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Thread ID: 61883 2005-09-20 00:00:00 external harddrive no drive letter Robby (3123) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
389531 2005-09-20 00:00:00 gidday,

I purchased a new 40gb external harddrive, with usb powered connection,
when plugged in with xp, it creates a driver, in the device manager, under
the heading disk drives and also usb storage device, which is great.

However, there is no drive letter under my computer, nor is there any sign
of any listing, under disc management, so I am unable at the moment, to format and partition it.

any help, would very much appreciated,

cheers,

robby
Robby (3123)
389532 2005-09-20 00:20:00 Does it say unallocated in Disk Management, for anything??

If it does, this is the hdd. Highlight it and select format.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
389533 2005-09-20 00:34:00 Another possible problem I have had with USB drives is that if your next "free" drive letter has already been taken by a network drive windows will leave the network drive connected, and put the USB drive in limbo.

To fix it I just disconnect the network drive, then re attach the USB drive. Although the USB drive should be in disk managment if that was the case.

I don't think it is the case here, but it would be worth checking.

-Qyiet
qyiet (6730)
389534 2005-09-20 02:19:00 thank you for quick replies, speeddy unfortunatly, there is no listing
whatsoever in the disc management,

and qyiet, I checked out letter allocation, and all are clear from
F onwards which is correct.

many thanks,

robby
Robby (3123)
389535 2005-09-20 02:35:00 Hmm.. really reaching now.. it's not plugged in via a USB hub is it? You sometimes get weirdness on USB powered devices when you do that.

-Qyiet
qyiet (6730)
389536 2005-09-20 02:37:00 gidday,

I purchased a new 40gb external harddrive, with usb powered connection,
when plugged in with xp, it creates a driver, in the device manager, under
the heading disk drives and also usb storage device, which is great.

Are you sure its installed properly? I've noticed this with some of them. HAve you used the power cord it comes with rather than just the USB? It may need it to install properly.
pctek (84)
389537 2005-09-20 02:37:00 Might be a setting in the BIOS . If USB 2 is onboard .

I would connect the hdd to a port, then go into the BIOS . See if it shows up here . Does it appear on the post screen?

And see if it appears as a bootdisk . I would also check (if USB 2 is onboard), that its on Hi-speed in the BIOS .

Is the hdd plugged directly into the port, or is it connected thru a USB 2 Hub?

Does the hdd go by power as well?? Try connecting it to power as well, if it does .
Speedy Gonzales (78)
389538 2005-09-20 06:15:00 thanks everyone,

the unit is powered from the usb port only, I dont think its a power
problem, as the unit loads to the device manager ok.

thanks for the thought about the bios speedy no sign of it in there.

the unit it plugged into the front usb ports, no hub. I have tried back two
usb ports with same result, have tried another computer, with same result.

Begginng to think, hdd is not working right perhaps.

cheers everyone,

robby
Robby (3123)
389539 2005-09-21 14:32:00 Hey Robby

Go here www.ramelectronics.net
scroll half way down the page and you will see instructions on how to format
a new hdd.
Hope this helps.

SlySnake
SlySnake (8917)
389540 2005-09-21 22:08:00 gidday slysnake,

Thanks very much for your help, I ended up contacting the seller,
who where just great, it appears the drive has a fault, and they are
sending me another already formatted.

my thanks to everyone,

cheers,

robby
Robby (3123)
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