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External USB HD with Windows

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by wjstz

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Tried several units (presently using CP Technologies Platinum Series). Problem remains. Windows XP Pro sees the HD. Windows 98SE does not either through My Computer or Windows Explorer. However 98Se will see the HD in DOS. The HD is formatted FAT32, not NTFS. Manufacturer says unit is backward compatible with USB 1.1. Maybe I have version 1. Can't tell. Any suggestions?

5 replies

by geobeck

Did the HD come with a driver CD? IIRC, Win98 won't recognize most USB devices without installing a driver. Check the HD manufacturer's website.

by wjstz

Yes, it did come with a disk but there are no exe files to run anything. I wrote to the manufacturer but nothing back yet. Thanks

by geobeck

You may have to install the driver manually. I can't remember a lot about Win98, but go into the Control Panel, Add or Remove Hardware, and follow the prompts. When it asks you where to search for the driver, point to the CD and navigate the subfolders until you find the right file, which should be something like "win98.inf".

by wjstz

I tried all your suggestions, even tried another USB external HD enclosure and was unable to get 98SE to see it. Both manufacturers of these two units were baffled too. Must be the computer. Strange that I was able to see the USB unit through DOS though.
Anyway, it will be easier to upgrade the computer to Windows XP
Thanks for our help.

by kevin dubya

hi there,

from memory and experience - the OS needs to recognise the USB as a new hardware device and furthermore the USB drivers need to load for the hardware, some drives (disks) are notorious for power requirements...is your PC USB bus 1.1 or 2.0 - do you have any further USB devices attached..you'll probably need to load drivers for 98 to "see" the disk properly as mentioned above. Whats showing in device manager...and do you get a sys tray icon at all?
If you have nore info I am willing to see if I can shed any light...spent a while with usb devices over 95/98/NT and 2000 / XP

and yes before someone mentions USB not supported on those platforms I know...proprietary stacks loaded to emulate support....for migration projects...

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