched with the parameter, helps /f from the command line. In other cases, specialized volume recovery programs help, for example, TestDisk.

If your user data partition has become unreadable due to the appearance of RAW, you can reconstruct it from RAW to NTFS from a running operating system.

To do this, running as administrator command line you need to run the chkdsk D: /f command and wait until the disk is fully scanned.

In case of damage system partition HDD It is advisable to connect it to another computer and check it, but you can also use any boot disk with Windows, not forgetting, however, that the partition letters in the recovery environment will be different. For example, logical drive C will have a letter D .

If the reason for the appearance of RAW is minor damage to the file table MFT, most likely, the system can be restored even after the errors are corrected by the utility it will boot normally. If to incorrect entries MFT bootloader damage will be added, it is also worth executing the following recovery commands in the console:

bootrec.exe /FixMbr
bootrec.exe /FixBoot

Note: this method boot repair may not work for computers running in UEFI.

In some cases, it may be necessary to reinstall the operating system or restore it from backup copy. Concerning user files on non-system RAW volumes, they usually remain intact and are perfectly readable after reconstruction in NTFS. However, there is a risk of accidental data corruption when reconstructing RAW with the utility or other programs are still available.

Therefore, if the data is of particular value, before you start fixing the main error, try to perform data recovery using specialized programs like R-Studio. Experience shows that they cope excellently with such tasks, restoring files even from severely damaged volumes. After this, you can simply format the problematic partition and transfer the recovered data to it.

Some users may be unable to access their hard drive(or flash drive). In the operating system, such devices receive the “Raw” status, and their file structure becomes inaccessible to the user. In this article, I will examine this dysfunction in detail, tell you what to do in a situation where the file system is RAW, as well as how to return NTFS, FAT32, what tools will help us with this, and how to use them.

To understand that this is a RAW file system and how to return the NTFS, FAT32 format, you need to determine the meaning of the term “RAW” itself. Translated from Shakespeare’s language, the lexeme “Raw” means “raw”, “raw material”. Accordingly, in our case, this term refers to disks that are either not yet formatted, or the data structure on them is damaged (errors in the MBR partition table and MFT file table, viruses, PC hardware problems, and so on.).

To put it simply, RAW discs- these are disks that are not recognized by Windows OS for various reasons. Typically, in this case, Windows recommends formatting such a disk, which should not be done, since the data on the disk will be lost as a result of formatting.

Reasons why a disk from NTFS and FAT32 becomes RAW

The reasons for the appearance of RAW disks instead of the usual NTFS and FAT32 file systems are as follows:

• Sudden shutdown of such disks (loss of voltage in the network, physical disconnection by the user, problems with the power supply, etc.), as a result of which the integrity and structure of the data on the disk is disrupted;
• Problems with cables connecting the motherboard and hard drive;
• The operation of virus programs that violate the integrity of the bootloader, partition table, file structure, and so on;
• Bad sectors on the hard drive, as a result of which the system structure on the hard drive is damaged;
• Error in installing or updating the operating system;
• Errors when working with various partition managers hard drive;
• Not a tight connection between the flash drive and the USB connector of the PC (in the case of a flash drive);
• Problems at work motherboard computer and so on.

How to return NTFS, FAT32 from RAW

• Just try restarting your computer, the problem may be random;
• Check the tightness of the cable connections to the hard drive, try using a different connector for connecting the hard drive on the motherboard, as well as a different USB connector on the computer when connecting an external flash drive;
• Use the built-in CHKDSK() utility. Launch a command prompt as administrator and type

chkdsk X: /f (where X is the RAW drive letter)

The "f" parameter means correcting errors on the disk, i.e. CHKDSK utility not only looks for problems, but also corrects them.

I will also note that this command is relevant, first of all, for those disks that were formatted in a file format NTFS system. Moreover, if you cannot boot the operating system, then boot using the bootloader system disk or flash drives (you can use various “Live CD” builds), select “System Restore” there, go to “ Extra options" and then to "Command Prompt", and there type the above command.

If you cannot access the command line from your PC, then it is recommended to connect your hard drive to another computer and check your disk for errors from it.

• Use the capabilities of another system utility, sfc, created to check integrity system files. Also run the command line as administrator and write in it:

sfc /scannow

and press enter.

• If you have access to the operating system, then it is worth checking your computer for viruses using special antivirus programs(For example, Web CureIt! or Malware-AntiMalware);
• If there is no important information on the problem disk (or it is not significant), then the problem disk (or flash drive) can be formatted. Click on the “Start” key and type diskmgmt.msc in the search bar, the Disk Control Panel will appear. Right-click on the raw disk and select “Format” from the menu that appears.

If you have a RAW file system, return NTFS, FAT32 - using third-party programs

If you want to restore the NFTS and FAT32 file system, then you should use the functionality special programs who will help us with this. I suggest programs such as Recuva and TestDisk.

Recuva

One of popular programs to recover lost files is Recuva. Download, install and run this product, select the option to restore all files, indicate the problem disk, enable the in-depth analysis option and click on “Start”.

After the scan is completed, the program will display a list of found files, mark them with checkboxes and click on “Recover”.

TestDisk

The second program that can help with the issue of the RAW file system is TestDisk.

1. Download and install this program, run it as administrator.
2. Select the “Create” command and press enter, select the raw disk with the cursor and press “Enter”.
3. After selecting the desired type of partition table, click on enter, then select “Analyze” and “Quick Search” (it will be carried out quick search problematic sections).
4. After TestDisk finds the problematic volumes, click on “Write” to record the structure of the found partition.

How to change the file system of a flash drive [video]

Above I analyzed the problem when the file system is RAW. The most optimal tool for returning NTFS, FAT32 is to use the CHKDSK system command, as well as special programs that can restore file structure problem disk. If none of the tips I offered turned out to be effective for you, then I recommend contacting service center– perhaps your hard drive has problems not of a software, but of a hardware nature, and it needs a thorough repair.

In contact with

Today, sometimes there are situations when a user turns on a laptop or computer, and instead of some logical partition, a disk with an incomprehensible RAW format is displayed. Let's try to find out what it is.

What is the RAW format?

When it comes to format of this type, then you need to clearly understand that in the usual sense it’s not even a format. RAW is a modified file system type. When trying to access such a partition, two types of problems may arise. Firstly, the volume may not appear at all in file manager. Secondly, even if the volume is visible, there are no files in it, so the system will offer immediate formatting, since the file system is not compatible with the OS. How to correct the situation in this case? You need to choose the right approach. Formatting a partition and destroying all displayed information will not lead to anything good. Why can HDD formats change?

Reasons for changing the disk format

Before proceeding to solve the problem itself, it is necessary to clarify the possible reasons changes to the section structure. Experts believe that the RAW format hard drives may appear as a result of exposure to certain viruses that purposefully modify the file system. This can happen if there is a sudden power outage while performing any operations that require direct access to the partition. After this, in some cases the disk may be visible even with the files and folders on it. But perform operations to change the volume label, format it using standard means or change the size becomes impossible. This happens because the file system changes. Fatal errors appear in the partition table. However there are several universal solutions, which allow you to fix the problem associated with the RAW format of hard drives. Next, we will look in detail at how to correct the situation.

RAW format: correction technique

Next, we will look at the main aspects that relate to correcting the situation associated with the RAW format. As has probably already become clear to you, HDD recovery As the main task, it uses a solution that allows you to bring the partition’s file system into a form that would be perceived by the operating system, namely NTFS or FAT32. It is worth noting that in most cases, even rolling back the system to a previous state will not bring desired result, so don't do it. It will be a waste of time. First, you can try to make folders and files appear. In some cases it will be possible to copy them to another location, e.g. removable media. How can you make files visible? In this case, the RAW format is processed using a rather interesting utility called Mini Tool Power Data Recovery. This program belongs to the shareware class software. After installation, the application must run a module called Lost Partition Recovery. In it you need to select the desired partition and click Full Scan. This will run a full scan. When the process is complete, the program window will display a list of all available files. All you have to do is mark the required data, and then click on the Save button. The application will automatically prompt you to select the location where you would like to save the files. Specify it and start the process. After completing this operation, you can safely begin formatting the partition. If this procedure is not available, you can immediately proceed to the next step.

System recovery

Now let's look at how you can convert RAW to NTFS using only the native tools of the Windows operating system. First of all, you need to launch the command line using the Win+R key combination. It is worth noting that hard drive recovery can only be performed in this way. Standard partition check in Windows environment will not bring results. Now it all comes down to writing the following command on the command line: chkdsk “drive letter”. Then you just need to press enter. All that remains is to wait for the process to complete, during which the file system will be restored. Then you need to reboot. It is worth noting that this method is perfect for those file systems that previously had an NTFS structure. system drives. However, when using this technique, you will need to boot your laptop or computer terminal from a recovery or boot disk.

How to fix a disk format using the TestDisk utility

Let's look at another way to fix the problem associated with the RAW format of hard drives. The TestDisk utility for restoring the original format is best suited for this purpose. Main advantage this application is that it does not require installation. The program is released as a portable version. The main disadvantage of the utility is that it does not have a Russified interface and works in DOS mode. So let's get started restoration of hard disk. First of all, at the first stage of working with the program, you need to select the Create item, which is responsible for creating a new log file. Then you should press the enter key. After this, use the arrows to select the desired partition or disk. As a result, the application will automatically detect the partition table type. You can change it manually, but this is not recommended. Next, you need to use the analysis line “Analyse”, and after that a quick search – “Quick Search”. After completing each action, you must press the Enter key. When the lost partition is found, you will need to use the Save Structure or Write option. If the desired section is not displayed in the list of search results, you need to use deep scanning. After this, it is necessary to perform all the operations just described to preserve the structure. After this, you will need to restart your laptop or computer. As a result, the problem should disappear.

Application of Ontrack Easy Recovery

Let's look at another program with which you can convert the RAW format of hard drives. This is very easy to do with Ontrack Easy Recovery. The application works similarly to the TestDisk program. However, most users this program It is attractive because it has a convenient and beautiful interface. It is worth noting that many experts believe this software an indispensable tool for recovering large disk partitions. The only drawback of this program is that it is paid. However, for our person this is not a problem. After all, on the Internet you can always find key generators, activation keys and patches.

Conclusion

What's the outcome? In this review, we looked at ways to change the RAW format of hard drives. It should already be clear to you how you can fix the RAW format to readable format. As for the choice of method, it must be based on each specific situation. Let's assume that if formatting is possible on your own, then you can display the files and simply copy them to another location. You can also try restoring the partition to initial state, using the check command, which is a built-in operating system tool. However, if the volume is large, this process can take quite a long time. On the other hand, to simplify these steps, you can use third-party utilities. Some of these utilities were discussed above. Some users may not like the DOS interface of the TestDisk program. If you do not like this method, you can use a similar application, Ontrack Easy Recovery, which has a full graphical shell. Many may argue that this method requires certain costs, but here everyone decides for himself what is more important to him: information or money...