Yet another Ext HD failed to recognize prob.

cybilcora · 07-05-2006, 01:21 PM

New to this forum, need some input on this issue. I know you get ALOT of this type of problem, but I'll give a post a shot. I've made myself crazy over the last two weeks searching forums and trying to figure this out on my own.

OS: Windows XP Home all updates installed.
External HD: Western Digital My Book Essential edition 160 gb.

Ok I dunno why it's not working but it's really confusing me. HD worked fine when I first got it and many times after, definately pleased with it. When not in use, I'd leave it off and unplugged.

Noticed this problem after recently using CrapCleaner. I did not try to use my ext HD after that. Then over that weekend my BF brought over his "My Book" we plugged it in and nothing. No plug and play, nothing. Plugged mine into it. Same thing, nothing.

We took both our "My Books" to his place and we were able to access them ok on his PC, but for some reason windows plug and play will not recognise it on my own.

Soooo what I figured would fix what ever I did wrong was to reformatted and reinstalled windows. It needed it anyways. I then installed all the XP updates.

However, Plug and play is still not kicking in for it! I am not getting any pop up errors or yellow '?' or '!' in my device manager. No "New hardware found" systray pop up. Nothing happens when it's plugged in to my computer. However, pressing my ear to the external HD, I do hear the external drive spinning, stopping, spinning, stopping. Keeps going until I turn it off.

Solution Tried= my computer: right click manage: disk management with no luck.
I go to add new hardware and it's not picking up on it there either.

Also tried=
"Unplug ALL USB devices.
Open Device Manager.
View, Show Hidden Devices.
Uninstall all devices under USB Controllers.
Uninstall all devices under Storage Volumes. Say no to any reboot prompts until you are finished. Also, if a Storage Volume doesn't uninstall, ignore it and move to the next one.
If you have a yellow ? with unknown devices, uninstall all of the entries there as well.

When this is done, reboot TWICE.

Reconnect the USB devices and see if they're recognized properly."

It picks up the USB and installs the driver, but not the external hard drive.

Even changed the drive letter for my CD drive from E: to Q: (I have 1 partition on my Internal HD)

This is a plug and play item and there is no driver I can install for it. The autorun is on the external harddrive in the system folder. It's there, but I am just baffled as to what's wrong.

Yes I did contact Western Digital but they just repeat what the support help files say. I don't even think they read my email. Here is my initial email and the following questions they asked along with my responces.

-----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by First email to WD:

I am having issues with the drive. Plug and Play does not active when it is pluged into USB port. USB Ports are working fine. Checked Manage: Disk Management,its not shown there or under Device Manager: Disk Drives.
Hit the power button on the drive it works fine. Also tested it on BF's computer who has same model of his own, worked fine.

What can I do in order to get it to read?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Second Email to WD:

Are you hooking up your external hard drive to a USB hub?
Yes Right into the motherboard on the back of the computer.

are you plugging your external hard drive's A/C adapter into a power strip or directly into a wall socket?
Yes, it is not powered through a power strip or a generator, or a powersupply protection service.

Have you performed the latest Windows updates as well as updated all the device drivers on your computer?
Yes I have run all the updates, and attempted to updated all drivers including USB. None were found to need replacing.

Have you tried connecting your external hard drive's USB cable into a different USB port on your computer?
Yes, I used the printer USB port which worked for Printer. Still nothing. I even check the USB port with another plub and play item for a remote. Plug and play activated and recognised it.

When connected to a different port, do you have the same problem?
Yes.

Have you tried a different USB cable?
Yes.

Are you experiencing any other problems with USB devices on your computer?
No. As I said in my question letter, USB Ports are working fine.

-----------

That was sent on the 30th. Not heard anything back yet, and what with the holiday.

I don't want to do anything that could erase the drive, as I have things on it, and the drive still works on other computers. However I want it to be able to run it on my own PC.

Got any ideas on what I can do to windows so it will wake the hell up and read the drive?

I'm not sure what other info I can give here for a solution. Please ask and I'll supply you with the info to better help understand the situation.

Thank you in advanced.

**manic** · 07-05-2006, 02:58 PM

Here goes my 2 cents. First that crap cleaner you ran, I think that is
what you called it.,probably caused the problem. Not familiar with that
program. When it did what it did, it created a registry entry. Then you
formatted probably using the xp format function. Xp does not do a very
good job at formatting. I suggest you use something like kill disk to format
xp. If you notice, when you format with xp it takes about 1 or 2 minutes.
I just think it leaves to much residual reg entries and what not.
You may try reinstalling mobo drivers. That will reinstall usb, agp,,etc.
worth a shot.

**linderman** · 07-05-2006, 07:39 PM

I'll bet your BF is using Win XP Pro ???????

I dont wish to disagree with my colleague (Manic) but I dont believe Crap Cleaner is your problem >>>> I use crap cleaner on 10 office machines for over one year and have never had a problem i could remotely pin on CC cleaner.

I think your problem is more of a situtation relating to this:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=99815

the solution is going to be back up all your data (to your BF's machine or external drive) / wipe and erase your drive with boot & nuke (free in my signature) then use Partition magic 8.0 (trial version to partition & format your drive >>>> then your partition paramters will remain on YOUR external drive and not get messed with by windows

should you wish to act on any of this info; just let us know and we can help you proceed;

cybilcora · 07-10-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manic

Here goes my 2 cents. First that crap cleaner you ran, I think that is
what you called it.,probably caused the problem. Not familiar with that
program. When it did what it did, it created a registry entry. Then you
formatted probably using the xp format function. Xp does not do a very
good job at formatting. I suggest you use something like kill disk to format
xp. If you notice, when you format with xp it takes about 1 or 2 minutes.
I just think it leaves to much residual reg entries and what not.
You may try reinstalling mobo drivers. That will reinstall usb, agp,,etc.
worth a shot.

Yah I wasn't too familar with crap cleaner either until I read a few forums about cleaning away extra stuff in add remove programs.....or was it system tray icons? I forgot

I was researching those two problems at the same time. At any rate.
Kill disk would wipe out partitions on a drive also, wouldn't it?

I'd saved all my stuff on the internal hard drive partition before I reinstalled windows. I wasn't aware that in not killing all data on the entire hard drive it would prevent some reg entries from being cleaned away in a reformat/reinstall.

I'll have to look into reinstalling Motherboard drivers. I'm pretty sure that after I did the reformat/reinstall of windows that I had also reinstalled the drivers for my motherboard from the disk I have. I also ran a update USB drivers through as mentioned in my reply email to WD I'd posted.

Not to sound completely stupid, I'm still in the process of learning, but what is AGP?

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

I'll bet your BF is using Win XP Pro ???????

I dont wish to disagree with my colleague (Manic) but I dont believe Crap Cleaner is your problem >>>> I use crap cleaner on 10 office machines for over one year and have never had a problem i could remotely pin on CC cleaner.

I think your problem is more of a situtation relating to this:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=99815

the solution is going to be back up all your data (to your BF's machine or external drive) / wipe and erase your drive with boot & nuke (free in my signature) then use Partition magic 8.0 (trial version to partition & format your drive >>>> then your partition paramters will remain on YOUR external drive and not get messed with by windows

should you wish to act on any of this info; just let us know and we can help you proceed;

Nope BF is using same OS as I am, home edition. I know I know pro is the lesser of two evils ;) I've heard it before. I think home was cheaper at the time and we were having a competion of who would build a cheaper up to date computer from scratch on our own, or that was just what it turned into

So ok, you figure crap cleaner might not have caused the problem?

I didn't try to partition any drive at the time that the trouble with my external had occured. I'd partitioned my internal hard drive well before I'd gotten the Western Digital. And in the time of the external drive working, not once had I reformatted it. I did however move the autorun file from the "system" folder on the external drive which launches the plug and play install. So I fixed that at the boyfriends on his computer. ( However the simple fact my drive worked on his computer with the file moved from it's original placing means quite possibly that wasn't the real problem ) But when I got it back to my place it still wouldn't work.

The external doesn't really need to be partitioned when it's just a simple mass storage unit right? Is there some kind of benefit for having a mule drive that holds files and data (not working programs) partitioned?
I know that having my internal hard partitioned was a HUGE Boon because I can reinstall windows with out loosing my precious precious files of various crap I collected and squirrled away like a pack rat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Western Digital Tech Support

The drive works on your BF's computer or he has his own drive that works? By your email I am unsure. If the drive does not work on multiple computers the drive is defective and will need to be replaced.

It's both our external drives worked on his computer, and Both our external drives did not work on my computer. So the external drive is good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Western Digital Tech Support

If the drive is working on one system and not another then the problem is with the computer and not the external drive. You may have a USB driver conflict and you may need to uninstall and reinstall your USB drivers.

So from what Manic was saying and now WD concuring with that train of thought, it seems that would be my course of action. Now I just need to figure out what the first steps will be. I think I know, but I'm not 100% sure, since I don't do this sort of thing often.

Oh please forgive this plebeian newb.

Thank you both very much for your responces and information you share.

**linderman** · 07-10-2006, 06:27 PM

Hello: and continue with your patience >>>> you will get your problem solved

question #1: what is the file format on the external drive ?? NTFS or Fat32 I missed that if you so stated ??

Uninstalling your USB components is very easy >>>> go to your device manager >>> then go to USB Serial Bus Controllers >>>> expand that item by clicking on the "+" symbol next to the USB Serial Bus Controller
then right click on each entry starting at the very top one in the USB "stuff" and click properties >>> then click on the driver tab >>>> then click uninstall

after you have uninstalled them all >>>> do a complete reboot >>> never soft boot when working with drivers ! always full shutdowns !

upon restart windows windows should detect "new" usb components >>>> at that time go to your motherboard makers website and download page for your motherboard and get the newest USB driver package and install it

hopefully that will fix your woes

if not; there is a more involved way >>>> a win xp repair install >>>> the repair install will remove ALL windows system drivers from your system and leave all programs and data funtioning and untouched >>>> you will however need to reload all windows service pack if you have added them, all windows updates & patches from windows update site, and install all hardware drivers and motherboard chipset drivers again >>>> this will almost be just like a new windows install except all programs and data are still intact

here is a "How to" link

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

please dont hesitate to ask more questions

edit **** BTW: AGP = Accelerated Graphics Port = Video Card

**manic** · 07-11-2006, 04:35 AM

No need to put multiple partitions on your external drive. Unless you
want to.

cybilcora · 07-13-2006, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manic

Xp does not do a very
good job at formatting. I suggest you use something like kill disk to format
xp.

Does kill disk also wiped out all Partitions on a HD. Or can it format just one Partition?

cybilcora · 07-13-2006, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biostar USA FAQ

Question:
How can I get Windows to recognize USB 2.0 ports on the motherboard?
Answer:
For Windows 98SE/ME/2000, please download the appropriate USB 2.0 drivers from the Download Area on our web site. If you are using Windows XP, you must download and install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (please see Microsoft's web site for additional information). No additional drivers are needed.

I have service pack 2, but I am not seeing that I have service pack 1. Is there a difference between the two, or is SP2 a upgrade of SP1?

**manic** · 07-13-2006, 04:22 AM

You will have to select the partition to format. Sp2 is a upgrade from Sp1.

**linderman** · 07-13-2006, 02:39 PM

if you have SP-2 then you wont "see" sp-1 sp-2 has everything that sp-1 has and more therefore it overshadows sp-1

cybilcora · 07-13-2006, 04:00 PM

Wonderful, so I know that I don't have any drivers I can download now from Biostar cause they say if I have Xp and SP1(or SP2 the equivilant) no drivers are needed >.<
All my other USB products work and activate plug and play, but my Ext HD.
So if I remove all the USB drivers and need to reinstall them I'll be getting them off my Biostar MB disc or windows. :/

**Ralck** · 07-13-2006, 04:06 PM

You probably have tried this, but have you tried plugging the harddrive into another USB device and tried plugging another USB device into the port in question? Sometimes USB ports die or lose power, so we may be thinking it's the harddrive when in reality it's the port?

cybilcora · 07-14-2006, 08:29 AM

Oooh yes, I have tried that and I've also tried changing the USB Cable for ext. HD. I'm going to try the Win XP repair install Linderman suggested.

07-05-2006, 02:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,244 OS: xp	Here goes my 2 cents. First that crap cleaner you ran, I think that is what you called it.,probably caused the problem. Not familiar with that program. When it did what it did, it created a registry entry. Then you formatted probably using the xp format function. Xp does not do a very good job at formatting. I suggest you use something like kill disk to format xp. If you notice, when you format with xp it takes about 1 or 2 minutes. I just think it leaves to much residual reg entries and what not. You may try reinstalling mobo drivers. That will reinstall usb, agp,,etc. worth a shot. __________________

07-05-2006, 07:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	I'll bet your BF is using Win XP Pro ??????? I dont wish to disagree with my colleague (Manic) but I dont believe Crap Cleaner is your problem >>>> I use crap cleaner on 10 office machines for over one year and have never had a problem i could remotely pin on CC cleaner. I think your problem is more of a situtation relating to this: http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=99815 the solution is going to be back up all your data (to your BF's machine or external drive) / wipe and erase your drive with boot & nuke (free in my signature) then use Partition magic 8.0 (trial version to partition & format your drive >>>> then your partition paramters will remain on YOUR external drive and not get messed with by windows should you wish to act on any of this info; just let us know and we can help you proceed; __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

07-10-2006, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Hello: and continue with your patience >>>> you will get your problem solved question #1: what is the file format on the external drive ?? NTFS or Fat32 I missed that if you so stated ?? Uninstalling your USB components is very easy >>>> go to your device manager >>> then go to USB Serial Bus Controllers >>>> expand that item by clicking on the "+" symbol next to the USB Serial Bus Controller then right click on each entry starting at the very top one in the USB "stuff" and click properties >>> then click on the driver tab >>>> then click uninstall after you have uninstalled them all >>>> do a complete reboot >>> never soft boot when working with drivers ! always full shutdowns ! upon restart windows windows should detect "new" usb components >>>> at that time go to your motherboard makers website and download page for your motherboard and get the newest USB driver package and install it hopefully that will fix your woes if not; there is a more involved way >>>> a win xp repair install >>>> the repair install will remove ALL windows system drivers from your system and leave all programs and data funtioning and untouched >>>> you will however need to reload all windows service pack if you have added them, all windows updates & patches from windows update site, and install all hardware drivers and motherboard chipset drivers again >>>> this will almost be just like a new windows install except all programs and data are still intact here is a "How to" link http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm please dont hesitate to ask more questions edit ** BTW: AGP = Accelerated Graphics Port = Video Card __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be!** Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 07-10-2006 at 06:30 PM.

07-11-2006, 04:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,244 OS: xp	No need to put multiple partitions on your external drive. Unless you want to. __________________

07-13-2006, 04:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,244 OS: xp	You will have to select the partition to format. Sp2 is a upgrade from Sp1. __________________

07-13-2006, 02:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	if you have SP-2 then you wont "see" sp-1 sp-2 has everything that sp-1 has and more therefore it overshadows sp-1 __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

07-13-2006, 04:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
cybilcora Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP home	Wonderful, so I know that I don't have any drivers I can download now from Biostar cause they say if I have Xp and SP1(or SP2 the equivilant) no drivers are needed >.< All my other USB products work and activate plug and play, but my Ext HD. So if I remove all the USB drivers and need to reinstall them I'll be getting them off my Biostar MB disc or windows. :/

07-13-2006, 04:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	You probably have tried this, but have you tried plugging the harddrive into another USB device and tried plugging another USB device into the port in question? Sometimes USB ports die or lose power, so we may be thinking it's the harddrive when in reality it's the port? __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

07-14-2006, 08:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
cybilcora Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP home	Oooh yes, I have tried that and I've also tried changing the USB Cable for ext. HD. I'm going to try the Win XP repair install Linderman suggested.