How to read External Drive

[JillC]

I wanted to backup my computer so I purchased an external hard drive - but instead of getting something all set up and ready to go what arrived was an external case and a standard hdd. So I assembled the unit as per the instructions, plugged it into the power and the USB port.

My computer running Windows XP Home recognised a mass storage device. But it doesn't show up as a drive letter so I presume I need to format the drive????

How do I do that? Or if that is not what I should do, what is the next step?

Feeling really dumb today!!!

 

[JillC]

Forget this.

I figured it out eventually.

 

[mrees]

JillC

How did you figure this out, I am having exactly the same problem...

Mrees

 

[Freestone]

Start, Run, diskmgmt.msc

Does your drive show up there? If so, you can right-click on an unallocated space and create a partition.

 

[JillC]

Sorry mrees, I didn't notice your question tacked on the end until just now. It's a bit obscure but is in the Windows Help.

Go to Control Panel
Select Administrative Tools
Select Computer Management
Storage
Disk Management

You should see your Local Drive (C listed as basic
You'll also see any other drives like pen drives or CD-ROM and your external drive. Your external drive needs to be partitioned - right-click in the side box and select new logical drive and select partition. Choose the size of the partition if you want to split the drive. You should then be able to follow the prompts on the screen.

Good luck.

Jill.