Free space on my external hdd

It sounds like the HDD inside is dead. The USB interface may have an issue but usually clicking or buzzing is HDD failure. If you have a desktop you can try removing the hard drive from the external case and connecting it directly to the computer using a SATA cable.

of course.every external hdd will work in any edition of windows!

I'm guessing the HDD needs to be reformatted. To reformat... ALERT THIS WILL ERASE EVERYTHING ON YOUR HARD DRIVE. if there is import information that is not backed up, back it up on a computer that recognizes the drive.
Go to control panel in the start menu, then to system and security, then Administrative tools, then computer management, then storage, Disk management,

This will list all storage devices that are connected to the computer. Based on the names you should be able to tell which one is the western digital. Right click, format and follow the formatting wizard. Format the drive as NTFS. Allocate all available space to 1 NTFS partition unless you would like multiple partitions.

Well first of all check how many free space you have on your ext. drive. If you DO have enough to back-up your files,then i would suggest you right clicking on your ext. drive,choose properties and format it,but beware,formating will delete ALL your data on external drive.
If you think i was usefull,click on Thumbs up button,cheers!

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.

Try running Scan Disk and defrag. Otherwise use a program like SpinRite to do a low level scan of the disk.

Good luck

My External HDD of Western Digital (500 GB) not detecting by Win-XP SP-2. But at the same machine another External HDD of Western Digital (160 GB) is detecting and functioning well.
What is the problem? & what to do to get back my necessary files stored in the 500 GB HDD.
Can any one help me, please? URGENT.My External HDD of Western Digital (500 GB) not detecting by Win-XP SP-2. But at the same machine another External HDD of Western Digital (160 GB) is detecting and functioning well.
What is the problem? & what to do to get back my necessary files stored in the 500 GB HDD.
Can any one help me, please? URGENT.

If your External HDD file system is configured as FAT32 instead of NTFS, the max file size limit . By using NTFS, you get increased security, file compression, disk quotas, and encryption—features you don't get with FAT.

To convert the default (FAT32 to NTFS):
1.
Close all open programs to avoid loss of data. Be prepared to restart your computer.
2.
Open Command Prompt, and at the command prompt, type convert C: /FS:NTFS, where C represents the drive letter of the disk to convert. Press Enter or Return on the keyboard.
3.
Wait while the process completes. Don't do anything while the conversion is taking place.
You can also open a Command Prompt from the Run line (available from the Start menu). Just type cmd and press Enter.

Other useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table

http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/38803/understanding-file-size-limits-on-ntfs-and-fat.html

Hey,
try connecting it o another computer and check
if not yet, use only the WD USB transfer wire supplied in the box.
because WD External HDD only recongize its own USB and none other.

files are there but data is not there & its showing file is empty