I am using Transcend 250GB external HDD and since some weeks,my Win7 laptop is not detecting the drive. After plugging in, it takes a long time to flash a message asking me to format the drive before using it. I choose not to format so that I do not loose the data stored. I have tried the drive on WinXP too but it did not detect it even then. I tried to use RecoveRX tool of Transcend but even that tool did not detect the drive. Please suggest what to do.

is it external hard disk, try changing usb ports means keep it in another usb port & also try changing cables u are using to connect hdd

Hi Miguel...for removing the shortcuts....>>start>>Run>>cmd>>attrib -h -r -s /s /d K or F ( the drive of your HD) :\*.* for example K:\*.* >>Enter>>

It sounds as though your issue is one of in adequate power. Do both the external HDD have their own power source, or are they powered through USB? if they are powered through USB it may be that as soon as the second drive spins up to transfer the files, it overwhelms the limited power of the laptop. You can try it with the laptop plugged in (though this may not provide it with more power than the battery) or by purchasing a usb hub with its own external power source so that it is not drawing power from the laptop, or purchase an external hard drive with its own power source
The other option is simpler and free, and its to copy the files first to your laptops own HDD, then unplug the source external hard drive, and then plug in the drive you want to copy to, then transfer the files from your laptops hard drive. This will of course take twice as long, but will cost you nothing.

It is always possible to recover the data as long as you have the budget for it. If you take it into a shop they most likely will try to take the drive out of the case and hook it up to a computer using an adapter to see if that will work. If this does not resolve it you will have to send it into a specialty recovery shop.

Check that the USB cable can provide enough power to the hdd. Check that the USB port is powered. Older USB slots may not have enough power to run larger external HDDs, there you may require separate power to be plugged into the hdd. Are you using the original USB cable provided with the external HDD?

maybe its in the bios settings that set to first boot was your external hdd,,,open bios settings and set first boot to harddisk drive,to boot your primary hdd so your external will be now detect

This is because of the file system...Mac uses a different kind of file system, while windows uses a different one...
You need to format the hdd before using in windows machine...
because your HDD file system would have altered by MAC...
Now format the HDD from device manager and you will be able to see the HDD under windows explorer...

u may got installation cd for storage device.if not download software from www.transcend.uk  ......... otherwise try for this..

goto control panel...
then goto add hardware...
overthere check out for connectivity

There is a power consumption work-around untill a Y usb wire can be purchased; the main power cable must still be used at all times but this workaround should only remain temporary!!!
Simpletech should have included this so laptop users could use the drive as their capacity is better than the packaged slimmer simpletech portable backup drives for laptops, which does include the Y cable....
1) unplug usb while powered and unknown hardware is present on laptop...
2) turn power switch off from the external HDD...
3) return power switch to on from the external HDD...
4) plug in usb connection to laptop...
Autoplay should read from external HDD!!!
**** Save some $$$ and buy a Y shaped cable to provide sufficient amount of power from laptop usb
ports, cause it's necessary to use 2 of your ports to provide power in addition to the main power from HDD to wall****

ADONIS

Is the drive running when connecto to power ans PC?
Try it on another PC.
Check the power supply if it is operated from an external power supply.
It it is self powered via the USB then this is a possible problem- the PC power supply cannot cope - Removing other USB devices may help here