Problem with external HDD under WIndows XP SP3

Well, I had this problem resolved, but through a circuitous and totally unexpected way!

my o/s was corrupted and would not start and hence i had to re-install (repair did not work) the operating system. I had also installed SP3. On re-installation the HDDs have been recognized (which was my original problem)..

Guess, that if this problem occurs, the only solutions are repair the O/s (if you are lucky) or re-install the O/s (if you are NOT).

thanks a lot for all your support

Hi Kalyanaraman,

·         Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling USB controllers?

Follow these methods.

Method 1: Follow the steps from the article.

USB device is not recognized when you attach it immediately after your Windows XP-based computer resumes from standby or hibernation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/871233

You Receive a "USB Device Not Recognized" Error Message When You Resume Your Computer from Suspend or Hibernation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318773

Method 2: Update the chipset drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

How to manage devices in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283658

 

 

Sandeep

Yes, I had uninstalled the USB host controllers (sometime back) one by one and on booting, all of them re-installed themselves. I did not have to re-install them.

Method 1: there is NO "power management" tab available and the power tab that is shown does not have the option to turn off the USB devices. Hence this method is not effective.

Since the drives are recognised when the system comes up (with the drives connected), Device Manager does not show anything amiss. When the drives are connected with the system already up and running, the drives are not recognised, but there is no error message and the system just hangs. The only option available is a forced shutdown.

Method 2: I have been searching for the chipset drivers from the Acer site without success. I will continue to try.

My system is Acer Aspire 4720.

Hi Kalyanaraman,

·         Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling USB controllers?

Follow these methods.

Method 1: Follow the steps from the article.

USB device is not recognized when you attach it immediately after your Windows XP-based computer resumes from standby or hibernation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/871233

You Receive a "USB Device Not Recognized" Error Message When You Resume Your Computer from Suspend or Hibernation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318773

Method 2: Update the chipset drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

How to manage devices in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283658

Hi Kalyanaraman S,

·         Do you get any error message?

Follow these methods.

Method 1: Follow the steps from the article.

Advanced troubleshooting tips for general USB problems in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575

Method 2: Try connecting the external hard drive to a different USB port.

Method 3: Try connecting the external hard drive on a different computer.

For reference:

A computer that is running Windows XP cannot detect a USB flash drive, an Apple iPod, or an external hard disk drive

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196

Why doesn't my computer detect my new USB device when I'm running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314634

 

Sandeep

thanks for your response, but unfortunately the problem is still unresolved.

To answer your questions in the same sequence:

1. No there is no error message
2. Method 1: I followed the steps
3. malfunctioning, incorrectkly-configured or missing device drivers - there is no device driver that came along with the external drive. I understand all the USB drivers are already within XP
4. Mismatched cabling -  did try with a couple of other cabels and no success
5. out-of-date firmware or bios - did not want to take a chance of updating the BIOS without first verifying all the other possibilities. Do not know if that was a cause
6. Incorrectly configured root-hub 0 uninstalled all the USB controllers and root hubs, once by one and rebooted. All the controllers and hubs appeared on their own, but the problem was not resolved.
7. the power requirement is 500 mA and th article 310575 (cited above) says that it would work.
8. Method 2: I connected the external drive to different ports of the same laptop and the result was the same. The system recognises the external drive, if it is connecetd during the system boot-up time. If it is plugged in when the system is already up and running, the drive is not recognised and worse, the system hangs (in the Explorer status bar, I can see the message "checking for items" and the system remians there indefinitely.
9. Method 3: The external drive, when connected to an older desktop (Win XP SP2) works perfectly, under all conditions (connected during boot-up time, connected to a running system, disconnected and reconnected to a running system)
10. Method 3: I also connected the external drive to a laptop (Win 7) and there is no problem either. Works under all conditions

regards

kalyanaraman s.

Hi Kalyanaraman S,

·         Do you get any error message?

Follow these methods.

Method 1: Follow the steps from the article.

Advanced troubleshooting tips for general USB problems in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575

Method 2: Try connecting the external hard drive to a different USB port.

Method 3: Try connecting the external hard drive on a different computer.

For reference:

A computer that is running Windows XP cannot detect a USB flash drive, an Apple iPod, or an external hard disk drive

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196

Why doesn't my computer detect my new USB device when I'm running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314634