USB hard drive not recognized and freezes computer

Try removing the hard drive from the external casing and install it in another external housing (that you can either borrow from someone or buy).

If it still doesn't work, there is probably something wrong with the disk itself. Otherwise, the problem will be the chipset/USB interface on the device.

If you're hearing clicking sounds from the drive, it's likely the hard drive is about to die.

First try the drive on another PC and tell us if you can access the data from there. Depending on that we can give you further advice.

It says in the original post that it doesn't work on any computer. I am assuming he/she has already tried it on another PC.

In that case geet a copy of knoppix and try using that to access the drive. If that can be done, copy the data off with that OS. If it doesn't work, you can try removing the disk from the case like was mentioned already, but try connecting the disk to an internal connector of the PC. If neither works, you are left with a data recovery agency, of which gillware is probably the best.

http://www.gillware.com/

Forgot the knoppix link:

http://knoppix.net

since the PC's freeze when the drive is connected,  i would think the external case is bad .
If you stilll got warranty, you can ask for a replacement, otherwise i suggest to Open the case, and connect the drive to an IDE cable, and backup your data. If the case is bad, you only have to buy a new , empty case.
If the drive is bad, you'll have to buy another drive.
if you need to recover data from it, pick one of these :

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/collection/0,collid,1295,00.asp            Free Recovery
http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm                              Spinrite
http://www.runtime.org/                                    GetDataBack
http://www.stellarinfo.com/                                    Stellar
http://www.bitmart.net/                                    Restorer 2000
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/restoration.html                        Restoration
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/activeundelete.html                  Active undelete

thanks for the replies.....I'll try some of the suggestions and get back to you....Its currently undergoing a SpinRite scan so it might take a day or two

Well,  with knoppix i can see the hard drive and the data on it on the linux platform. BUT....It wont let me transfer the data from the external USB DRIVE to my computer hard drive.  It wont even let me create a new folder on my computer hard drive .  

go to www.runtime.org and use getdataback to recover your data.  It works.  The difficult part you have is getting the drive to be recognized without freezing the system.  Safe Mode wont do, because it wont find USB drivers.  YOu will just have to try on whatever system will free up the interface after you plug the drive.  Good luck

>>    BUT....It wont let me transfer the data from the external USB DRIVE to my computer hard drive  <<  strange .. with me it works

I greatlt appreciate all your replies.  KNoppix did the trick once i brought a third hard drive(FAT32) into the picture.  I managed to save all my data.  And learned a few things about Knoppix which i never knew existed.  If anyone knows of any dos based disk repair software please email me at ntorres38 at gmail dot com

Use the manufacturer's tools, or download the UBCD which includes the tools of most manufacturers.

http://ultimatebootcd.com