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External Hard Drive not recognized by PC
I have just bought a 500 GB External Hard Drive.When I connect it to the USB Port on my desktop the drive is not recognized,but when I connect a 4 GB Pen Drive to the same port it is recognized and and the drive opens.How should I reslove this problem.Kindly help.
19th Dec
Answers (4)
0
Votes
What OS are you using?
.
19th Dec
Replies
The OS I use is Win XP Pro SP3.
Sorry I forgot to mention this in my original question.
Sorry I forgot to mention this in my original question.
kskelkar@...
20th Dec
0
Votes
Questions
As Darryl said, what is your O.S?
Also, have you tried it on another USB port or other computer?
Is it a 3.0 usb drive or a 2.0? does your computer support 3.0?
Also, have you tried it on another USB port or other computer?
Is it a 3.0 usb drive or a 2.0? does your computer support 3.0?
20th Dec
Replies
The OS I use is Win XP Pro SP3.
Sorry I forgot to mention this in my original question.
Yes,Sir.I Have tried it on another port and also on another computer with the same result.It is a 2.0 USB drive.
Sorry I forgot to mention this in my original question.
Yes,Sir.I Have tried it on another port and also on another computer with the same result.It is a 2.0 USB drive.
kskelkar@...
20th Dec
2
Votes
So when you bought the drive what did it say on it's Packet?
If it's designed for a Mac then you have to Format the Drive so that Windows can read it.
If it was sold blank you have to Format it so that Windows can use it.
To see if the drive is actually appearing in XP you need to look at Drive Management where you can prepare and Format the drive if it's Blank or formatted to a Partition Type unreadable by Windows.
Also does the Drive come with a Y USB Cable? If it does both USB Plugs need to be plugged into USB Ports on the Computer. The Y Lead has 2 USB Plugs that plug into the Computers USB Ports one is only to provide Power and the other is a Power & Data Plug. You need the Power from 2 USB Ports to run the drive if it comes with a Y USB Lead and of course you need the Data Plug Plugged into the computer for the drive to be recognized as apposed to just running.
Col
If it was sold blank you have to Format it so that Windows can use it.
To see if the drive is actually appearing in XP you need to look at Drive Management where you can prepare and Format the drive if it's Blank or formatted to a Partition Type unreadable by Windows.
Also does the Drive come with a Y USB Cable? If it does both USB Plugs need to be plugged into USB Ports on the Computer. The Y Lead has 2 USB Plugs that plug into the Computers USB Ports one is only to provide Power and the other is a Power & Data Plug. You need the Power from 2 USB Ports to run the drive if it comes with a Y USB Lead and of course you need the Data Plug Plugged into the computer for the drive to be recognized as apposed to just running.
Col
20th Dec
Replies
Ditto on this. I have an external drive for my HP. It's one of their pocket drives that slides into a tray on the PC. But it has the Y cable for use when I use it elsewhere. Typically I don't need to use both plugs, but there have been times that I have had to plug both of them in.
Try this and then look in Drive Management to see if it's there, just like Col said.
Try this and then look in Drive Management to see if it's there, just like Col said.
gclifton_BANNED1234567891
21st Dec
I have very basic knowledge of computers.So I checked with a firm who repair computers and solve comp.problems.I was told that the external drive cannot be formatted unless it is recognized and seen.
It does NOT have a Y cable.It is only a single cable.
I have also tried Explorer>My Comp>Manage>Disk Management.
The External Drive does not show up there.
It does NOT have a Y cable.It is only a single cable.
I have also tried Explorer>My Comp>Manage>Disk Management.
The External Drive does not show up there.
kskelkar@...
22nd Dec
If the drive isn't showing up in Drive Management and works on another computer then your only option is that your computer doesn't produce the Standard 500 Milliwatts at the USB Port.
The only way around this is to use a Powered USB Hub or maybe if this is a Business System it is locked down to prevent any USB Devices outside some Basic things like USB Printers and so on from being used.
If it's a domestic system you could look at the BIOS as a possibility but I have not seen that for a very long time now I last saw USB Disabled in the BIOS back in the Win 98 Days.
The system not producing the Standard Power at the USB Port is a far more likely thing unless it's a Business System that has been properly Locked down.
Col
The only way around this is to use a Powered USB Hub or maybe if this is a Business System it is locked down to prevent any USB Devices outside some Basic things like USB Printers and so on from being used.
If it's a domestic system you could look at the BIOS as a possibility but I have not seen that for a very long time now I last saw USB Disabled in the BIOS back in the Win 98 Days.
The system not producing the Standard Power at the USB Port is a far more likely thing unless it's a Business System that has been properly Locked down.
Col
OH Smeg
23rd Dec
0
Votes
Drive management ...
open windows explorer, right click on "my computer" and select manage, look for drive manage, and check to see if the external drive is found. If the drive is there, change the drive letter for the device - say it is originally E: or F:, change it to R: , or some other letter down the list, and apply. From XP on - including Win 7, if a networked drive has been shared or mapped, and you plug in an external drive, windows still tries to shoe-horn it in to the logical drive sequence, and it will conflict with the mapped drive letter making the external drive invisible - - that is until you re-allocate its available drive letter to something away from the first available logical ones for that external drive.
... another thought , XP - SP3 had problems with USB devices .
Whatever M$ did between SP2 & SP3 it caused grief with using some external devices ...
Just have to see if Drive Management sees the device and if so - as above try changing its logical drive letter ... ... ...
... another thought , XP - SP3 had problems with USB devices .
Whatever M$ did between SP2 & SP3 it caused grief with using some external devices ...
Just have to see if Drive Management sees the device and if so - as above try changing its logical drive letter ... ... ...
Updated - 21st Dec
Replies
I have tried Explorer>My Comp>Manage>Disk Management.
The External Drive does not show up there.
Perhaps the External Drive is faulty and I may have to return it to the suppliers for repairs/replacement as it is only a few days that I got it,and it is within the warranty.But returning it is a big hassle,and I do not know when I will get it back, and I would like to try all options to resolve the problem before I return it.
I would like to thank all those who have replied so far
The External Drive does not show up there.
Perhaps the External Drive is faulty and I may have to return it to the suppliers for repairs/replacement as it is only a few days that I got it,and it is within the warranty.But returning it is a big hassle,and I do not know when I will get it back, and I would like to try all options to resolve the problem before I return it.
I would like to thank all those who have replied so far
kskelkar@...
22nd Dec
