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Toshiba Canvio External Hard Drive not recognized in Win 7 explorer

Anonymous
2011-11-16T03:07:28+00:00

This external hard drive isn't showing up in Win 7 explorer, but registers in the device manager. Since it does't show up in Win 7 explorer, using is as a back up external storage device makes this impossible.According to Microsoft, this device is compatible with Win 7 explorer. I also have the same problem with my Seagate external hard drive.  Does anyone have a fix for this problem??? Thanks in advance

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-11-16T15:18:42+00:00

Hi,

• Have you made any changes to your computer prior to this issue?

Follow the suggestions and see if it helps.

Method 1You may run the fix it from the article.

Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/hardware_device_problems/en-us

Method 2You may assign a different drive letter and then check.

Change, add, or remove a drive letter

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-add-or-remove-a-drive-letter

Method 3a)     Click **Start.**b)    In the search box type **Device Manager.**c)     Locate Disk drives and expand the chevron.

d)    Right click **External drive.**e)    Click Properties and then go to **Drivers tab.**f)      Click Uninstall and click Apply and OK.

You may reinstall the drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

After reinstalling the drivers, you may select scan for hardware changes and see if the drive gets detected correctly, If it does not help then try restarting the computer.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-11-16T13:46:48+00:00

    Your suggestion isn't that helpful, as I've already checked out the Win 7 hardware forum and the above external HD along with others are said to be compatible. It took a bit of digging in this forum, but eventually, I came upon part of my answer, the rest I'll hope is of some use to others.

    However, since I found part of my answer on Win 7 forum.....thanks. 

    Thanks Daveman6. I've spend hours reading through the forums trying to resolve my external HD issue. When you mentioned that all three areas: Disk Mgt, My Computer and Device Manager that was when the light bulb went off in my head. My issue turn out simply to be assigning the drive path which I did in the Disk Management area and viola, the external HDs showed up in the My Computer area. So a hearty Thank you. Hope this option works for some other poor frustrated sod out there......

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-17T17:07:51+00:00

    Hi,

    You are welcome.

    If you have any more queries, you can always post here at Microsoft Answers.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-11-16T16:12:25+00:00

    Hi Fahimulla K, Thank you for your suggestions. I will follow them through if I have the problem again. I've managed to resolve it for now, but appreciate your clear directions.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-11-16T08:01:08+00:00

    How does this pertain to Windows Update functionality?

    Try the Win7 Hardware forum.

    <edit>Note: A Moderator moved your thread from the Windows Update forum to the Win7 Hardware forum after I posted this reply. Good luck.</edit>

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