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External USB hdd not detected by Windows 7

Anonymous
2012-02-27T11:44:51+00:00

Hello,

I have a problem with access to my external harddrive. Well, it was not an external hdd by design since i took it out of an old notebook and installed it in an external usb box.

When i try to connect it to my home computer with W7HP sp1 (x64), its built-in led lights up but the device is not detected by windows (no sound notification and no new device in device manager). But it works without problems when i connect it at my workplace to a desktop pc with WXP and to a notebook with W7HB also. This is strange.

I also tried to install additional usb ports into my home computer by means of an PCIX USB 3.0 card, but it produced the same result - everything except the external hdd worked on it. Not sure if its relevant but i'm using a motherboard with the nvidia nforce 550 chipset.

I even considered buying a new external hdd since i need the additional space, but i don't want to shell out money for it only to find out that it won't work either.

Thanks in advance for Your help.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-02-28T17:02:30+00:00

    Hello,

    Thanks for Your advices. I managed to get it working in a different way.

    The problem was in a poor quality USB extension cable. I replaced it with a new sturdy one and after connecting the hdd to it, it started spinning up and was promptly recognized by the operating system.

    It's working perfectly now.

    Thank you.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2012-02-28T05:51:07+00:00

    Hi,

    1.       What happens when you connect the hard drive?

    2.       Do you get any error message?

    3.       Have you checked if the Hard disk is detected on a different Windows 7 Computer?

    4.       Do you see any yellow\red exclamation mark in device manager?

    Method 1:

    Try the steps from the  link below

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Hardware-and-Devices-troubleshooter

    Method 2:

    I would also suggest you to open Disc management and check if the drive is detected there, here are the steps:

    a.     

    1. Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer   Management. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    b.     In the left pane, click Disk Management.

    If it the hard drive recognizes in the disc management and if there is no drive letter assigned, I would suggest you right click on the drive and assign a drive letter and check if it helps:

    c.   Right-click the drive to change, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.

    d.   Do one of the following:

    ·         To assign a drive letter if one has not already been assigned, click Add, click the letter that you want to use, and then click OK.

    ·         To change a drive letter, click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the letter that you want to use, and then click OK.

    ·         To remove a drive letter, click Remove, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to remove it.

    Refer this link for more information:

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

    Method 3:

    This issue can happen for several different reasons; driver instability, missing updates, missing hot fixes, Selective suspend and others. There is a KB article that walks through methods to help fix this. Hope this helps.

    Error: “USB Device not recognized” when you try to access a USB external hard drive.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2654149

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-02-29T07:51:28+00:00

    Hi,

    I am glad that you were able to get the issue resolved. Thank you for sharing the resolution with us. Please do post any queries you may face in the future regarding Windows and we will be glad to assist

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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