Errors like this can have a logical or a physical cause, and repeated repair attempts can make things worse. If the files matter, see how hard drive and external drive recovery works, starting with a free diagnosis.
Have you ever tried to open a drive only to find that Windows sees it as RAW? It can be a desperate moment, and it always seems to happen when you need those files the most. But don’t worry: RAW drive recovery is far from impossible! This problem can affect many kinds of storage: USB flash drives, memory cards, SD cards, external hard drives and, a little less often, internal drives. The approach is very similar in all these cases, and we explain it in detail below. But first, let’s look at what it actually means when a drive becomes RAW.
What is a RAW drive?
A RAW drive is one without a valid file system (such as NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ext3 or ext4) that the operating system can read. In other words, Windows can’t tell what is on it: the file system may be corrupted, the partition information may be damaged, or the drive may simply use a file system Windows doesn’t support. So don’t despair — in most cases the files are still there and there are ways to recover them. And don’t confuse a RAW drive with other things that share the name. RAW data and RAW files are something else entirely: there, RAW refers to data that hasn’t been processed or compressed. The RAW photo format used by cameras, for example, stores images in their “rawest” form.
What makes a drive RAW?
Now that you know what a RAW drive is, you’re probably wondering how and why it happens. There are many possible causes, and you won’t always be able to pinpoint the exact one. But here are the most common explanations, which may also help you avoid the problem in the future.
Physical problems
Power cuts or power surges can shut your device down abruptly and damage the drive or its file system. Other physical problems, such as faulty cables, loose connections or bad sectors, can also make a drive appear as RAW. Many of these problems are easy to avoid, so handle your drives with care.
Software problems
Viruses and malware that corrupt the file system, damage to the partition table and operating system or file system errors are some of the software problems that can turn a drive RAW.
Improper use
Unplugging the drive without safely ejecting it while files are still being written is a typical example of improper use that can corrupt the file system. So is connecting several drives to a USB port or hub that can’t supply enough power for all of them.
How can I tell if a drive is RAW?
When your drive stops working or becomes inaccessible, how do you know whether it’s because it has become RAW? Here are the signs to look out for.
The file system is shown as “RAW”
In Disk Management, the drive’s file system is listed as RAW.
“Invalid media type reading drive”
When you try to access the drive, you get a message such as “Invalid media type reading drive X”.
“You need to format the disk before you can use it”
When you open the drive, Windows shows the message “You need to format the disk in drive X: before you can use it. Do you want to format it?” or something similar asking you to format the drive. Click “Cancel”: formatting would erase the data.
File names with strange characters
This one is almost self-explanatory. Files with odd names full of random characters that appear out of nowhere can be a sign of a RAW drive.
“Sector not found” message
Messages such as “sector not found”, “sector not found reading drive X; Abort, Retry, Ignore” or similar can also indicate a RAW drive — and often physical damage, in which case you should stop using it.
CHKDSK doesn’t work
When you try to run CHKDSK to repair the drive, you get the message “The type of the file system is RAW. CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.” This confirms that the drive is RAW and that CHKDSK can’t be used on it.
How do I recover a RAW drive?
Now that you know what a RAW drive is and how to recognize one, it’s easier to deal with the problem. The golden rule is to get the files off the drive before trying any repair. Some solutions don’t involve formatting, but you may need professional help. With Bot, your RAW drive is handled safely, with the best chances of getting your files back. Read the step-by-step guide below and, if you have any doubts, get in touch and start the recovery process. And in the future, remember to back up your files regularly.
How to fix a RAW external hard drive without formatting
Fixing a RAW drive without formatting is the simplest option, but whether it works depends on the drive’s condition. If the drive shows up as RAW but still has a drive letter (X:, for example), you can try the steps below — ideally only once you have copied or recovered the important files, because CHKDSK writes to the drive.
1 – Connect the drive to the computer
First, connect the drive to your computer. Make sure there are no signs of physical problems, such as strange noises, damaged cables or loose connectors. If the drive is clicking or making unusual noises, stop here and don’t try any repair.
2 – Open Command Prompt
Type “cmd” in the Windows search box, right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator”. If a permission prompt appears, click “Yes”.
3 – Type “chkdsk X: /f”
Type chkdsk X: /f, replacing X with the letter of the RAW drive. If Windows replies that CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives, don’t try to force a repair — move on to recovering the files.
4 – Check whether the drive has been repaired
When the process is finished, check whether it worked. Right-click “This PC” (or “Computer”) in File Explorer and choose “Manage”. In the “Computer Management” window, go to “Storage” > “Disk Management” in the left-hand menu. If the drive’s file system is no longer shown as RAW, the problem is fixed. If it still says RAW, move on to the next options.
Recover the files and then convert the RAW drive to NTFS
If CHKDSK doesn’t solve the problem, the drive has to be formatted with a readable file system, such as NTFS, the most common one in Windows. Formatting erases the data, so the order is essential: first recover the files, then format.
Recover the files with recovery software
Before formatting, use data recovery software to copy your files to another drive — never to the RAW drive itself. Some options are EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Stellar Data Recovery, Wondershare Recoverit and Recuva. If the drive has physical problems, skip this step and go straight to a professional.
Format the drive with DiskPart
Only once your files are safe on another drive, open the Windows search box, type “cmd”, right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator”. Type diskpart and press Enter. Then type list volume, press Enter and select the RAW volume with select volume X, replacing X with its number. Check carefully that you have selected the right volume, because the next command erases it: type format fs=ntfs quick and press Enter. Windows will format the drive as NTFS, and it will be usable again — empty.
How do I recover files from a RAW drive?
If you haven’t managed to fix the drive or don’t feel confident doing it yourself, don’t panic. You can still recover the files from a RAW drive with professional help. The process can be complex, but it’s routine work for specialists.
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Conclusion
Bot is a company specializing in data recovery that can help you get back the files on your RAW drive, so you can then format it without worrying. We have more than two decades of experience, more than 200,000 cases and a 96% success rate.
Get in touch and find out how we can help you recover your RAW drive!
