Windows doesn't recognise hard drive

spacemud · 05-21-2009, 04:18 PM

Hi. I've had an iomega 1tb hd for a few months now, and I've had no problems so far. However, one day after booting I found that windows suddenly doesn't recognise it.

Turning the drive on and off again (while the computer is running) results in an error that the hardware has malfunctioned. I've tested it with my laptop and it works fine. I've noticed that when I turn the drive off and on just before I boot, it works fine. However, before I started having problems with it, I didn't need to do this before booting.

I've checked all connections and they are all fine. I've noticed that occasionally when I do get it to work, it randomly 'disappears' while I'm working and requires me to reboot after turning it on and off again.

Disk Management doesn't seem to recognise it either. I'm using Windows XP, SP3.

Any ideas? This has been a pain for quite a while now so any input is appreciated. If you need any more info, please ask.

Thanks!

**Tyree** · 05-22-2009, 04:24 PM

Have you tried it in different USB ports on the PC? Are there any Yellow marks in the USB section of Device manager?

spacemud · 05-23-2009, 06:56 AM

Thanks for your reply.

I've tried it in several ports and I get the same problem.

There's no yellow marks in device manager either.

**Tyree** · 05-23-2009, 03:24 PM

Sounds like a defective unit. If it's still under warranty contact Iomega for an RMA. If it's out of warranty you can open the case, remove the drive and connect it via hdd to USB adapter to retrieve any data.
Moany of the failed pre-built externals I have seen has been a problem with the circuits in the housing and the drives have been good and they can be used in another external housing.

spacemud · 05-24-2009, 12:43 PM

As I said before the HDD works perfectly with my laptop every time, so are you sure it's not something I should tweak on my desktop?

I want to be very sure there's something wrong with it before I send it away for a replacement as there's some very important information I'd rather not lose on it.

Thanks for the help so far!

05-21-2009, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
spacemud Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Windows doesn't recognise hard drive Hi. I've had an iomega 1tb hd for a few months now, and I've had no problems so far. However, one day after booting I found that windows suddenly doesn't recognise it. Turning the drive on and off again (while the computer is running) results in an error that the hardware has malfunctioned. I've tested it with my laptop and it works fine. I've noticed that when I turn the drive off and on just before I boot, it works fine. However, before I started having problems with it, I didn't need to do this before booting. I've checked all connections and they are all fine. I've noticed that occasionally when I do get it to work, it randomly 'disappears' while I'm working and requires me to reboot after turning it on and off again. Disk Management doesn't seem to recognise it either. I'm using Windows XP, SP3. Any ideas? This has been a pain for quite a while now so any input is appreciated. If you need any more info, please ask. Thanks!

05-22-2009, 04:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,686 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Windows doesn't recognise hard drive Have you tried it in different USB ports on the PC? Are there any Yellow marks in the USB section of Device manager? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

05-23-2009, 06:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
spacemud Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Windows doesn't recognise hard drive Thanks for your reply. I've tried it in several ports and I get the same problem. There's no yellow marks in device manager either.

05-23-2009, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,686 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Windows doesn't recognise hard drive Sounds like a defective unit. If it's still under warranty contact Iomega for an RMA. If it's out of warranty you can open the case, remove the drive and connect it via hdd to USB adapter to retrieve any data. Moany of the failed pre-built externals I have seen has been a problem with the circuits in the housing and the drives have been good and they can be used in another external housing. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently. Last edited by Tyree; 05-23-2009 at 03:25 PM.

05-24-2009, 12:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
spacemud Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Windows doesn't recognise hard drive As I said before the HDD works perfectly with my laptop every time, so are you sure it's not something I should tweak on my desktop? I want to be very sure there's something wrong with it before I send it away for a replacement as there's some very important information I'd rather not lose on it. Thanks for the help so far!