What is usb harddisk - Computers & Internet

Have you tried the harddisk on another computer to make sure it is functional? It can also be related to one of the following things:
1. If the harddisk is formatted for MAC and you use windows it might not show up unless you install special software.
2. The USB outlet on the computer might be faulty (try another one).
3. The cable might not work. In time they can break inside without any exterior signs.
4. Are you sure the harddisk is receiving power or is it supposed to get that through the USB cable? If it is, then the voltage in the USB on the computer, might not be high enough. Then check if there is an USB with yellow interior. That will have more juice than the rest.

When you opened this enclosure, you probably noticed the harddisk inside. If it is the circuitboard of this harddrive which needs to be replaced, you should look for the manufacturer of the hardddisk (Seagate, Western Digital, Toshiba, or Samsung) , the type of harddisk and it's manufacturing date. With this data you can try to find a used harddisk at i.e. eBay.

When it's just the circuitboard of the enclosure, which connects the harddisk to your USB-port of the PC, you're more lucky, since you can buy for about 15 USD a new USB-enclosure at i.e. eBay incl. shipment.

This is an external HDD, right ? In such case it's good to realise, such devices are a combination of an external USB enclosure and an internal SATA Harddisk. Maybe the harddisk is still OK, but the PCB (print with all tiny electronic components soldered at it) is defective. In such case you can overcome your problem by simply buying a new USB enclosure (even non-name will do) and put your harddisk in it.
To check if the harddisk is damaged, you should remove this by opening the Iomega casing and connect this disc inside a PC to it's motherboard. If the harddisc is working again, you're lucky. If not, than even the harddisk is damaged. If this is, and the data at your disc is important, you can try to source a identical harddisk (brand, type and productiondate) and transplant it's PCB. But, I can asure you, this last option is a tricky step.

So, you mean it does make noises and has problems nowadays ? If it does, it probably means there's a serious problem going on at your harddisk. Making sound often refers to a bad motor or even heads, which are crashing at the silicon platters.

Maybe the harddisk does get spinning, which you will notice immediately, if you hold the HDD in your hand. The gyroscopic effect of the rotating platters makes the harddisk feel a little heavier. If there's no strange noise, then please check the datacable, if it is connected to the harddisk. If it is, you even should study the connector at the disk, when unplugged. Check if the connector is still firmly connected to the PCB(*) of the harddisk.
(*) PCB is the small printboard where all tiny electronic components are soldered to.

If this is an external harddisk, built into an USB-enclosure, you might consider to switch it to another USB-enclosure. Maybe there's a malfunction in the electronics of this USB-enclosure. If you don't have an enclosure at hand, you can still built it into your computer, for further testing.

Sory to report - from Western Digital support site

Uses SES Drivers
7, Vista, XP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Supported
Server 2008, Server 2003, 2000 Server, 2000, ME, 98SE, 98, 95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Win 98 is not a supported OS, for that drive.

hello

connect the USB external hard disk to usb port by the way disconnect other working harddisks
available on the system, boot the system with bootable cd/floppy go to command prompt and run
chkdsk on this drive

Also download "mbrfix" connect all working harddisks along with the nondetecting harddisk and run mbrfix for the USB defective harddisk

Try using different USB data transfer cable, if power source adapter is used check for rated power output in multimeter for this adapter, if found defective replace it with new/good adapter with same
specifications

Bad luck if harddisk controller has failed you have to go in for new harddisk

GOOD LUCK ooo

Do you still have the problem?
In BIOS setup go to the Boot section and move the cursor down to the harddisk line.
If you started your PC with the USB device connected, the Harddisk line should have a "+" to the left.
Press enter on the Harddisk line and move to the USB.. line.
Press F6 to move it upward.
Do the same to move the Harddisk line to the top before the CD/DVD line.
Save the settings and rebootReboot, and it should boot on the USB device.
I have an Acer Aspire 1640Z, and I use a USB key to install UBUNTU Linux

I would recommend trying the fix on this page if you are running Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196

For getting data off of old hard drives, a USB to IDE/PATA connector is a wonderful tool. My favorite is like this one, with a dual head - one side for 3.5" & 5.25" IDE drives and the other for 2.5" IDE drives. That covers the vast majority of older consumer-level equipment.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1871517&CatId=3770

Just hook your old drive to a device like this, then plug it into your USB port. It will automatically show up as an extra drive so you can copy the data off.

please give some more details on the machine and OS u are using, sounds like you have got windows installed and the external harddisk is being recognized as an unknown hardware device.
you may face following problems:

- either you need special drivers for it suiting to the windows version u are using(google!)
- or your PC still has only the 1.1 USB ability
but the external hd is 2.0 USB and that's producing trouble

anyway

in windows XXX:
-make sure you are logged in as an administrator
-then you may try to find the harddisk using the windows explorer or
-left-click'start' goto 'system' then 'hardware'. double-click now and perform a search for new hardware
- does windows find the harddisk now?
- let it install the drivers, unplug usb-device, reboot, reconnect and now it can be found like any other harddrive

good luck - if still facing the problem, please post another request on fixya and give more details on your pc and the harddisk..