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Windows Cant detect external HDD

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7 replies

by secretman_z

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Hey there ,
I just bought an external samsung 120GB 2.5" HDD which worked perfectly on my laptop ,But when i tried to connect it to the home pc " kinda old one with p3 ,usb 1.0 windows xp sp2 which i only use it for downloading stuff " it didnt work ,although i got a USB 2.0 PCI Card cause its really slow on usb 1.0 .the thing is i can see the green usb arrow near the clock ,but no drive letter or anythin on my computer ,n when i try to open disk manager i cant unless i unattach the HDD .ive tried puttin the 2 usbs at the same time but still nothin .
Please help me !!!
Thank You

7 replies

by computercookie

other than that i can only think of a power issue. Does this drive have it's own power supply?

by secretman_z

I reinstalled them ,and tried to use my 2gb Flashdisk and it worked .The external HDD comes with a usb that has 2 ends ,i tried to put them both but still nothing . i tried it on my laptop n it worked

by oh smeg

I would guess that you need to fit a External Power Adapter to the Drive. It's most likely that the Desktop isn't supplying enough power through the USB Ports to run the drive. If you have a Powered USB Hub try plugging into that with both USB Connectors in different sockets. If you don't have a Powered USB Hub try connecting directly to a USB Socket on the M'Boards not on a Fly Lead from the M'Board and see if it works now. This also applies to the PCI to USB Card that you have as there is a limited Current that a PCI Slot can draw so connect directly to the M'Board with a USB 1 Socket and see if it works.

If you have low Current and continue to attempt to force the drive to work you run the risk of doing damage to the unit and loosing Data.

Col

by kim_forbes

that are plugged into your USB ports on your computer.

It may be a power issue.

also, is there anything on the drive itself?

What system is your Desktop? WinXP with SP2 should have no issues with plug-and-play drives, and in most cases use USB drives

Good luck mate

by computercookie

he would not supply a non-powered USB caddy with a hard drive over 80GB, you will eventually wreck the USB on your laptop.

There is not enough power available in Desktop.

I've seen these type of questions many times before!

by secretman_z

I returned the card for the supplier and apparently there is smthin wrong with it ,he will bring me another one tomorrow ,i ll tell u if it works .
Thz alot for ur help guys :D

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