I can't format or access my External HD

Solution 1:

Analyze the problem according to this link

Can't format my usb drive. I have already tried with mkdosfs and gparted - 'Analysis of the problem'

and you will probably find a solution. The hardware of an HDD should survive a power failure, even if the partition table and or file system can be damaged and cause confusion.

First try the following

• Disconnect other USB devices. Sometimes USB devices can disturb the function for each other.
• Test with other USB ports.
• Connect separate power supply for the HDD, if available.

Install mkusb in your Ubuntu system and

• 'restore to a Standard storage device' (if you are happy with a FAT32 system)

• 'Wipe the first mibibyte' of the device,

  and then use gparted to create a partition table and one or more partitions with the file systems you want. If you need no compatibility with Windows or MacOS, ext4 is a good file system.