Connecting a hard drive to laptop

[mattydinx]

1) With the hard drive connected, Click on the start button (or 'orb' as it seems to be called these days)
2) Right click where it says 'Computer' and select 'Manage'
3) In the box that appears select 'Storage' then 'Disk Management (Local)

You may get a prompt about one of your drives not being formatted or initialized, choose yes if this is the case (you'll want the MBR option if it asks you)

Your external drive should show up (Probably as Disk 2) in the list, as well as in 'Computer'

If it doesn't, one last thing you can check is the 'Device Manager', which can be accessed from the same window you had open before via the options on the left hand side. When there, expand the 'Disk drives' option - your external drive should show up in there. If not, click 'Action' along the tool bar at the top and select 'Scan for new hardware changes'.

Your new drive should be detected and ready to go!

If not, I'd suspect it may be faulty and it would be worth taking it back for a replacement.

[Reminisce disco]

May i refer you to this: http://forum.mobilediscodirectory.co...ad.php?t=12229

I've followed the instructions as above but it doesnt recognise the drive for me to format it.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Tried it on a different computer? Tried a different usb port?

[Reminisce disco]

Tried it on a different computer? Tried a different usb port?

Just tried it on my partners laptop. Exactly the same, not recognised anywhere!

[mattydinx]

Just tried it on my partners laptop. Exactly the same, not recognised anywhere!

I've got the same drive bud, when you connect the USB cable does the white indicator light come on?

If not, my moneys on duff cable or dead drive.

I'm not aware WD did a 'mac' version of the Elements drives as they do for the MyBook range, but check on the box that it doesn't say 'for mac' on the box.

[Reminisce disco]

I've got the same drive bud, when you connect the USB cable does the white indicator light come on?

If not, my moneys on duff cable or dead drive.

I'm not aware WD did a 'mac' version of the Elements drives as they do for the MyBook range, but check on the box that it doesn't say 'for mac' on the box.

Matty, yep white light comes on and got the box next to me, says preformatted for Windows.

[Reminisce disco]

White indicator light is flashing continuously

[mattydinx]

Not a duff cable then.

Does it appear in device manager?

I've seen some drives take an absolute age to initialize in Win7 - How long have you left it connected?

[sgevents]

I have had this with a different external hdd .. Listen to to the drive is it makin any unusual sounds.... Could be corrupt(clicking noise)

[Reminisce disco]

Not a duff cable then.

Does it appear in device manager?

I've seen some drives take an absolute age to initialize in Win7 - How long have you left it connected?

No it doesnt appear at all and ive left it connected for ages.