System crash with SmartDisk Firelite 80gb external HDD

Bulletproof · 07-09-2006, 08:35 AM

Hi,

I have just reformatted my hard drive, I had backed up my files on the external hard drive, 80gb SmartDisk Firelite HDD with USB connection. I have reformatted and backed up files for this laptop before in the same way, but this time, when I plug in the external hard drive, the system crashes. No functions work except the long hold of the on/off button. Other USB devices work fine in the same ports on this laptop, and the external HDD works fine on other computers, there just seems to be an issue with this laptop and the drive. Also Windows will not start if the external drive is plugged in on startup.

It is a plug and play device with no drive download available for XP which I'm running, so don't know what else to do? Any advice please?

**Terrister** · 07-09-2006, 09:49 AM

Have you loaded the motherboard drivers for your computer?
Please post make and model of the computer or motherboard.

ceri sheeran · 07-09-2006, 03:18 PM

Hi,

if the external drive is only USB powered. Then your laptop may not be able to provide enough power even when running on mains.

Try using a powered USB hub or if the hard drive has a separate power input connector, try using this as well as the USB for the data signal.

I have a WD external hard drive which needs two USB ports to run, or a single USB port and a separate power connector.

hth

Ceri

edit for spelling

Bulletproof · 07-10-2006, 04:13 AM

Thanks for the advice,

I had come across power issues to USB devices before, so I tried using a mains powered USB hub, this didn't solve the problem. The powered hub causes the system to crash when I plug that in, and I am sure the hub is on and plugged into the mains power supply, before anyone asks.

As for the motherboard, couldn't find the exact motherboard installed. All I can tell you is that my laptop came from a company which has now gone under! I have the Tiny Mediabook U64 - 3400+, model: N2922, if that helps at all ???

May need to transfer files by connecting the external drive to my desktop and transfer files to my laptop via ethernet cable. But, this still means I will have a problem with such USB devices, though smaller USB devices, i.e 1 gb mp3 players/flash drive, wireless mouse adaptor etc. work perfectly well.

Bulletproof · 07-25-2006, 03:58 PM

Well after two weeks of not being able to plug in my external hard drive directly in to my notebook or through a powered hub, and not even being able to plug in the powered hub without the system crashing, it just started working, all by itself, on the millionth attempt, and it was nothing I did. I swear, sometimes this thing has a comedic or maybe more probably, sadistic, 'mind' of it's own! But it's working!!... for now.

**Ralck** · 07-25-2006, 04:48 PM

I hope it continues to work for you! If it fails again though, post back with the new symptoms and we can try to help figure out what is wrong again.

07-09-2006, 08:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bulletproof Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6 OS: XP	System crash with SmartDisk Firelite 80gb external HDD Hi, I have just reformatted my hard drive, I had backed up my files on the external hard drive, 80gb SmartDisk Firelite HDD with USB connection. I have reformatted and backed up files for this laptop before in the same way, but this time, when I plug in the external hard drive, the system crashes. No functions work except the long hold of the on/off button. Other USB devices work fine in the same ports on this laptop, and the external HDD works fine on other computers, there just seems to be an issue with this laptop and the drive. Also Windows will not start if the external drive is plugged in on startup. It is a plug and play device with no drive download available for XP which I'm running, so don't know what else to do? Any advice please?

07-09-2006, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Have you loaded the motherboard drivers for your computer? Please post make and model of the computer or motherboard. __________________

07-09-2006, 03:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
ceri sheeran Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 285 OS: WINXP	Hi, if the external drive is only USB powered. Then your laptop may not be able to provide enough power even when running on mains. Try using a powered USB hub or if the hard drive has a separate power input connector, try using this as well as the USB for the data signal. I have a WD external hard drive which needs two USB ports to run, or a single USB port and a separate power connector. hth Ceri edit for spelling Last edited by ceri sheeran; 07-09-2006 at 03:19 PM.

07-25-2006, 04:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	I hope it continues to work for you! If it fails again though, post back with the new symptoms and we can try to help figure out what is wrong again. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

07-10-2006, 04:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bulletproof Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Thanks for the advice, I had come across power issues to USB devices before, so I tried using a mains powered USB hub, this didn't solve the problem. The powered hub causes the system to crash when I plug that in, and I am sure the hub is on and plugged into the mains power supply, before anyone asks. As for the motherboard, couldn't find the exact motherboard installed. All I can tell you is that my laptop came from a company which has now gone under! I have the Tiny Mediabook U64 - 3400+, model: N2922, if that helps at all ??? May need to transfer files by connecting the external drive to my desktop and transfer files to my laptop via ethernet cable. But, this still means I will have a problem with such USB devices, though smaller USB devices, i.e 1 gb mp3 players/flash drive, wireless mouse adaptor etc. work perfectly well.

07-25-2006, 03:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bulletproof Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Well after two weeks of not being able to plug in my external hard drive directly in to my notebook or through a powered hub, and not even being able to plug in the powered hub without the system crashing, it just started working, all by itself, on the millionth attempt, and it was nothing I did. I swear, sometimes this thing has a comedic or maybe more probably, sadistic, 'mind' of it's own! But it's working!!... for now.