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| Thread ID: 72484 | 2006-09-14 10:54:00 | laptop temperamental re detecting external hard drive | bigskycountry (11142) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 484780 | 2006-09-14 10:54:00 | I bought an ext hard drive. USB connection and it worked fine on laptop and PC. Copied files; excellent...then today I plug hd into laptop (running windows xp) and although laptop detects there is something plugged in it does not now show up in "My Computer". HD is fine, running and green light on. Check in device manager says everything is fine, all drivers etc fine but nothing in My Computer re ext HD. Have tried restart etc, even system restore...no luck. External HD is IDE into USB (powerless btw) port, have tried both to no avail now whereas it worked straight away previous. HD has not been dropped or damaged. And again this worked previously on very same laptop... Any ideas? |
bigskycountry (11142) | ||
| 484781 | 2006-09-14 12:04:00 | "Powerless" suggests it uses USB port power (500 mA at 5v on a good day). My experience is that this is touch and go, even with dual USB plugs to double the power. If it takes an Ac-Dc adapter I would recommend trying it with one. Certainly needed here with a 30 GB 2.5" drive for reliability. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 484782 | 2006-09-14 12:36:00 | Welcome to PressF1 bigskycountry :) | stu161204 (123) | ||
| 484783 | 2006-09-14 13:53:00 | USB Power is low, try and plug it into the back of the computer (USB Ports) - the back have more watts - front are weak.... | maulaulau (6699) | ||
| 484784 | 2006-09-15 03:55:00 | Yes it does seem to be a power issue. Now my PC won't detect the HD in My Computer either. The Ext HD does not have any other connection to plug in AC power. Have tried all USB ports - PC detects hardware and sees it as ready to use but nothing in My Computer...how can I charge the ext HD? | bigskycountry (11142) | ||
| 484785 | 2006-09-15 06:56:00 | It has worked once, so it should work again. :D Try uninstalling and reinstalling it. USB is still a bit iffy all around: it's a complicated protocol, and there are manufacturers whose interpretation of it doesn't exactly match that of others. :) Otherwise, if it's really a power shortage, don't have it plugged in when you power up the laptop. That would give it a better chance. As a last resort, perhaps an externally powered hub would give a bit more oomph. (A shop prepared to refund you if it doesn't help would be a good idea). |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 484786 | 2006-09-16 10:04:00 | Thanks but how do you mean uninstall? It is just plug and play. |
bigskycountry (11142) | ||
| 484787 | 2006-09-17 06:08:00 | You can get the usb cables with 2 heads (so plugs into 2 usb ports) and that is often enough to power it :) Cheers KiwiMR2 |
KiwiMR2 (6464) | ||
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