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tazz_dbsk
tazz_dbsk asked in Computers & InternetHardwareLaptops & Notebooks · 1 decade ago

hard drive wont show up on my computer?

my sister's bf lend me his hard drive and i want to to transfer pictures on to it, the problem is, when i connect the hard drive via USB to my laptop, the hard drive doesnt show up or anything. It made a sound like it was being connected but nothing happens.

i have then disconnected and tried again twice but nothing happens. What should i do? i dont want to accidentally delete all my sister's bf work or ruin his hard drive but it wont work.

Thanks for any help!

6 Answers

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  • ebox1349
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    How big is this hard drive?

    Over 40Gb and there is insufficient power in a single USB socket to power the drive unit.

    If the external drive is mains powered then it is no problem as long as you have the charger to plug it in with, but if it is "self" powered it will have just a USB cable. This cable should have three USB connections - two on one end linked together and one at the other. The double ends need to go into the Laptop (not a Hub but the powered ports from the laptop) and the other into the drive case. What you then get is double power as each port has 5v (giving you 10v) and this will power most drives up to around 650Gb (depends on the make, model and also the case). Plugging the two ends into a USB hub only shares the 5v between the multiple ports, and unless the hub is mains powered this is not sufficient to power the drive.

    Source(s): 20+ Years Experience - Senior Technician - Electronbox Mijas, España Intel Channel Partner and a Member of the Microsoft Partner Network.
  • Spd
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Two things to check.

    First have you restarted the computer with the Hard Drive attached? Sometimes this fixes the issue and then the computer can find the Hard Drive.

    Second, check the brand of the Hard Drive. Most external hard drives do not need additional drivers to function on most computers, but this might not be a case of "most." Go to the manufacturer's website and see if there are any available drivers to address your specific External Hard Drive.

  • Kurt
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    The problem might be that you are using a laptop. If the drive does not have its own power supply, then it relies on the USB port for power, and there might not be enough. Try another USB port, or try a USB hub with its own power supply. If it will work on a desktop, it will work on your laptop if given sufficient power.

  • Joeee
    1 decade ago

    Could be a power surge in one of the USB hubs. Try putting it into a different USB slot.

  • Insane_mad_maniak
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    start

    control panel

    select classic view

    Administrative tools

    Computer management

    Storage

    disk management

    right click on the drive that isnt showing up and select, change drive letter. change the drive letter to something else, and it should show up in my computer.

  • ?
    1 decade ago

    right click on the safe to remove tool on the taskbar and stop all devices that was last plugged in....always use this tool to unplug storage ares or you could end up crashing it

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