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01.30.2007 at 03:12AM PST, ID: 22141857
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Problem with USB Mass Storage Device

Tags: storage, mass, usb, device
Hi

I have a Maxtor USB External Hard disk, which has some important files on it. The disk has a seperate power supply from the mains and through a transformer. However, something has happened to it recently. When I plug it into any computer, it detects it but it does not come up as an accessible hard drive. If I connect it to my laptop, I get Unknown device warning messages, and the it seems very unstable. I cannot access the files?

How can I get the information off it?

Jason
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Question Stats
Zone: Storage
Question Asked By: Jason210
Solution Provided By: rindi
Participating Experts: 4
Solution Grade: A
Views: 374
Translate:
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01.30.2007 at 04:20AM PST, ID: 18426946

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01.30.2007 at 06:05AM PST, ID: 18427625

Rank: Genius

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01.30.2007 at 06:40AM PST, ID: 18427887

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01.30.2007 at 07:08AM PST, ID: 18428125

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01.30.2007 at 07:14AM PST, ID: 18428191

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01.30.2007 at 07:18AM PST, ID: 18428245

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01.30.2007 at 07:43AM PST, ID: 18428434

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01.30.2007 at 08:45AM PST, ID: 18428953

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01.30.2007 at 08:56AM PST, ID: 18429030

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01.30.2007 at 09:32AM PST, ID: 18429346

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01.30.2007 at 10:58AM PST, ID: 18430108

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01.30.2007 at 11:12AM PST, ID: 18430256

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01.30.2007 at 11:33AM PST, ID: 18430407

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01.30.2007 at 03:21PM PST, ID: 18432207

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01.30.2007 at 04:20AM PST, ID: 18426946
 
01.30.2007 at 06:05AM PST, ID: 18427625

Rank: Genius

Use getdataback to scan the disk, and if it finds anything get the software registered so that you can copy the data Off. Sometimes it also helps to remove the disk from the USB case and connect as a 2nd internal disk to a PC running XP and then running getdataback from there. If it is a 2.5" disk then you will need a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter to be able to connect it to the desktop. Be aware that Maxtor disks do have a rather bad record for their reliability!

http://runtime.org
Accepted Solution
 
01.30.2007 at 06:40AM PST, ID: 18427887
Once the USB drive is connected - go into the disk managment utility (right click on My Computer --> chose "Manage" --> Disk Managment.

Does the drive show up in there? If it comes up as unknown - you may need to import back into the system.

Post after you get a chance to try.

 
01.30.2007 at 07:08AM PST, ID: 18428125
xph1le
>Yes, it shows up but I think I'm looking at ghost. There is a red "no entry" sign on the disk, and it says "not allocated".

rindi
Thanks for the tips. And what external disks would you recommend instead of Maxtor?
 
01.30.2007 at 07:14AM PST, ID: 18428191
Seagate is the best drive on the market at the current time. I know that they own Maxtor, so I would look forward to maybe seeing some changes with the Maxtor products in the future.

Jon
Assisted Solution
 
01.30.2007 at 07:18AM PST, ID: 18428245

Rank: Genius

Make your own. There are empty USB cases (or better, combinations of USB/Firewire/eSATA cases). Then get a good HD, like a Samsung Spinpoint SATA disk (If your USB case takes SATA disks, otherwise they also have IDE HD's). Samsung disks are very quite and don't get as hot as most others.
Assisted Solution
 
01.30.2007 at 07:43AM PST, ID: 18428434
Hi

Thanks for the tip rindi, sounds like a great idea and something I'll try later on. Unfortunately I don't have time right now. The getdataback has worked fine, I'm just going to get another (Western DIgital "My Book" will have to do for now) and put the info on that.

/Jason
 
01.30.2007 at 08:45AM PST, ID: 18428953
Not allocated sounds like the drive letter isn't allocated - maybe the USB drive is conflicting with the C: drive (letter that is)

Right click on the USB drive and select "Change drive letter and paths" then select the "Change" button - chose any other drive letter that isn't in use.

Let us know how it goes.
 
01.30.2007 at 08:56AM PST, ID: 18429030
xph1le - right clicking on the drive doesn't give me that option.

MY laptop's USB ports go crazy when I connect the disk,  and all USB devices freeze.

If, however, I connect the disk to another PC, then iut behaves differently. I get the USB icon, but no drive shows. I have now bought a new external hard disk and when I connect that to my laptop it seems ok. What I will now do is use the gerdataback program and recover what I can. And put it on a new hard disk. I'm still at work and it's 18.02 here. Supposed to finish at 16.00.

 
01.30.2007 at 09:32AM PST, ID: 18429346
Just to be clear - I meant from the disc management utility (the right click that is).

Glad to hear you have a plan of attack.

Good luck!
 
01.30.2007 at 10:58AM PST, ID: 18430108
I would suggest an IDE to USB connector (with power cable) and connect the drive to your system as a USB device.  You will most likely be able to get your files off that drive and the connector I'm talking about is cheap.  Here's one for $9:

http://www.meritline.com/usb-to-ide-network-cable.html

Connecting the drive to your system as a USB device will probably also allow you to perform other diagnostic utilities to see if you could save the drive.
 
01.30.2007 at 11:12AM PST, ID: 18430256
oh crapola... sorry i didn't read closely enough that this is already a USB drive.  My bad.  Please disregard!
 
01.30.2007 at 11:33AM PST, ID: 18430407
:-) no worries. Thanks anyway
 
01.30.2007 at 03:21PM PST, ID: 18432207
Ok, Getbackdata got back the data, and it is now safe. Phew! Seems like a good piece of software, but pricey, and the fact that you need different versions for different file systems is a bit of a con, I think. But it did the job.

After I retrieved the data, and re-initialised the old MAxtor, fdisk'd and formatted it and it seemed alright now. So I think the problem is with my USB system on the laptop. It has become unstable, and I believe is was the USB system that messed up my hard drive, not vice verse.
 
 
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