BW4755
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Why won't Vista recognize my external drive?
I have been using a protable Hitachi SimplTough 320 GB external drive to store and carry files from my home PC to my office and to client meetings. The drive was working just fine. Now, it lights when plugged in and the drive spins, but Vista won't acknowledge that it's plugged in. The USG connection is integral to the drive, so I cannot detach it. I'm trying to avoid spending hundreds of dollars at a data retrieval supplier. Any suggestions?
ASKER
I read something about this online as well. I will try your recommendation re: Disk Manager as soon as I am back at my home PC. I have tried plugging the device into three other computers...all of which will not recognize the drive even though it lights and spins.
It's only a few months old and it was working just fine until now. So, I thought I'd try here to see if there was anything I've overlooked.
I noticed an article about relinking drivers. I may try that as well. But, I think you may be right...this may be hardware related.
It's only a few months old and it was working just fine until now. So, I thought I'd try here to see if there was anything I've overlooked.
I noticed an article about relinking drivers. I may try that as well. But, I think you may be right...this may be hardware related.
When you mention ".... I have tried plugging the device into three other computers...all of which will not recognize the drive even though it lights and spins..." what you are telling us basically is that the problem is not with the computers... the problem is with the drive.
You might have moved it while it was still on, bumped it, even slightly... this would be enough to damage the drive (even though the manufacturer states its rubber body can withstand 9.8-foot drops and a ton of pressure, that does not mean that if the drive is spinning it can take a little bump)
Another source could be the cable itself.... since you have been moving it around ... wear and tear... the cable could have been damaged internally and although it might seem fine from the outside it may be broken.
It does have a Limited warranty - 3 years , Technical support - 3 years so you might want to touch base with the manufacturer... they have probably seen these issues before with their drives many times and may provide valuable advise.
On this link in Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145262 I found an interesting review which might help:
"....I gave this drive 2 stars because I owned it for about 2 months and then all of a sudden the drive was not being read by my laptop. I put in another drive just to see if it may have been a computer error and it was not it. I basically had to twist the cable and set the drive in a certain way to finally get the computer to read it. I did that in order just to get my stuff out. I figure that the cable is not connected or soldered in a way where I can consider this a tough drive. However to be fair, I may have purchased a defective one so best of luck if you decide to purchase one...."
I hope this can give you the basic idea.....
Bits ...
You might have moved it while it was still on, bumped it, even slightly... this would be enough to damage the drive (even though the manufacturer states its rubber body can withstand 9.8-foot drops and a ton of pressure, that does not mean that if the drive is spinning it can take a little bump)
Another source could be the cable itself.... since you have been moving it around ... wear and tear... the cable could have been damaged internally and although it might seem fine from the outside it may be broken.
It does have a Limited warranty - 3 years , Technical support - 3 years so you might want to touch base with the manufacturer... they have probably seen these issues before with their drives many times and may provide valuable advise.
On this link in Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145262 I found an interesting review which might help:
"....I gave this drive 2 stars because I owned it for about 2 months and then all of a sudden the drive was not being read by my laptop. I put in another drive just to see if it may have been a computer error and it was not it. I basically had to twist the cable and set the drive in a certain way to finally get the computer to read it. I did that in order just to get my stuff out. I figure that the cable is not connected or soldered in a way where I can consider this a tough drive. However to be fair, I may have purchased a defective one so best of luck if you decide to purchase one...."
I hope this can give you the basic idea.....
Bits ...
ASKER
I have to agree with the review of the other owner. It doesn't seem to be a "tough" drive. I contacted the manufacturer and they told me they'd replace the drive, but I don't think I want another defective device from them. I just want my content back...and, getting it back seems to be an investment worth three times more than the drive itself.
I appreciate your comments!
I appreciate your comments!
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ASKER
Gillware is one of the services who Hitachi referred to me as well. I'll give them a try.
Thanks!
Thanks!
right-click My Computer and select manage...
Click Disk Management and see if the drive is recognized. If it is, check to make sure the drive letter is unused, if it is used, then change it to a different drive letter (z: is usually safe)...
If this is not working, have you tried it in a different PC, and if so and same result, look at a new controller box (available from most electronics stores) and put the drive in a new case. The controllers are universal and they are available for about $20 USD.