XP does not recognize my 2.5' external hard drive

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › XP does not recognize my 2.5" external hard drive

nzldude

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#16522 13-Oct-2007 17:37

Hi there, i know that there are a few forums about this subject but none of them seemed to help my problem.

I have recently purchased a 120GB 2.5" external hard drive off trademe, and works successfully on our desktop computer, however does not recognize with my laptop. I managed to get it going twice on my laptop by shutting it off, plugging it in while its off and booting it up. However it doesn't not seem to work anymore. The hard drive has 2 plugs, one for additional power, i have read that if you plug that one in first, then the master cable it should work. but it doesnt!!! Ive tried all the USB ports. All of which have usb 2.0, my laptop is fully updated and everything.
Everytime a plug it in, the disk spins, the light comes on, and a pop up comes up saying "USB Device Not Recognized"........
Even when i shut my laptop off, disconnect the external drive. Plug in back in while its off, and boot it up. I just says there is nothing plugged in!!!! ive tried to shut it off, boot it up without it plugged in. Plug the power cable in first, then the master cable. And again "USB Device Not Recognized"....... My dad is also having the same problem with his laptop...
Im stumped for ideas :(
I know its either to do with the power being to low..... (but thats what the second cable is for), or that its to do with the computer management or something.......
Help would be much appreciated!

Cheers Gareth

paradoxsm

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#90936 13-Oct-2007 18:29

I have had nothing but trouble with these things. I have two in front of me that I just cannot use and have fiddles all weekend with them.
I suggest you get one that uses an external power wart to power the hard drive inside and make sure you can return it or try it out first. I'd say it's just the current the laptop is limiting or some undervoltage quirk.

allstarnz

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#90963 14-Oct-2007 00:00

if you go into Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Storage, is it recognised in there?

nzldude

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#90987 14-Oct-2007 14:09

nope. very frustrating.....

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#91002 14-Oct-2007 17:01

Are there any other USB devices and are they working? Can you rule out a faulty USB on your laptop?

Geese

1028 posts

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#92100 23-Oct-2007 18:25

I initially had a problem with my external HDD, it did same thing you describe, and all along it was the extension cable I was using (it was only a short one).

I looked forever and ever in forums before I discovered it, and I saw 1 lonesome post that said that USB cables come in different classes like network cables, it turned out the usb cable was usb 1.1, and although it worked with mp3 players etc, it refused to let the hdd go. So after replacing it with a usb 2 cable (or not using a cable at all.) it worked!

tonyhughes

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#92104 23-Oct-2007 18:59

Unscientifically I declare that its probably a current issue.

I vote with a previous comment about getting an externally powered unit, or a name brand USB powered drive, rather than a no-name cheap external hard drive case.

Fraktul

836 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#92110 23-Oct-2007 19:21

Its reasonably well known that some manufacturers have not kept to the USB specs on voltage and current supply which results in portable 2.5" hard drives having issues with undervoltage.

Some drives will have a second USB cable to try rectify this however if the ports are drawing supply from the same line then this rarely solves anything. Perhaps try plugging one cable in the front/side ports and the second cable in the back ports - they may be on a seperate line for power.

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nzldude

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#92444 25-Oct-2007 19:21

thanks for all the replies guys. i still have not found a solution yet. been a bit busy with uni exams etc. will keep u posted if i find a solution.
cheers

cyntrax

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#93995 6-Nov-2007 18:42

Hi I had the same problem and solved it like this assuming that you are running windows xp

With your external casing powered-up (it does not get power through USB does it?) and your WinXP PC running, plug in the USB.
You should hear 'chime', what happens then?
If harddisk is recognised here, but does NOT have a drive-letter and cannot be seen in Windows Explorer, the answer is in Windows Disk Management...

Go Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management. ( on left column)

Maximize this page. Physical Drives appear at the bottom; Logical Drives at the top.

Hopefully your drive will appear at the bottom (physically), you must then 'import' it into the Windows installation; Windows will put its 'signature' on the drive and assign it a logical drive letter :^)

you can try to format it here if it is new and has no info on it , check back to My computer and see if present

This should help. please let me know if it worked for you
All the best
Cyn