Unable to detect portable hard disk

[Speedpass]

My PC is unable to show my portable hard disk icon when i try to look for it in the my computer menu .

 

Any idea how to solve tis fault .

 

Anyway , i m able to remove the disk by click the safely remove hardware icon , but the icon juz doesnt show up in my computer .

[redbeacon]

(Paiseh, this is Windows Vista but the menu is almost the same as what one will see when using XP)

 

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4483/removedeviceoj5.jpg

 

When you single-click the Device Removal tray icon, you should be presented with a menu with the drives letter listed. In my case for example, my portable hard drive is given drive letters of O: , M: and Q:.

 

If your portable drive isn't issued at least a drive letter, chances are, your computer didn't properly initialize it. Disconnect it, physically disconnect it and plug it back in. If it still happens, your portable hard disk is corrupt.

[Speedpass]

Originally posted by redbeacon@April 15, 2007 06:38 pm

(Paiseh, this is Windows Vista but the menu is almost the same as what one will see when using XP)

 

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4483/removedeviceoj5.jpg

 

When you single-click the Device Removal tray icon, you should be presented with a menu with the drives letter listed. In my case for example, my portable hard drive is given drive letters of O: , M: and Q:.

 

If your portable drive isn't issued at least a drive letter, chances are, your computer didn't properly initialize it. Disconnect it, physically disconnect it and plug it back in. If it still happens, your portable hard disk is corrupt.

My hard disk has a drive letter to it , but it doesnt show up on the menu . But when i plug it to a mac , it works .

[redbeacon]

Are you able to browse your hard disk's contents by manually entering its drive letter from the Start > Run menu?

 

Try giving your portable drive another drive letter using Computer Management** and restart your computer.

 

It's very hard to pinpoint the problem for such as small hiccup like this. In my experience with workstations, this happens because there might be other programs installed on your computer that may be causing Windows XP to misbehave.

 

** Right click "My Computer" and choose "Manage"

[Speedpass]

Using the management button , it showas the hdd is working properly .

 

Its juz tat no hdd icon appear in the my computer menu for me to click on .

[gohjohan]

My remove hardware safely icon disappears sometimes. In the end, have to wait for PC to safely shutdown and then remove the items

[bo mai lah]

i recently purchased a portable hd n had the same prob as u. it seems tat u cant use a usb hub to pluck in hd. u have to pluck it in directly to ur main usb port. hope tis little info helps

[redbeacon]

In his case, the computer actually "saw" his hard drive since it appeared under "safely remove hardware icon". It even appeared under Computer Management

 

Have you tried to change the drive letter that corresponds to your drive yet?

[Speedpass]

Originally posted by redbeacon@April 17, 2007 10:12 pm

In his case, the computer actually "saw" his hard drive since it appeared under "safely remove hardware icon". It even appeared under Computer Management

 

Have you tried to change the drive letter that corresponds to your drive yet?

How to change the drive name ? Cos under the safely remove hardware icon , the hdd onli appear as USB mass storage device .

 

Anyway , looks like no way to format it rite ?

[redbeacon]

You can format it...if that's your last viable choice.

 

Like I've said, there might be several reasons why this is happening. But it's difficult to pinpoint. My first guess, in layman's terms, would be that some program or hardware in Windows XP stole your portable drive's drive letter.

 

Anyways, here's what I meant about assigning your drive a different drive letter:

 

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1386/snag022es7.gif

 

When a selection box appears, click the [Change...] button. Give your drive another drive letter, [OK] everything, and restart the computer.

[gohjohan]

i recently purchased a portable hd n had the same prob as u. it seems tat u cant use a usb hub to pluck in hd. u have to pluck it in directly to ur main usb port. hope tis little info helps

 

I found a possible answer to that problem. Could be the USB Hub's not supplying enough power to power the portable hard drive. I got that from my future brother-in-law

[Mark Ng]

tried updating drivers? and check your registry.

[IvikaRazI]

There has always been a problem of compatibility between MAC and Wndows XP. It should work if you format you HDD in Windows XP. But before formatting, PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

 

- MAC OS is using HFS

- Windows XP is using NTFS

 

So please format your HDD in WIndows XP to NTFS or FAT32. Best to format the HDD to FAT32. This will make it compatible with both machines.

[redbeacon]

There has always been a problem of compatibility between MAC and Wndows XP. It should work if you format you HDD in Windows XP. But before formatting, PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

 

- MAC OS is using HFS

- Windows XP is using NTFS

 

So please format your HDD in WIndows XP to NTFS or FAT32. Best to format the HDD to FAT32. This will make it compatible with both machines.

Very informative indeed. I betcha Windows (and Mac) users don't know about this.

 

As an aside, I would like to share an encounter with ya guys:

 

I was in a reputable Apple shop when I overheard a conversation between a satisfied Mac customer and a jovial Mac salesman helping him setup his new notebook:

 

==================

 

Mac-knowledgeable Customer: ...so yeah, my [Mac] computer did suffer problems before. Had it sent to Sim Lim so many times.

 

Salesman: Hmm, so what happened?

 

Customer: A lot. Random-timing sudden shutdowns and restarts, system kernel panics...So I had it brought to a shop at Sim Lim.

 

(Customer lets out a sigh at this point...)

 

Customer: The technician of this shop actually recommended a full reformat just to solve the problem. That's an abrupt solution and a lazy way to diagnose the problem but never mind that.

 

Salesman: Okay, so it's...

 

Customer interrupting: Somemore, do you know what that lousy guy did? He actually went and format my hard drive. I never wanted that but since no important work inside so I proceed loh...Again never mind that.

 

Salesman: Haiz...If I were you... (shaking his head in unison)

 

Customer: Format without my permission never mind...My computer still cannot boot-up properly. After many troubleshooting steps done, I found out that that stupid fella format my Macintosh (hard drive) to NTFS.

 

=====================

 

At that point of time, I couldn't take it anymore, I went home with extreme cramping on my waists