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Maxell external HDD fails to function.

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Tags: Hardware

I have used a Maxell HDD to back up my Windows 10 system many times but today it failed to open, or appear in Windows Explorer. I was able to locate the hardware in Device Manager where the USB Storage Device is shown with an exclamation mark in a yellow triangle and its Properties given as “Compatible USB Storage Device, Location: Port_#0007_#0004.”
The Device status is given as “Windows cannot load the device driver because a previous instance of the device driver is still in the memory (Code38) The driver could not be loaded because a previous version of the driver is still in memory”
The Device File Details are given as C:WINDOWS\system32\drivers\USBSTOR.SYS
I am looking for advice as to how to proceed in order to bring the HDD back into use, hopefully to continue to use it as my System Backup drive.
Thank you for considering this problem.

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Given the age, replace it.

In reply to Maxell external HDD fails to function.

This shipped in 2004 and while you could try to erase and format the drive is quite old and not to be relied on.

If it doesn’t show in the usual drives due to some USB error another common failure is the case+electronics+cable. Until recently you could put the drive inside this case into a new case if you want to attempt to keep using the drive. But that’s 20 bucks that could go to a new USB drive.

PS. Be sure to test this drive on other PCs.

In reply to Given the age, replace it.

As to the code 38 failure we know Microsoft error messages are misleading at times and since the USB driver noted hasn’t been updated in what looks like a decade I’d test this drive on another PC first to help decide what direction to take.

Also, be sure to restart Windows completely. Example: To completely flush memory on power down press and hold the shift key down while clicking on SHUT DOWN.

Reply To: Maxell external HDD fails to function.

In reply to PS. Be sure to test this drive on other PCs.

That’s cracked it, rproffitt!
I had tried re-booting the PC with Restart, but I was not aware of the “hold the Shift Key” tip. When I used that with Shut Down I found that the problem was resolved.
You saved me the cost of a new External HDD!
Many thanks.

Re: external disk

In reply to Maxell external HDD fails to function.

First turn off your Windows 10 system and boot again. If it works now, it’s solved.

If it doesn’t work try this external hard disk on any other device with Windows 10. If it fails there also, it’s time for a new hard disk. If it works fine there, it’s something strange in your PC. Probably another hard disk will fail also, but it’s worth a try.

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