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External Hard Disk problem

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by melina_soemanto_putri

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External Hard Disk Problem
I just bought an external hard disk yesterday (My External Hard Disk is Plug and Play type and it power up automatically when connected to a Computer). But,now I have a problem with taht external hard disk in my PC.

The problem is:

1.Sometimes it is not detected or Took a very long time to be detected. Sometimes, it asking me to install a new hardware (but it is plug and play type) but a normal USB/Flashdisk works fine.
2.If it is detected, sometimes it is

a.Disconnected when copying a file/folder and connected again. When I'm trying to delete the file/folder that I was disconnected when copying, the external hard disk automatically disconnected.

b.Constantly changing between disconnected and connected.

c.If I check "Show hidden files and folder", the external hard disk disconnect automatically at root (example E:/).

When I'm running a CHKDSK on it, it shows a file that is completely unreadable, but in my laptop it doesn't show that file or any file that completely unreadable.

I'm using Windows XP SP2.I'm using the same USB port that could recognize it yesterday and this afternoon. I had a problem that my external hard disk automatically disconnect yesterday and this afternoon too.

Btw,it is night in my country right now.

This problem happening this night and now it's getting worse. I just bought it yesterday.

I just tested it in my laptop about 1 hours ago and it worked fine (my laptop OS is same as my PC). After testing in my laptop, I try plug it into my PC but it won't detected at all.

The problem only happens in my PC not my laptop.

What should I do? Please help.

5 replies

by older mycroft

Now, some more information might help us:

What is the make and model of your PC ?
What is the make and model of your laptop ?
What is the make and model and capacity of the external hard drive ?

Does this hard drive have a socket for an external power supply ?
Is the USB in your PC the same as the USB in your laptop ? (1.1 / 2.0)

Do you happen to have power supply variations in Jakarta at night ?

by melina_soemanto_putri

Model of the external hard drive is:
WDElements 160GB USB2.0 Plug an Play

This hard drive doesn't have a socket for external power supply.

I used a stablilizer to power up my PC.

It was working two days ago(not really fine,though) sometimes I get auto disconnected in middle of copying file.

But now,most of time the external hard disk doesn't detected.Even it is detected, I get a problem like I post before.

I'm using the same USB port as two days ago.

by oh smeg

Your NB is incapable of supplying the required power to keep this drive running. After few days the drive could have had it's Partition Table corrupted with the constant Drop Outs so it's no longer appearing in the My Computer Section of Windows.

As WD doesn't use a Y USB Cable with 2 USB Plugs on it you or have a socket for the External Power you only have one option you need a Powered USB Hub to go between the NB and Drive one like this will do

http://tinyurl.com/44rcd8

You'll need to plug the Power Supply for this Powered USB Hub to the same side of whatever it is you are using to Filter the Mains as your Computer or it is possible that any interference on the Mains will be sent back to the computer or External HDD causing problems.

The drive may have worked previously till with the constant power downs the Partitions Tables where corrupted. This is a certain Sign of insufficient Power being available to drive the External Drive. When you get a Powered USB Hub you'll need to go to the Drive Manager and Format the Drive so it again appears in the Windows Explorer or My Computer whichever you prefer to use.

Col

by aries

Check out the following:
1. Confirm that your hardisk is USB 2.0 compliant.
2. If it is then confirm that you have USB
2.0 on your PC.
I think that your PC USB ports are not 2.0 compliant.
Try adding USB 2.0 ports to your pc by installing PCI Card of USB 2.0.

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