I can't see the files on my external hard drive?

Question

I have tried in different computers and is still the same, I can only see one single movie that is in my external hard drive, but all the rest, movies, music, etc. Is not at sight
When I plug it in a pc I can see how it install itself and I can see all the listing of my files in it being displayed as it installs
When I go to my computer folder, in properties I can see that the external hard drive is still at the same capacity and with the same amount of GB being used vs free space
What can the problem be? How can I fix this?

Answer 1

You should think about using a 'reference' operating system to be sure. I have Ubuntu, and when something looks strange, I boot the CD. For this problem, I would install TESTDISK - this can scan your hard disk to find files independent of partitioning, also it will try to find partitions on the disk (so even if the disk is unmountable and shows NO partitions, you can recover files).

Answer 2

You might also consider the performance implications of installing programs on an external drive. Access to that external drive will be significantly slower than access to the internal drive. The internal drive is plugged right into the motherboard's buss. That's good! When a program is executing, only the active portion is in memory. Everytime the active portion changes, a different part of the program has to be loaded into memory from the hard drive. If the hard drive is external, everything could slow down. External drives are best suited for data storage.

Answer 3

Its because of the LOCATION you are attempting to ACCESS-from..most times its a EDITING-program that asks for the FILE-TYPE..you choose the File TYPE...or...ALL FILES..to have FILES...appear in the OPEN FILES..Window[tm]..Click...OPEN...or OK....and the File OPENS "inside" a Graphic Interface--like a Audio Editor or a Video Editor..

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The other situation is THUMBNAILS..

If you created Programs(Files)..useing a software program..and NOW...you removed the software..but kept the FILES..you may need to reload the software---too access the FILES..

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There are also TAGS...

..and Vista has a Recently SAVED(CHANGED)OPENED Folder..if you DELETE the Folders or Files..you may loose the original file(still trying to comprehend that one)..[end]

Answer 4

Try this.., (windows only)



Go to 'My Computer' then click the 'tools' in the upper tab of the window.., click 'folder options'..,



then go to 'view' tab.., click the 'radio button' that says show hidden file and folder, and unchecked the ' hide extension folder ' and ' hide O.S. files'... --> APPLY --> Ok.



..,\m/

Answer 5

maybe it is due to the fact that the pc's don't have the software that will recognize the files/types. you need the software loaded on the pc that created the files or you won't be able to use/view them

Answer 6

You may use external hard drive data recovery program

http://www.asoftech.com/articles/External-Drive-Data-Recovery.html



hope this helps.