Portable HDD problem, pls help ...

wenx · 5th June 2005

Hi, I just purchased a Samsung 40Gb 2.5" HDD. The strange thing is, after I put it into my casing, my laptop (using XP) can't seems to detect the HDD.

I am sure my USB port isn't spoilt as it works well with other devices. I am also sure that I placed the HDD correctly into the casing too.

So, what else could be the problem? Any advices to resolve this?

Many thanks to you ...

digistar · 5th June 2005

try insert both USB connectors to ur notebook, do not move the cable & the drive during data transfer.

satan_18349 · 5th June 2005

Is your USB 1.1 or 2.0?

ykia · 5th June 2005

Might be a initialization or power issue:

Is the HDD initialized? You'll need to go to Control Panel>Computer Admin>Disk Mgmt>rt click on the correct HDD>Initialize.

Power: Some USB ports don't supply enough current to power-up the HDD, you'll hear a faint regular clicking sound. If you have a Y cable, you'll need both USBs connected. If you only have one USB port, you'll need to connect the power to the PS-2 keyboard/mouse port.

haohan · 5th June 2005

goto disk management (ctrl panel -> admin tools -> computer mgmt), initialise, partition, then format. that should do it.

jc1 · 5th June 2005

Originally Posted by wenx

Hi, I just purchased a Samsung 40Gb 2.5" HDD. The strange thing is, after I put it into my casing, my laptop (using XP) can't seems to detect the HDD.

I am sure my USB port isn't spoilt as it works well with other devices. I am also sure that I placed the HDD correctly into the casing too.

So, what else could be the problem? Any advices to resolve this?

Many thanks to you ...

Hi,
What's brand & model of your labtop?

wenx · 5th June 2005

Digistar: I will try that method and post the result online.

Satan18349: Mine is USB 2.0

ykia: I tried your first method but after i go into disk mgmt, I can't locate my HDD. Nothing there except my C drive.

Haohan: I tried but can't locate my HDD.

jc1: Mine is Toshiba Satellite.

Thanks for all your responses ...Ha, very very helpful indeed. I will try to plup in 2 connectors into 2 USB and see how it goes...Thanks!

wenx · 6th June 2005

Sigh... after trying all the methods that are provided by you guys, I still couldn't manage to detect my HDD. Looks like I need to make a trip down to Sim Lim today again...

jbma · 6th June 2005

Check the jumper on the hard disk. Make sure it is set to 'Master' or 'Single Drive'. Once you've changed the jumper setting try pluggin it into the USB port again. It should work.

bwilly · 6th June 2005

I got the same harddisk as you.
Also encounter the same problem.

1) get your pc to ID the drive (hopefully you running XP?)
2) it will appear as a USB drive in your device manager but not under
"my computer"
3) under device manager, right click properties, and reinstall USB driver
4) once done, then do a format either using FAT32 or NTFS.
5) If you do not have norton partition magic, go to your control panel
6) look for computer admin tools
7) click computer management
8) click storage, format from there.

no need any jumper setting since you are using it as a USB device.
leave it as it is.

bwilly · 6th June 2005

Another thing is make sure your laptop support USB 2.0
and if you plug in any usb port extension, those must be USB 2.0, if not
(USB 1.1) will slow down your harddisk.

espn · 6th June 2005

Check under Disk Management did it detect your HDD as an empty drive, if so, format it and assign a drive letter.

5th June 2005	#1
wenx Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 505	Portable HDD problem, pls help ... Hi, I just purchased a Samsung 40Gb 2.5" HDD. The strange thing is, after I put it into my casing, my laptop (using XP) can't seems to detect the HDD. I am sure my USB port isn't spoilt as it works well with other devices. I am also sure that I placed the HDD correctly into the casing too. So, what else could be the problem? Any advices to resolve this? Many thanks to you ...

5th June 2005	#4
ykia Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PunggolJetty.Com Posts: 892	Might be a initialization or power issue: Is the HDD initialized? You'll need to go to Control Panel>Computer Admin>Disk Mgmt>rt click on the correct HDD>Initialize. Power: Some USB ports don't supply enough current to power-up the HDD, you'll hear a faint regular clicking sound. If you have a Y cable, you'll need both USBs connected. If you only have one USB port, you'll need to connect the power to the PS-2 keyboard/mouse port. __________________ Kopi Session (when time permits) at 100AW, Blk 639, Punggol Drive

5th June 2005	#2
digistar New Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 22	try insert both USB connectors to ur notebook, do not move the cable & the drive during data transfer.

5th June 2005	#3
satan_18349 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: hell 極樂世& Posts: 1,505	Is your USB 1.1 or 2.0?

5th June 2005	#5
haohan New Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 25	goto disk management (ctrl panel -> admin tools -> computer mgmt), initialise, partition, then format. that should do it.

6th June 2005	#8
wenx Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 505	Sigh... after trying all the methods that are provided by you guys, I still couldn't manage to detect my HDD. Looks like I need to make a trip down to Sim Lim today again...

6th June 2005	#9
jbma Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampines Posts: 3,315	Check the jumper on the hard disk. Make sure it is set to 'Master' or 'Single Drive'. Once you've changed the jumper setting try pluggin it into the USB port again. It should work.

6th June 2005	#10
bwilly Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Woodlands Posts: 1,835	I got the same harddisk as you. Also encounter the same problem. 1) get your pc to ID the drive (hopefully you running XP?) 2) it will appear as a USB drive in your device manager but not under "my computer" 3) under device manager, right click properties, and reinstall USB driver 4) once done, then do a format either using FAT32 or NTFS. 5) If you do not have norton partition magic, go to your control panel 6) look for computer admin tools 7) click computer management 8) click storage, format from there. no need any jumper setting since you are using it as a USB device. leave it as it is.

6th June 2005	#12
espn Deregistered Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Planet Nikon Posts: 22,045	Check under Disk Management did it detect your HDD as an empty drive, if so, format it and assign a drive letter.