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Thread ID: 55608 2005-03-15 03:29:00 New External harddrive petermac (913) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
334246 2005-03-15 03:29:00 I have just purchased a new external hard drive case and installed a new 80 GB drive inside it. It is powered from its own powerpack and connects to the PC by USB.
The instuctions say the drive needs to be formated before it can be used. But they give no instructions on how to go about this.
On plugging the drive into the USB port, a message come ups saying "unrecognised device"

Any help on how to go about foramting this drive would be appreciated
petermac (913)
334247 2005-03-15 03:32:00 Format it first. Take it back out and connect it to your PC normally with the IDE cable as a 2nd drive, then set it up how you want it and format it. Then chuck it back in the USB enclosure. pctek (84)
334248 2005-03-15 03:39:00 Format it first. Take it back out and connect it to your PC normally with the IDE cable as a 2nd drive, then set it up how you want it and format it. Then chuck it back in the USB enclosure.


I wondered if that was the only way. Thanks for that.
petermac (913)
334249 2005-03-15 04:10:00 No, that's not the only way

If you're running WinXP, right-click on My Computer and choose Manage
Then click on Disk Management
Then click on the drive, right-click it and choose Format

If it says "unrecognised device" I would check in the device manager and find out why, as it should not give that error.

Welcome to PressF1 petermac

Cheers


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
334250 2005-03-15 04:19:00 Thanks Chill,

This place rocks !!!
petermac (913)
334251 2005-03-15 04:38:00 You can do the XP method but I would do it the other way, for one you'll know if theres some problem with the drive itself as opposed to the USB enclosure.
If the PC BIOS detects the HDD you're off to a good start.
With the XP method it has to find both - the usb device and the HDD.
pctek (84)
334252 2005-03-15 04:58:00 But it's quickest to try it the XP way. If that doesn't work, then go looking for trouble. ;)

Another point which might arise ... if it's a 2.5" drive, most people haven't got the adaptor required to fit a standard IDE cable. (I see this is an 80Gb, so probably is 3.5").
Graham L (2)
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