Windows cannot read my external hard drive anymore. It is tells me to unitialise it, and windows cannot even help because of an I/O device error.

Try a powered USB hub. I have had this problem with a PC and even plugging two devices into a hub with its own power supply fails sometimes.

It looks like your ext hdd simply doesn't work.

Hi sir, Fewer Portable HDD's wont support Front side USB port so choose different USB port sure it wil work i prefer BACKSIDE of your system :)

Is the error occurring when reading "from" the W.D. drive,
or is the error occurring when writing "to" your internal drive?

> digital delyed right failed

Is that the exact spelling of the error-message?

The device has suffered a major failure. If you're lucky it's in the electronics of the case so take it apart, extract the hard disk inside, put it in another external case (or directly inside a desktop) and access it this way. If even then the disk isn't recognized then the hard disk itself has died and all the data on it is lost.

If the MAC formats the external hard drive then the desktop cannot see any files on the hard disk even though it detects the external hard drive.
If you format the external hard drive using the Desktop computer and format it in FAT32 then the MAC can read and write to this hard drive and the desktop PC can also read and write to the external hard drive.
MAC computers can read and write on PC formatted disks but not the other way around.

Windows Delayed write file error

Read this

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330174

since your talking about the External drives, a lot of reasons makes this happen. if the resolution above link cant help you, then try this:

Make sure that update the driver of your PC hard drive. Usually, this errors appear if your moving from one hard drive brand to another ex: seagate to samsung etc....

updated hard drive driver resolve this.

Make sure the cables are alright. Or at least have the latest service pack. USB drivers causes issues as well. I updated mine and the problem did not crop up anymore. hope this would help.

Unclear if you want to just use the HD as a drive, or whether you want to recover the MP3 data from it?
This may help to access the drive
https://www.howtoforge.com/access-linux-partitions-from-windows

plz check your usb port if other device read ...........then your external hard disk so error. or if ex hard ok...you install windows vista .

If the unit detects any form of Hard Drive Error it asks you to format the drive. Connect the unit to your PC and run ScanDisk or DOS Chkdsk on the drive. Will help to rectify any issues with the FAT. Windows XP & 2000 Running Check Disk Utility (ChkDsk) ? HARD DRIVE mode only If you still have problems with the file system on your AV 500 you can try to fix it using the DOS utility, check disk (chkdsk). Do the following; ? Make sure external AC adapter is powering the AV 500. ? Quit all running applications. ? Properly connect the AV 500 to your computer ? Wait patiently (up to 5 minutes) for Windows XP to show the local drive as mounted. ? Open a DOS window. Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. ? At the prompt, type chkdsk e: /f . Use e: or f: or whatever drive letter is representing your AV 500. The /f argument tells the program to automatically fix errors. ? Be patient, this may take a while. ? When finished, exit the DOS Window and properly disconnect the AV 500 from your computer. Now try using the device. DO NOT try to defrag the drive. Let us know how you get on.