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You could try using another USB port on your computer. Perhaps that USB port you have the IOmega external harddrive plugged into is bad.
More than likely not, though.
The problem is usually inside the IOmega's case. (External enclosure)
Inside that IOmega external harddrive's case is a regular harddrive as used in a desktop, or laptop computer. To explain;
Harddrives are physically rated in width, as well as type, and size. A laptop harddrive is 2.5 inches across in width. (2 and a half inches) A desktop harddrive is 3.5 inches.
The larger desktop harddrives are usually used in external harddrives that are 500GB, and larger. (Not always the case when it comes to the 500GB size)
Harddrives have two technologies, or types. IDE (PATA) or SATA.
You didn't state the Model Number so I can't even hazard a guess at this point.
The harddrive inside the case plugs into an Interface. The Interface may be separate, and connected via a cable to a small circuit board, or the Interface may be soldered directly to the small circuit board.
It is this Interface, and circuit board which go bad. The solution is to remove the harddrive inside, purchase an inexpensive external enclosure, and install the harddrive into it.
The external enclosure has a USB cable just like the IOmega external harddrive did.
As stated the harddrive inside is just a normal harddrive. Made by a harddrive manufacturer. Could be a Western Digital, or Seagate, or Hitachi, or Maxtor, or Fujitsu, or IBM, just to name a few. (Seagate bought out Maxtor)
On the harddrive will be a decal with it's specifications. You will also be able to physically measure the width.
This external hookup will support harddrives that are 2.5, or 3.5 inches in width, (And 5.25), plus will support both IDE (PATA) or SATA harddrives,
Other styles are listed in the Suggestions column down on the right. Not a good source for information on disassembling an IOmega external harddrive, but there is very little info available.
(It isn't that tough for any external harddrive enclosure. The screws are usually hidden under labels, and the case pops apart in two halves. Just a little different design here, and there)
For additional questions please post in a Comment. Regards, joecoolvette
Is this problem for an IOmega Prestige 500GB external harddrive?
While I wait for you to post in a Comment,
1) Inside that external harddrive's case, is a Harddrive just like what is used in a laptop computer. The harddrive's case measures 2.5 inches across in width. (2 and a half inches)
The harddrive is a SATA harddrive. (Serial ATA)
At one end of the harddrive is a series of connector pins. These pins plug into a female connector, or receptacle. The receptacle is called an Interface.
The Interface will have connections for Data, (Information), and Power. (Socket holes that match the pins on the SATA harddrive)
In the link above the data, and power connections for the Iomega external harddrive, will probably be a combined unit. As shown in the 8th illustration down, in the above link.
The Interface can be soldered directly to a circuit board, (PCB, or Printed Circuit Board), or will be attached to the circuit board through wires.
Usually it is the circuit board that is the problem. Components burn out, or circuit traces on the circuit board are burned apart. (Think of a circuit trace as being a very flat, thin copper wire)
There may be a situation where the harddrive itself has come loose from the Interface. Doesn't have to be very loose to make a bad connection, resulting in the external harddrive will not work.
My proposed solution:
Open the external harddrive's external enclosure, (Case), and see if you can see any readily apparent visual signs as stated above.
No visual signs that show you that you can just plug the Interface onto the harddrive, making a tight connection? Or plug the harddrive into the Interface, if the Interface is soldered to the circuit board? Or no obvious signs of blackened spots on the circuit traces?
It could be that one, or more I.C.'s are bad, and are not readily visible. (I.C. = Integrated Circuit)
Weigh buying a used Iomega Prestige 500GB USB 2.0 harddrive, and use it's circuit board, and external enclosure, against what a professional recovery service will want to recover your data. Not trying to be trite. Am asking you to weigh the costs.
One place that came up in a search just now, that is supposed to have used Iomega Prestige 500GB USB 2.0 external harddrives,
Remove the external harddrive from the stand. Remove labels for access to screws. The screws will probably be Torx screws. A star shaped recess in the screw head,
May be Philips head screws, but I'm betting on Torx. (Probably metric Torx also) You should be able to find a cheap set of Torx screwdrivers at an auto parts store. Perhaps just the bits to use in a 1/4 inch nutdriver.
Once the screws are removed the internal parts slide out of one end, or the case comes apart in two halves, and the ends come off. (Internal parts being the harddrive, and circuit board)
Not a very professional,approach, just for an added source of opening an external harddrive's case,
First make sure usb cable connected to harddrive is working fine. try it in different usb ports. Press
windows key +R key so you can see run then type in run "devmgmt.msc"
then press ok so you can see device manager uninstall all usb drivers
then it automatic install usb drivers. then check. Also you need
to change registry for that type in run "regedit" then press ok then
you can see registry editor then locate below key. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} And remove upper filter and lower filter.Then restart computer then check. If
your harddrive still not recognized then you need to repair your
harddrive.Try your harddrive in different computer if it is not
recognized on another computer then your harddrive has internal issue.
Let me know if you need further assistance. Thanks for using FixYa
This is a hard one, as 7 is so new. But it sounds like the very next thing to do is to plug the drive into another computer to see if the drive is working properly.
If it works well, make sure that your drive is not trying to grab a drive letter that is already being used by another device. Do a search on the MS website for known issues and instructions on how to check for drive letter management issues.
Good luck.
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