Can't get computer to recognize external hard drive
I've tried this on two computers... one running XP Home and one running XP Pro with the same results.
This is a brand new drive, a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex. I took it to a vendor who dumped a bunch of video files on it. Now I can't see it. Both computers will make the 'connect' noise as if they're going to recognize it but nothing else happens.
I went into 'My Computer' and went under 'Manage' and still can't see it.
Any assistance is very much appreciated!
This is a brand new drive, a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex. I took it to a vendor who dumped a bunch of video files on it. Now I can't see it. Both computers will make the 'connect' noise as if they're going to recognize it but nothing else happens.
I went into 'My Computer' and went under 'Manage' and still can't see it.
Any assistance is very much appreciated!
If they wrote to the drive, but did not use the safely remove hardware feature, it's possible that the drive is corrupted. Do you see the drive letter assigned to it? If not, can you see it in disk management in control panel->administrative tools->computer management?
There is software, such as GetDataBack from http://www.runtime.org and Recuva from http://www.piriform.com/recuva, that can recover data from corrupted drives, but they work best if the drives are connected directly to the motherboard.
There is software, such as GetDataBack from http://www.runtime.org and Recuva from http://www.piriform.com/recuva, that can recover data from corrupted drives, but they work best if the drives are connected directly to the motherboard.
ASKER
When I plug it in, the computer makes the 'connect' sound. The drive is running and the light is on, but I cannot find it, even in disc management. It's simply not showing up. Again, I've tried it on 2 different PC's with the same results... one running XP Pro and one running XP Home.
If you are connecting in front USB port then I want you to connect it to backside USB ports which are directly to system board. Try this one time.
ASKER
Tried connecting it to the back. Still does not show up. However, it DOES show under device manager.
Try some other USB devices, like a flash drive. Does it seem like the USB ports are working fine? If everything else is fine, and you have tried 2 computers, then your drive is done. Contact their support for a new one!
ASKER
Yes, other drives work fine. Man... I bought this drive and put a project on it but never used it. Now I need the info and this "new and used one time" drive won't work. I did contact Seagate and was pretty 'pissed' when all they could say was 'your drive is out of warranty'.
If it's out of warranty, you have nothing to lose by opening up the enclosure and try connecting directly to the motherboard. The software I suggested may allow you to recover your data.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Nobus, that worked! Thanks so much!!!! I really appreciate the assistance!
i ALWAYS recommend using USB disk drives with their own power supply, and failing that, a powered hub
FYI : the USB BUS provides 5V at 0.5A = 2.5 W Max - so it's easyly overloaded
FYI : the USB BUS provides 5V at 0.5A = 2.5 W Max - so it's easyly overloaded
http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/docs/goflex/goflex_home_user_guide.pdf