External HDD Not detected... by anything
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Hey all.
So I'm pretty good with computers but I'm honestly stumped right now. If anybody could help me out, you'll be my favorite person of all time.
I have a 500gb iomega external HDD. The other day, I was in a hurry to get out the door and I ended up shutting off my external without going through the "safely remove device" routine. No big deal I thought, it was a one time slip.
So now, the external isn't being detected. At all. My laptop doesn't make a sound when I plug it in and turn it on, doesn't even seem to recognize I plugged anything in. I checked in Disk Management, and sure enough it isn't even there. So the computer just doesn't recognize it at all. I tried plugging it into 2 other computers, still no dice. It just isn't being recognized.
So my question is: is the thing salvagable? Is there some process I'm not thinking of that I can use to get my external back without data loss?
For the record, this is on a Vista Home Premium, and the other 2 computers were both Windows XP.
To anybody who would take on my plight, I thank thee!
So I'm pretty good with computers but I'm honestly stumped right now. If anybody could help me out, you'll be my favorite person of all time.
I have a 500gb iomega external HDD. The other day, I was in a hurry to get out the door and I ended up shutting off my external without going through the "safely remove device" routine. No big deal I thought, it was a one time slip.
So now, the external isn't being detected. At all. My laptop doesn't make a sound when I plug it in and turn it on, doesn't even seem to recognize I plugged anything in. I checked in Disk Management, and sure enough it isn't even there. So the computer just doesn't recognize it at all. I tried plugging it into 2 other computers, still no dice. It just isn't being recognized.
So my question is: is the thing salvagable? Is there some process I'm not thinking of that I can use to get my external back without data loss?
For the record, this is on a Vista Home Premium, and the other 2 computers were both Windows XP.
To anybody who would take on my plight, I thank thee!
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Try a different USB slot if you can. May have just shocked it out of comission. To check plug your mouse or any other USB device into it and see if it works.
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I had the same problem before, and tried everything until I finally gave up and assumed it died. Then I tried again randomly a few days later and it booted up just fine. Now to this day my external works when it wants to, and only when it wants to. Suffice it to say, I've transferred everything off of there to sticks and DVDs while I wait for the thing to die so I can buy a new one. -_-
I hate external HDDs. I've never had one that lasted more than a couple of years. This one has actually managed to last about five, which is remarkably, but has only been barely functional for the past two.
I hate external HDDs. I've never had one that lasted more than a couple of years. This one has actually managed to last about five, which is remarkably, but has only been barely functional for the past two.
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I've tried to plug it into all the USB slots on my PC, and also into other PC's. No dice. I double checked and plugged my mouse into the same USB slot, works just fine.
*EDIT* As to the driver, it never needed/came with a CD or anything like that, It usually just plugs into any PC and works just fine, no driver install required.
*EDIT 2* Two other things I forgot to mention. 1: I checked the USB cable, that is not the issue. 2: If you turn it on, the external still spins and hums away like it is working, and the light comes on... computers just aren't recognizing it.
*EDIT* As to the driver, it never needed/came with a CD or anything like that, It usually just plugs into any PC and works just fine, no driver install required.
*EDIT 2* Two other things I forgot to mention. 1: I checked the USB cable, that is not the issue. 2: If you turn it on, the external still spins and hums away like it is working, and the light comes on... computers just aren't recognizing it.
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well is it in warranty, if so it might be better just to send it in.(though they might send you a new one)
it seems like the problem might lie in the enclosure, and to check this you would need to take out the hdd and put in your computer, but this would void your warranty.
edit* by the way, you didn't mention weather it was a 2.5 or 3.5.
it seems like the problem might lie in the enclosure, and to check this you would need to take out the hdd and put in your computer, but this would void your warranty.
edit* by the way, you didn't mention weather it was a 2.5 or 3.5.
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Well you could buy a new enclosure for it and try again. Here's a good site. If your laptop has eSATA I would suggest using that and getting an enclosure that has it.
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Yeah I've already got 2 enclosures stashed around here. Guess I'll just open the damn thing up. It isn't under warranty any longer. If that doesn't fix it... then I'm screwed out of 250ish gbs of stuff I've got. Which would suck...
Thanks for the help everybody. I'll report back the result later.
*EDIT* - Opened it up, 3.5
Thanks for the help everybody. I'll report back the result later.
*EDIT* - Opened it up, 3.5
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If you hear it spinning, then chances are the drive itself is still good. The enclosure is probably bad.
Just keep in mind, you'll need the right enclosure for the right type of drive... ide enclosure for an ide drive, sata enclosure for a sata drive.
That or you can just hook the drive into your computer - provided that you have an available ide/sata port.
Just keep in mind, you'll need the right enclosure for the right type of drive... ide enclosure for an ide drive, sata enclosure for a sata drive.
That or you can just hook the drive into your computer - provided that you have an available ide/sata port.
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Yeah I had the wrong type of enclosure, It's a Desktop sized HDD and the enclosure I have only fits Laptop. So I'll truck it to best buy. I have to return a faulty headset anyway...
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Update. So I ordered an enclosure from newegg and hooked the thing in, but still nothing. Tried different USB ports and cables, no dice. Drive is still spinning away inside the enclosure, just ain't getting read. I'm assuming that this this was the last ditch effort?
