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exFAT drive no longer accessible from Windows 10

Anonymous
2020-10-09T12:56:26+00:00

I was looking to use an external, exFAT formatted, drive to move files between a laptop running Windows 10 and a Mac running High Sierra. I was able to load the files from the laptop onto the 320 GB SimpleDrive. However, I was unable to access the drive from the Mac (it did not show up in Finder or the Mac's disk management utilities). And now, while the external drive is powering up from the USB port and appears to be running, the drive is not visible in File Explorer, or in the Device Manager or Disk Management utilities. The USB ports appear to be running OK, and the drivers up to date. 

Also: I had previously moved files between an older laptop running Windows 7 and this Mac using exFAT formatted external drives including this SimpleDrive.  This is, though, the first time I've tried doing this since I migrated to a newer laptop running Windows 10.  

Has anyone else run into this scenario where a seemingly functional external drive has stopped working / being accessible after connecting it to a Mac? 

Thanks for your time, any help and feedback is welcomed.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Neil D 32,835 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-10-09T13:19:24+00:00

    Is there any option for external power to the drive or can you try a different USB port. Is there a double USB connector on the USB lead to connect two ports at a time to provide more power to the drive.

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  2. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-10-09T13:01:00+00:00

    Hi Clint,

    I'm Independent Advisor not Microsoft employee or support person. But I'm in contact with Windows developers since 1995 - as a one of the best Windows beta-testers till 2009 when program was closed, as an MVP in 2005-2017 including Windows System & Performance nomination. So I have deep enough Windows knowledge and you may trust me. It's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll do all my best to help you.

    Each properly installed and properly operated device should be presented in Device manager regardless of driver installation.

    Your device is absent in Device manager so it is either faulty or improperly connected. If it is possible try to disassemble external device and connect drive directly to PC as internal one. Sometimes drive may be in good state but USB module broken.

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  3. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-10-09T13:47:57+00:00

    You may try another USB ports (especially at back side of desctop PC) or another PC.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-09T13:42:53+00:00

    Igor, thanks for your message. Disassembling the external drive to bypass the USB module in the drive may be a possibility. However, before I take a screwdriver to the drive, are there no other things that I can try?

    Clint

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-10-09T13:37:27+00:00

    Neilpzz,

    I should have noted in my original posting that the drive Is powered from a separate external power supply. I have a tried the two USB ports on the laptop with the same result - the drive is being accessed via the ports because the indicator light is on. However, it does not show up in File Explorer or the couple of utilities I used to try and fault find / diagnose the problem.

    Clint

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