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Thread ID: 110896 2010-07-06 08:20:00 Maxtor external hard drive problems globe (11482) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1116455 2010-07-06 08:20:00 I have a maxtor external hard drive that has stopped working. I am not aware of it being dropped and about a week or so ago it has stopped working. The little green light is on, it appears to make a whirring noise but it is not recognised in "my computer". Any ideas as I have a fair bit of information on this i'd be keen on hanging on to.

I have tried plugging the USB into different slots on my computer and different usb gadgets into the ones not working for the hard drive and that does not seem to be the issue.

thanks
globe (11482)
1116456 2010-07-06 08:25:00 Could be the drive, could be the controller in the enclosure. No way to tell without removing the drive.

Rule of thumb for data you don't want to lose, store it in a least two different places.
gcarmich (10068)
1116457 2010-07-06 08:27:00 Could be the internal circuit board on the enclosure gone bad, open up the unit, remove the HDD, connect it to a PC as a slave drive.

If it reads OK then you can always get another enclosure (cheap enough) if it doesn't read, then its possible the drives died.
wainuitech (129)
1116458 2010-07-06 08:27:00 Could be the drive, could be the controller in the enclosure. No way to tell without removing the drive.

Rule of thumb for data you don't want to lose, store it in a least two different places.

-
globe (11482)
1116459 2010-07-06 08:29:00 Could be the internal circuit board on the enclosure gone bad, open up the unit, remove the HDD, connect it to a PC as a slave drive.

If it reads OK then you can always get another enclosure (cheap enough) if it doesn't read, then its possible the drives died.

Hmmmm, sounds like that is outside of my skill base. I'll see if I can take it back to the shop then I think (unless that what you have suggested is much easier than it sounds of course)
globe (11482)
1116460 2010-07-06 08:30:00 Sure, remove the drive from the enclosure and try it in a computer. If it works then its the enclosure, if it doesn't then its the drive. gcarmich (10068)
1116461 2010-07-06 08:32:00 If its under warranty take it back to the shop as opening it will invalidate the warranty. If you purchased it from one of the big chains then they ain't going to be interested in the data, if you purchased from a small shop then chances are they will be much more helpful. gcarmich (10068)
1116462 2010-07-06 08:40:00 do you think it could be anything to do with plug and play ? could i somehow download a driver or something to enable the plug and play again ? globe (11482)
1116463 2010-07-06 08:41:00 Try it in another computer, or try another drive, USB stick in your machine. gcarmich (10068)
1116464 2010-07-06 09:27:00 If its under warranty take it back to the shop as opening it will invalidate the warranty. If you purchased it from one of the big chains then they ain't going to be interested in the data, if you purchased from a small shop then chances are they will be much more helpful.

It was only purchased last April from DSE, and looking on the web it has a 3 year warranty with it. As for your comment about getting the data back how would you suggest I go about this ? It is the data I am most bothered about - the actual unit is only worth about $150.
globe (11482)
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