External USB Hard Drive no longer works

  • Thread starter Thread starter rmo555
  • Start date Start date
R

rmo555

I have been using an external drive for backup - but as of today, I
cannot 'see' it in 'Computer.' It is turning, but not showing up on my
monitor. Is there any way I can check to see what the problem is? The
cables seem fine.
 
tried to power off everything & restart?
note that drive letter may change, whule drive itself might be still shown
except un der diff. letter.

tried connecting other external drives?
let us know
Click to expand...

Tried all those things.
 
Have you opened it up to see if the cables are still seated properly?
It is also possible that the power supply has failed and that there
might be enough juice to turn it, but not run the electronics (a long
shot, but possible).

External drives DO go bad also and this one may have just done that.

Q

--->
 
I have been using an external drive for backup - but as of today, I
cannot 'see' it in 'Computer.' It is turning, but not showing up on my
monitor. Is there any way I can check to see what the problem is? The
cables seem fine.
Click to expand...

What would happen if the hard drive was 'accidentally' shut off (during
or not during a backup)?
 
What would happen if the hard drive was 'accidentally' shut off (during
or not during a backup)?
Click to expand...

If that's what actually happened, it shouldn't cause it to crash.
There are ways to check out any hard drive, external or internal.
You have to determine the make and then check with the manufacturer's
website for the appropriate program.
Are you sure it wasn't filled?
Let us know, please.

Harry.
 
If that's what actually happened, it shouldn't cause it to crash.
There are ways to check out any hard drive, external or internal.
You have to determine the make and then check with the manufacturer's
website for the appropriate program.
Are you sure it wasn't filled?
Let us know, please.

Not filled - not even half.
Harry.
Click to expand...
 
I have been using an external drive for backup - but as of today, I
cannot 'see' it in 'Computer.' It is turning, but not showing up on my
monitor. Is there any way I can check to see what the problem is? The
cables seem fine.
Click to expand...

One more thing to try - discovering this cost me an hour a week or so
ago...

With the drive plugged in, go to Device Manager, open up Universal Serial
Bus Controllers, and see if a Mass Storage Device is disabled. If so,
enable it.
 
Try right clicking computer, then select manage. Then in the middle, select
storage,open it and open disk management. If it shows up as unallocated,
then you must prepare it, usually a format. If it does not show up, then it
can be a hardware problem. You can also open up device manager, also in
computer management, and right click and uninstall every usb device (and
hub), then scan for hardware changes and reinstall. Hope this helps.
 
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