Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: frog on March 08, 2007, 06:04:58 PM

Title: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 08, 2007, 06:04:58 PM
Greetings to the Group - While copying files from the pc to the external hd, the power went out.  Since then, the pc won't recognize the USB external hd, even though the USB works other applications fine.  And it doesn't make any difference which port I use for the external hd, the pc won't find it.  I ran the diskmgmt.msc program and it doesn't find the hd either.  All I get is the little icon by the clock to "safely remove hardware".  When the hd is on, the system won't run other applications, like a brower, the RUN program, Control Panel etc.  What happened and how can I fix this?  All help is appreciated.

Frog
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: GX1_Man on March 08, 2007, 07:49:07 PM
When this happens, it is the same as just "pulling the plug" rather than proper shutting down of the external drive.

Try the drive on another computer and see if can be accessed and then post back with your findings.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 08, 2007, 08:17:48 PM
I already did that, as I also use the hd with my laptop.  The same problem with either computer.  Just not recognized at all.  If I remember right, the laptop locked up when trying to access the hd, compared to with the pc some of the applications will not open up.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: GX1_Man on March 09, 2007, 03:08:11 AM
If the drive is not recognized by more than one computer it indicates the drive itself has been damaged. Is it still under warranty by chance?
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 09, 2007, 05:01:47 AM
No on the waranty.  
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: GX1_Man on March 09, 2007, 01:11:21 PM
Then see above. Sorry.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: patio on March 09, 2007, 01:19:42 PM
The last hope for data retrieval on that HDD would be to remove it from the enclosure and hook it up on an IDE cable as a slave...

I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: GX1_Man on March 09, 2007, 02:38:19 PM
<drum roll>
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 09, 2007, 03:32:52 PM
I need some help in your explanation on hooking up the hd as a slave,  Are you just saying to take it out of the case, but then what?  How do I hook it up as a slave?  I didn't understand the process from Patio.  IDE slave, what and how?  Sorry guys, but I'm not very adept at the hardware level, any level for that matter.

Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: patio on March 09, 2007, 05:19:03 PM
No problem...
Hook it up to one of the ribbon cables inside your PC.
The jumper settings should be printed on the HDD if not visit the manuf. website for details.
It involves moving  a little 2 prong pin on the HDD.
Let us know if you need further assistance...
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 11, 2007, 01:05:10 AM
OK Patio, tell me about the jumper settings.  What are they for and what do I need to do with them?  I already hooked up the hd as a slave (I guess) with the extra hd plug I have for a second hd but not using.  I hooked up a ribbon cable and the power plug but the system wouldn't finish booting up.  
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: patio on March 11, 2007, 10:17:52 AM
Is this a working machine ? ?
Don't pull out the existing HDD as you will have nothing to boot to.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 11, 2007, 04:55:05 PM
Yes, this is a working pc.  I am only trying to hook up the hd from my external case as a slave to the regular hd, as suggested by this groupto check it out as it's not recognized through the USB.  It's the jumper setting I don't know what to do.  I already hooked it up but the pc wouldn't boot probably due to the jumper setting, I guess.  But the pc works fine.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: WillyW on March 11, 2007, 06:10:22 PM
Quote
Yes, this is a working pc.  I am only trying to hook up the hd from my external case as a slave to the regular hd, as suggested by this groupto check it out as it's not recognized through the USB.  It's the jumper setting I don't know what to do.  I already hooked it up but the pc wouldn't boot probably due to the jumper setting, I guess.  But the pc works fine.

Describe the hard drive that you removed from the external enclosure, and are now trying to use as a slave.
Manufacturer?
Model number?
Any and all descriptive info.....

Note above,  Patio said you need to visit the manufacturer's website.
There, you should be able to get a diagram and/or description of how to set the jumper.

If you can identify the drive - exactly - to the folks here,  they might be able to assist you further.


I hope this helps.

Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 11, 2007, 07:29:46 PM
The hd (USB external hd) is a WD WD2000 WD Caviar SE, model WD2000JB.  As for the jumper. what do I plug in there?  I don't know what this jumper is for.  I am trying to test it in the pc so I hope to access it.  I alaready hooked this up but it didn't work.  All I did was to plug in the ribbon cable and the regular plug (power I think).  I do have an extra plug there for an extra hd.  I see the diagram on the hd for the jumper setting,  but what do I do with it?
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: patio on March 11, 2007, 08:35:16 PM
Put the jumper on the slave setting...
The diagram is right on top of that WD HDD.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: frog on March 12, 2007, 12:22:27 AM
OK, I see it.  So the jumper is just moving the white plastic piece to the correct set of pins according to the diagram, is that right?  I guess the white piece then is the jumper huh?
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized
Post by: CBMatt on March 12, 2007, 01:24:23 AM
Quote
OK, I see it.  So the jumper is just moving the white plastic piece to the correct set of pins according to the diagram, is that right?  I guess the white piece then is the jumper huh?
That would be correct.  Just follow the diagram like patio said.
Title: Re: USB External hard drive not recognized T H A N
Post by: frog on March 12, 2007, 06:02:22 PM
Thanks to all you guys and gals for your help with this nasty problem.  I have determined that the ole hard drive has died quietly.  If it wasn't for all your help I would have never know for sure if I could have saved it or not.

Frog