Read this article to find out why a disk turns into RAW, how you can convert it into NTFS. How to restore access to a RAW disk, and how to restore information from such a disk. Is the disk file system identified as RAW? Would you like to restore the NTFS partition after a loss of data? Do you have problems with formatting a disk into NTFS file system? Are you looking for an app to change RAW into NTFS? You will find answers to these and other questions in our article.
It may become a desperate and frightful experience to open a disk and find some empty unallocated space instead of your data – most users tend to believe all their information is lost forever. Such situation is very unpleasant but not at all critical. All the data in such storage device is still there but the system cannot identify the disk internal structure and give you access to the data. However, you can fix the file system format (shown as RAW) and bring it back to the original condition, and thus get your data back. In this article, we will consider the main seven causes behind this problem and offer you several methods to solve the issue.
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What is RAW by Itself
Before we move on to describing the causes that make your storage device turn into RAW format and looking for possible ways out, let’s try to explain the situation in detail.
The notion of RAW is meant to indicate a file system of a volume that cannot be identified (a volume is a part of the computer’s long-term memory considered as a single unified storage area, for convenience of use).
Every volume or storage space have a specific file system representing a certain order and determining a special way to organize, store and indicate data on storage devices within computers and other electronic gadgets.
The core has a built-in system component RAWFS, its main function being to notify any applications about the volume size and the version of the file system if they send a corresponding request. When it’s impossible to identify the file system, the indication RAW appears. In other words, it means the that name of the file system in a disk partition cannot be recognized for some reason by any of the file system drivers installed and available in Windows operating system.
In practice, it suggests that the partition is not formatted in a certain format, the file system structure is damaged, or there is a cause that makes the internal contents of the partition (disk) inaccessible. Further on, we will list the main reasons why some partitions turn into RAW.
The Seven Main Causes Why RAW Happens
There are many symptoms of a hard disk partition becoming of RAW format. As we have already described in the previous part of the article, there can be very different causes to make it impossible to recognize the disk file system name. Additionally, the operating system may require that you perform certain actions before you can use the partition of the disk where the file system is shown as RAW. For example, the Windows operating system shows an error warning and suggests to perform the following action: You need to format the disk in Drive … before you can use it. Do you want to format it? In this case, you won’t be able to get access to the disk partition and all the information there until you comply with the operating system requirements.
In such a situation, formatting the partition can help you get rid of the RAW format problem. However, this process will destroy all the data stored in such a partition. That’s why we suggest that you get acquainted with the main causes of the problem and useful advice on eliminating them without losing data.
Note: Sometimes a disk or other storage media is shown in the RAW format if their file system is not supported by the current version of the operating system installed on your computer. In this case, you should take some action to open the storage device in the operating system it was originally intended for and which supports the use of such file system.
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Below, there are seven possible causes – and some solutions available for each one.
1. Bad Sectors
if there are bad sectors (or blocks) in the key areas of a hard disk, such disk will definitely never work properly, which can damage the file system and make it appear as RAW.
2. Damaged file system structure
The main underlying cause of errors and disk partitions or entire disks to appear as RAW is connected with the reliability of the file system which can be undermined for a number of causes besides bad sectors. Therefore, if the file system contains internal structural damage, a partition may acquire the RAW format.
3. Damaged Partition Table
The next – and no less important – cause of RAW format problems in a disk partition is probably a damaged partition table. For example, wrong values in the MBR table which contains data and a code fragment as well as special signatures required for proper booting of the operating system can also cause this problem.
4. Reinstallation of the Windows Operating System
When you update the old operating system to its newer version, the file system of the system partition can also be changed into the new version of the file system (for example, it may change from FAT to NTFS). In this case, the file system may not be identified by the new operating system properly, and as a result it will be displayed as RAW.
5. Virus and Malware Attacks
One of the most widespread causes to make a disk partition appear as belonging to RAW file system is aggressive actions by viruses or other malware. Their malicious attack can damage a part of the partition table which indicates the beginning and the end of the partition and contains other additional data, or change / delete important settings of the hard disk. As a result, it will be impossible to determine the boundaries of the damaged partition and its file system, and it will make the disk partition attacked by malware be displayed as RAW when it is addressed by the computer.
6. Damaged Cables or Connectors
Sometimes, a hard disk or storage device can be displayed as an unidentified RAW file system when the connecting cable is damaged, or there is poor contact in the connector.
Usually the hard disk cable is the last thing to get out of order, but you should not forget it could be one of the possible causes to make the system identify the disk as RAW. It is especially relevant when there was a power surge or there is a chance of other mechanical damage. Most of the time, there can be problems with the connector used for the hard disk that gets damaged if the disk is connected and disconnected very frequently, or if the connector has a poor contact insufficient for proper display and operation of the data storage device.
7. Wrong Drive Access Permissions
One of the possible causes for a partition to acquire the RAW format can be wrongly configured access settings which are directly connected to local security policy settings. As a result, the operating system may restrict your access to a partition and display it as an area with an unidentified file system.
Methods to Restore Access to a RAW Disk
Depending on the causes that made a partition or the entire disk be displayed in the RAW format, you will have to follow a certain procedure to fix the problem. The actions described below should be taken one by one until the wrongly displayed disk issue is solved. After each step, check if the problem is eliminated, and go on to the next stage if the result is still negative.
1. Check the Condition of Cables or Connectors
If there was a power surge, you should check cables and connectors for possible damage. Replace the damaged cable with a good one and check the disk again. Otherwise, connect the drive to another connector which you know is in a good working condition and try again. These actions may be enough to solve the problem.
2. Modify Security Settings in Partition Properties
From the viewpoint of configuring partition access permissions, you can modify the necessary security settings in the partition properties window. Open the File Explorer and find your RAW format partition or disk. Right-click on it and open the context menu; from the list of actions, select Properties.
In the new window, switch to the tab Security where you can remove unnecessary users and any junk codes, and add a local user to restore access to the disk.
3. Modify Security Settings in Partition Properties
If for some reason you can’t allow access to the required partition, you can modify security settings with the integrated tool of the operating system – Local Security Policy. You can open its window in several ways. For example, click on the Start button in the lower left corner of your desktop, on the Taskbar, and open the main Windows menu. Drag the slider down until you find the line Windows Administrative Tools. Click on it once and open the context menu. From the list of system elements, select Local Security Policy.
In the window that opens, look at the left panel and select Local Policies, and in the right panel, double-click on Security Options, or right-click on it and choose Open in the context menu.
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