I have a 320 Western Digital external drive. It works fine if I plug it directly into the computer usb drive. HOwever, I want to use it thru a hub cause it is difficult to get to the back of my computer. It does not work thru the hubs. Any suggestions??

sounds like the drive went bad have also try a different usb port make sure you are using one directly connected to the laptop/pc not thru a usb hub

The obvious question first is the drive connected with the provided AC adapter?

Are you connecting it directly to a USB port or powered USB Hub? This is not important in external hard drives but it does on portable HD. But just in case keep this in mind.


Other thing is that you have to install the WD Smartware software.

If nothing works, try it on another computer.

If it works, must be a USB port problem.

God Bless You!

HI, YOU MAY WANT TO TRY, REMOVE SECURITY FROM WITHIN THE SMARTWARE, THEN AND AS ALWAYS, MAKE SURE THAT THE DRIVE, WHEN BEING CONNECTED/DISCONNECTED, THAT THE PC IS COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN.............. I HOPE THIS HELPS.........JEFFXC

If you got a USB casing for that, it would have come with a USB and power cable. Yes, power too!

Plug the power, and make sure you have a USB 2.0 hi-speed port. Also check "computer management" and check the hard disk works.

Every time windows tells you to format the drive, copy your data to your computer then format it. when windows detect problems on the drive, it will launch ckdsk, well i dont know hoy to fix it, try plugging it in then reboot.

Buy an External USB 2.0 Hub with the 5.0V power supply. I have a TARGUS 4 Port Hub. MY WD2500XMSB works fine thru the HUB, but will not work using any cable (even the one that came with it) when directly connected to the USB port on my computer. The power consumption of passports sometimes exceeds the .5 milliwat rating for the ports and ccause the port power to interrupt (see USB 2.0 specifications). The external hubs with external power have a higher power output usually an can power the passport drives. CW Rumsey

I devised these simple steps that tend to remedy quite a few issues with most USB portable / external hard drives and devices (though not always)

A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems similar steps may be adapted to suit.

1. Ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability

2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer. Not all USB cables are equal even though they should be)

3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.

4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply Don’t use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating e.g. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly.

5. Always use the same port for connecting your devices. Some devices do not like being switched about. If switched they may want to install software / drivers again. This can be especialy true if you move a HUB to another port

If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues then check your hardware from CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM / HARDWARE.

Any exclamation marks by hardware need fixing before you investigate any further

It is also possible that if the port you are using gets a lot of frequent use than it may need a little TLC with a fine tipped soldering iron.

Quick checks of the drive itself can be done by removing it from its enclosure and connecting it directly to a comuter that has the correct interface. If you can read and use the drive then you know it is not that.
If you cannot use the drive in any way and esp. if you hear clicking or pinging then the drive is almost certainly dead or dying.

First check your usb port of computer and usb csable are working fine.
Then go to my computer proeprty then hardware then device manager then uninstall all usb drivers then restart the computer then check

if u are using a external hard disk case with the normal hard disk
try connecting your hard disk with a new casing.
if it is made as a external hard disk change the cable .
because after a few time usage the cable will not be quite good as new.
After inserting the usb cable in your pc if it shows any warning
information, or any message just give me that too for exact solution