PDA

View Full Version : External hard drive (where?)


Stephen_N.I.
02-07-2007, 04:45 PM
Ok,
So I bought an external hard drive to back-up my MP3s to in case the PC crashes or such.
When I plug it in via USB is finds it ok, the icon beside the clock, but I can't find it to transfer files to.
Where should it appear, my computer as a removable drive or such?

Thanks
Solitaire Events Ltd
02-07-2007, 04:47 PM
It should be in 'my computer' as an external drive.

Are you using XP?
Stephen_N.I.
02-07-2007, 04:51 PM
Yeah XP, can't find it at all.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
jamesh
02-07-2007, 04:54 PM
it may not be formatted...

Right click on my computer and click on manage

The in the new window click on disk manager (it should be listed as one of the drives - if not it's not finding the drive for some other reason - so try another cable / usb socket...)

If it does show up have a look down a bit and does it say unformatted? If so right click and click on format.... Once it's formatted it should then show up in my computer and it was prob the reason it wasn't in my computer...
Solitaire Events Ltd
02-07-2007, 04:55 PM
See if it's in device manager first and if there's a problem.

Right click on my computer - properties - hardware - device manager and then scroll down the list to disc drives, expand that and see if it's there.
Solitaire Events Ltd
02-07-2007, 05:01 PM
If it is there, then try this...

Right click on my computer - manage - disc management

You should see your external hard drive under the list. Right click on it, and choose change drive letter. Change it to something else and hopefully it should appear.
Stephen_N.I.
02-07-2007, 05:30 PM
Excellent - Sorted
Thanks guys for your quick and helpful replies!
jamesh
02-07-2007, 06:00 PM
so what solved it??? Might be handy for people searching int he future with the same problem.
Stephen_N.I.
02-07-2007, 08:20 PM
Did the whole right clicking my computer thing and then formatted the drive from there.
Good job!
PropellerHeadCase
03-07-2007, 12:00 AM
NTFS I assume?
Stephen_N.I.
03-07-2007, 11:29 AM
As far as I'm aware, I just right clicked till something worked.
Bit of a PC novice as you can probably tell.

But if anyone's stuck ask the guys that replied to my original post or you can ask me and I'll try to take you through what I did.
Corabar Steve
18-07-2007, 06:00 PM
I'm having a similar problem, the HD isn't showing up in My Computer.
See if it's in device manager first and if there's a problem.

Right click on my computer - properties - hardware - device manager and then scroll down the list to disc drives, expand that and see if it's there.Did this, there it is. Says it's working properly.



BUT..................


If it is there, then try this...

Right click on my computer - manage - disc management

You should see your external hard drive under the list. Right click on it, and choose change drive letter. Change it to something else and hopefully it should appear.
Now it's not. Only the internal HD (C) & CD/DVD ROMs showing.

Any ideas?
Marc J
18-07-2007, 06:10 PM
Try http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7588_102-0.html?forumID=70&threadID=207049&messageID=2212395

Apperently the WD MyBook doesn't work with Vista so hope that's not what you're running.
Corabar Steve
18-07-2007, 06:26 PM
Nope XP
Marc J
18-07-2007, 06:28 PM
Reading that link, looks like it could be a driver problem, and recommends using the Windows ones instead of WD's.

Also make sure it's a USB2 port you're plugging into, and the cable's good etc...

Just go read the link :P
Corabar Steve
18-07-2007, 07:08 PM
Looks like it's a duff unit. Tried everything suggested, still doesn't show in disc management although device manager says it's there!
PropellerHeadCase
18-07-2007, 08:52 PM
Get a shareware/free trial version of Partition magic and check your discs with that - excellent diagnostics AND does a much better job of reporting errors than Windows.
Corabar Steve
18-07-2007, 09:36 PM
Got a link?
BeerFunk
18-07-2007, 09:51 PM
Get a shareware/free trial version of Partition magic and check your discs with that - excellent diagnostics AND does a much better job of reporting errors than Windows.
Steve already said that the drive doesn't show up in windows at all, so I doubt that would work (everything's worth a try though, when it comes to computers)

Another thing that shouldn't work, but might because computers are strange, is to try using another USB port.
Corabar Steve
18-07-2007, 09:54 PM
I've tried every available port, different cables, everything!

Shows in device manager but nowhere else.
Marc J
18-07-2007, 09:58 PM
I take it you've tried the obvious and tried hooking the drive up to another PC?
Corabar Steve
18-07-2007, 10:02 PM
It worked previously on the lappy, but that's in Weleyn Garden City with Angela at the moment. We're going to try it with that one again tomorrow.
BeerFunk
18-07-2007, 10:03 PM
I've tried every available port, different cables, everything!

Shows in device manager but nowhere else.
But the Freecom drive works fine, and the WD works with your laptop? That is very strange. If that is the case, networking is a workaround (although I'd just send it back!)
PropellerHeadCase
18-07-2007, 10:08 PM
Beerfunk, if it shows in the device manager Partition Magic will generally either find it or report (sensibly) on why you can't find it.

It seems to have been taken over by Norton, which is a shame, but it should still do the trick.

http://www.soft32.com/download_151.html
BeerFunk
18-07-2007, 10:42 PM
Beerfunk, if it shows in the device manager Partition Magic will generally either find it or report (sensibly) on why you can't find it.

It seems to have been taken over by Norton, which is a shame, but it should still do the trick.

http://www.soft32.com/download_151.html
Ah yes, but it doesn't show in disk management, which is why I don't think Partition Magic will be able to process it either.