USB HDD's not recognized 1

[Odyssey]

I have several USB HDD's but they are "reluctant". I mean by that, when they are plugged in, a Windows message comes up that says "Found new hardware....", another that has a message that using a 2.0 port would be faster, etc. but the drives never show up in My Computer.

Device manager shows a yellow exclamation mark in front of the "USB Mass Storage Device". I can uninstall it by right clicking, but the drive still does not install.

Any suggestions on how to get Windoze to recognize them? TIA

Dell Dimension 4700 with XP Home

 

[spamjim]

This can sometimes happen if the drive is mechanical (it spins, not SSD) and your USB connection does not have enough power. This is corrected by plugging in a separate power supply to the external drive or by obtaining a special USB cable that plugs into two of your USB ports on the computer to get power from two ports instead of one.

 

[spamjim]

...and this scenario is much more likely on an older USB1 port, like what you appear to have.

 

[BadBigBen]

as mentioned, it is usually a power issue, where the drives do not get enough power to function correctly...

this can be alleviated by the use of the NON-USB Standard cable, mentioned, or by the use of an external power source, or even through a powered HUB (these usually deliver more mA than the mainboard USB)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[Odyssey]

Thanks for these, here is more info which might lead us to other possible solutions?

All except the Passport have power bricks (which are plugged into power source. All are plugged into the rear
USB ports. I always use the arrow (if it is there) to stop drives before removing while computer is running

Have uninstalled in USB controllers in Device Mgr and restarted. One of the drives is now seemingly "installed" and shows in My Computer. But when you open it, there is nothing in the window and the computer freezes, or if you right click and select properties, it freezes all activity and the Task Mgr must be used to shut down.

 

[Odyssey]

Also the 4700 rear ports are USBG 2.0

 

[Odyssey]

Have run the fix at:

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

and the Cavalry drive is now recognized.

Will now try the others and if any difficulties, will assume that it is drive related.

If I can't resolve it, I'll come back.

Many thanks.

 

[Sympology]

If it doesn't work, check with the manufacturer of your pc / motherboard that you have the latest drivers, often labled Chipset updates or Mainboard updates.

Most people spend their time on the "urgent" rather than on the "important."