western digital external drive connection problem...?

Gath OoLong · 08-17-2008, 03:39 AM

hi everyone,

Im pretty new to this computer thing outside of the basics (and even still my problems arent exactly "advanced" in ANY way)...I just started "fooling around" with it in the last year or so...
I recently bought a western digital external drive to back up "important" files to maximize the space on my hard drive and honestly, since I pulled it out of the packaging its been kind of a nightmare. I even put in for a warranty replacement drive, but THAT drive turned out to be worse than the original (it didnt allow me to name my own files and when it did they could only be of a certain length, I think 7 or 8 characters), so I sent it back.

Basically my MAIN problem is, I plug the drive in to the usb port and the light comes on, I can hear the drive working, the computer recognizes it, it appears, and then quickly disappears. It does this on/off basically until I disconnect it. It would happen less frequently when I started to use it but none the less its pretty much been a constant since I started using it. This used to happen less frequently, I actually DO have a good amount of files on the drive already, it disconnected once while I was transferring a couple files and really hasnt even stayed connected since then long enough for me to even open it back up.

Is there any way I can solve this problem?
I dont want to deal with "WD support" again, what should I do?

~~wiseleo~~ · 08-17-2008, 04:45 AM

Let's clarify :)

Are there any files you wish to recover from that drive or are we simply figuring out a way to make external drives work for you?

It could be as simple as your USB cable.

My recommendation for you would be to get a Firewire or eSATA controller card and not use USB for connecting to external drives. Most external drives these days also come with Firewire (1394) or eSATA ports in addition to USB ports. It would be faster. You can also get a USB controller card as well. Basically, we would stop using your on-board USB ports and that should resolve the problem.

It appears as if your USB controller on the motherboard may not be compatible with such devices. I doubt there is anything wrong with your drive, which is good. Just connect it to any other system or a laptop and get your data off it.

Gath OoLong · 08-18-2008, 02:46 AM

yeah the DRIVE is fine...I plugged it up to my moms mac and it works just like it should ("plug and play")...I dont need to get the files off I still have them all
I just really want my drive to WORK(!) thats the most important thing...

no its not the cable, the one that came wit the drive is actually the ONLY one that even allows an attempt at connection...I bought a y cable thinking that the extra power would boost the drive and help with connection but it turned out to be a waste of 7 bucks...

now about all these cards and cables you spoke of...
"WHAT?!???!?" what do those things do?
my little drive only has one hole and a little "usb shaped" cut out for the light that glows next to the hole when its connected. the hole looks like a razr charger plug hole (if that describes it at ALL then you really are a genius)

thanx for your help but Im a little MORE confused now...

~~wiseleo~~ · 08-18-2008, 04:44 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE - Pick a USB card from here. Insert it into your tower computer's PCI slot. It should auto-detect and work with no hassles.

If this is a laptop, pick a USB card from here - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

PCMCIA laptops use CardBus cards and ExpressCard laptops use ExpressCard cards.

They are quite cheap, but should solve this problem.

Gath OoLong · 08-20-2008, 11:33 PM

yeah man...thanx I may just do that

but if THAT doesnt work?...then what?

08-17-2008, 03:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gath OoLong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	western digital external drive connection problem...? hi everyone, Im pretty new to this computer thing outside of the basics (and even still my problems arent exactly "advanced" in ANY way)...I just started "fooling around" with it in the last year or so... I recently bought a western digital external drive to back up "important" files to maximize the space on my hard drive and honestly, since I pulled it out of the packaging its been kind of a nightmare. I even put in for a warranty replacement drive, but THAT drive turned out to be worse than the original (it didnt allow me to name my own files and when it did they could only be of a certain length, I think 7 or 8 characters), so I sent it back. Basically my MAIN problem is, I plug the drive in to the usb port and the light comes on, I can hear the drive working, the computer recognizes it, it appears, and then quickly disappears. It does this on/off basically until I disconnect it. It would happen less frequently when I started to use it but none the less its pretty much been a constant since I started using it. This used to happen less frequently, I actually DO have a good amount of files on the drive already, it disconnected once while I was transferring a couple files and really hasnt even stayed connected since then long enough for me to even open it back up. Is there any way I can solve this problem? I dont want to deal with "WD support" again, what should I do?

08-17-2008, 04:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: western digital external drive connection problem...? Let's clarify :) Are there any files you wish to recover from that drive or are we simply figuring out a way to make external drives work for you? It could be as simple as your USB cable. My recommendation for you would be to get a Firewire or eSATA controller card and not use USB for connecting to external drives. Most external drives these days also come with Firewire (1394) or eSATA ports in addition to USB ports. It would be faster. You can also get a USB controller card as well. Basically, we would stop using your on-board USB ports and that should resolve the problem. It appears as if your USB controller on the motherboard may not be compatible with such devices. I doubt there is anything wrong with your drive, which is good. Just connect it to any other system or a laptop and get your data off it.

08-18-2008, 02:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gath OoLong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: western digital external drive connection problem...? yeah the DRIVE is fine...I plugged it up to my moms mac and it works just like it should ("plug and play")...I dont need to get the files off I still have them all I just really want my drive to WORK(!) thats the most important thing... no its not the cable, the one that came wit the drive is actually the ONLY one that even allows an attempt at connection...I bought a y cable thinking that the extra power would boost the drive and help with connection but it turned out to be a waste of 7 bucks... now about all these cards and cables you spoke of... "WHAT?!???!?" what do those things do? my little drive only has one hole and a little "usb shaped" cut out for the light that glows next to the hole when its connected. the hole looks like a razr charger plug hole (if that describes it at ALL then you really are a genius) thanx for your help but Im a little MORE confused now...

08-18-2008, 04:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: western digital external drive connection problem...? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE - Pick a USB card from here. Insert it into your tower computer's PCI slot. It should auto-detect and work with no hassles. If this is a laptop, pick a USB card from here - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE PCMCIA laptops use CardBus cards and ExpressCard laptops use ExpressCard cards. They are quite cheap, but should solve this problem.

08-20-2008, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gath OoLong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: western digital external drive connection problem...? yeah man...thanx I may just do that but if THAT doesnt work?...then what?