EXTERNAL HARDDRIVE 160GB

Only a USB cable and a power supply from your local computer shop. Take the disk with you. Easy

Connect the cable directly to USB port, don't use a USB port hub because the energy isn't enough.

The external harddrive has a processing unit to compile and store data. A noice is expected as usually functionaily though much more noise is indication of porcessing of data into backup media files. Allow the computer some time soon after usage to achieve processes without powering off. Durign whihc time backup is attained.

There have been problems plaguing the LaCie external harddrives, for quite some time now.

The issue directly relates to the interface, inside the external enclosure. I don't know if you are acquainted with harddrive designs, or the interface that they plug into. If you are, disregard the following.

This is an average example of an IDE harddrive, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hard_drive-en.svg
Looking at this illustration, note where it points to -> IDE Connector. The illustration isn't very good, but those dots are metal pins.
The connection inside your external harddrive,
that connects to the harddrive itself, is called an Interface. This is a plug that has socket holes, to match those metal pins.

Now we go a little deeper. There are two types of harddrives. One is an IDE harddrive, the other type is a SATA harddrive. Your LaCie
will have a SATA harddrive inside.
Instead of the 40 pins that an IDE harddrive has, the interface for a SATA harddrive has 7.
(It has 15 pins for the power connection)

Now my solution:
Should you wish to save data that is on your LaCie external harddrive right now, I suggest you buy an external enclosure, (SATA), take out the hardrdive thats in your LaCie, and install it in the enclosure.

Since, the dimensions of the, LaCie design by Porsche 160GB external harddrive are:
Height -> 1.4 inches, (About 1-1/2 inches)
Width -> 4.4 inches, (About 4-1/2 inches)
Length -> 7.4 inches, (About 7-1/2 inches),
I'm willing to bet the harddrive inside is a desktop harddrive size. (3.5 inches across in width)
http://www.lacie.com/download/datasheet/porsche_hd_en.pdf

These are examples of 3.5 inch SATA external enclosures,
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2780&name=3.5-eSATA-enclosure&Nav=|c:2778|&Sort=0&Recs=10
(A $25 or $35 unit will work just fine)

go to my computer p[roperty then hardware -> device amnager then uninstall usb drivers from it then install aagain.
then connect your harddisk then it found.

When you say lock the drive are you asking to lock access to the drive entirely when you disconnect it from your computer no one can access your files if they find the drive and try to put it on their computer and open it,

i have the same problem

then due to over voltage in the external ports the harddisk cable might have got burnt or may be where you connect the cable to the harddisk there in the circuit board the pins might have got touched with one another and it may have got short circuited and it might have got burnt away ...

i think your harddisk will be under warranty still as it is new one so just make use of warranty and get the harddisk replaced from where you purchased ...

if you dont have the warranty then the harddisk is dead you cant make it work by anyway even if you contact the technician too he cant help because harddisks cant be repaired once it is removed it is gone ...

i am sure that your harddisk will be under warranty if you have buyed the new one ...

rate my solution

Is it a 3.5" or 2.5" drive?

If its a 3.5" the first thing I'd check is the fuse in the plug for the power supply (if you're in the UK)?

If changing the fuse doesn't work it could be a problem with the power pack within the external HDD. Is it under warranty? You my be able to get it repaired or a new one (Don't forget, if you open up the fasia of the hard drive you will void the warranty). I assume you're not worried about data on the drive as you are happy to format it. If you are worried about data and it isn't under warranty/garantee I can tell you how to get the data off if you need me to?

Hope this helps.

Your desktop usb compatibility is not supported your 160GB. The only way to attach you 160GB is to make it secondary partition to your primary drive by opening the CPU and attach it to your IDE cable.

Don't force yourself if you cannot do it by yourself just leave it to the expert. Probable cause to damage your hard drive if it is not installed properly.

Please rate me solved if you like my solution.


Best regards,


Philip