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Question about Seagate USB 2.0 External Enclosure + 400GB ST3400832A UATA 8MB 7200RPM HDD (NEWITEM31875736) Drive Case

5 Answers

PC won't recognize external usb HDD

I have a 2.5" seagate 100GB that is enclosed in a aluminum usb HDD case. The connector is a USB Y cable. It is suppose to be compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. I am running windows xp home on my pc and there is suppose to be no need to install anything for this drive to work. It is suppose to be plug n play but my PC does not recognize it when I plug it in and I have tried all USB ports. When the HDD is plugged in the green light does come on but it is not showing up in my computer nor does the PC recognize it as new hardware. I just purchased it through EBay and it is said to be brand new. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it or install it so it works.

Posted by Pam Sommers on

  • 16 more comments 
  • Vpatel Nov 05, 2007

    I have just purchased Sabrent USB 2.0 2.5" extenal HD case and trying to connect with Y cable with my laptop (WINDOS-XP) but it fails to be recognized upon several attempt. Connected both ends of Y cable to Laptops 2-usb connector but nothing works. I do not undersand what power alternative I can use to get enough power or weather the Sabrent external drive case it self is defective? Any idea about support number?

  • Anonymous Nov 16, 2007

    I have a 2.5" HItachi 80GB that is enclosed in a aluminum usb HDD case. The connector is a USB Y cable. It is suppose to be compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. I am running windows xp home on my pc and there is suppose to be no need to install anything for this drive to work. It is suppose to be plug n play but my PC does not recognize it when I plug it in and I have tried all USB ports. When the HDD is plugged in the green light does come on but it is not showing up in my computer nor does the PC recognize it as new hardware. It is a brand new HDD which was functioning well in da beginning but doesnt detect now.I also tried the 2 USB method of jacking both the USB Y jacks in two different USBs in regrads with the power surge however it still gives the same problem. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it or install it so it works

  • dflo Dec 06, 2007

    restarded the computer with the usb conected and it still does not reconize, went into device manager and troubleshoot the device but will not let me. it still does not reconize the device it says malfuntion

  • Anonymous Dec 23, 2007

    not detect hdd

  • itech2k8 Feb 19, 2008

    I have connected the drive thru usb to my pc and I am running windows vista and my problem it is not being recognized by windows to allow me to access the drive, however in my taskbar lower right hand corner, My safely remove hardware icon is present indicating the drive is connected properly. I also checked device mgr and the external drive does show up. I

  • Mujak Mar 09, 2008

    In computer management message is external drive is unknown and not initialized. I'm using windows Xp so shouldn't need driver. Advice?

  • Anonymous Mar 31, 2008

    bytec 280 not recognized

  • Lukolyo Mar 31, 2008

    Hitachi IC25N030A TMR

  • Anonymous Apr 06, 2008

    i have a 5 gig dell laptop hd in there and it's unable to read it, could possibly be different file formats or crappy brand

  • ETERRESTRIAL May 29, 2008

    MY PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONE PRESENTE BY SCORP.

    CESAR.

  • Anonymous Jun 06, 2008

    my external drive is clicking and the blue light is on, all of a sudden it just stopped recognizing it. any ideas?

  • Anonymous Jun 29, 2008

    same thing for me.

  • webstaz Aug 14, 2008

    IOMEGA 160gb and Canyon External 160gb not recognized by my PC

  • jaimechavesm Aug 27, 2008

    I have a datatraveler kingston 110 of 8GB that is enclosed in the usb HDD case. The connector is a USB . It is suppose to be compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. I am running windows vista on my pc and there is suppose to be no need to install anything for this drive to work but my PC does not recognize it when I plug it in and I have tried all USB ports. My computer nor does the PC recognize it as new hardware. I just purchased it through EBay and it is said to be brand new. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it or install it so it works.

  • lilleyen Sep 04, 2008

    My drive is a WD 750 GIG Caviar SATA in a JT-35EU-S ESATA USB combo unit,

    Computer won't recognize it.

    I'm wondering if it could be because it's an unformated drive.

    Most External ready to run drives ARE formatted.

  • StreamRipper Sep 19, 2008

    After installing SATA HDD into my IMBS35G HDD enclosure from iMicro,
    connecting it to my Sony VAIO with Windows Vista and powering on I get
    the following:

    1. Green LED is lighted

    2. I can hear my HDD working

    3. I see the "invalid" status for the disk in the "Disk Management"
    that is in the "Control panel" of Windows Vista. And I can't assign the
    drive letter to the removable disk.



    I've tried to connect the HDD enclosure to 2 another laptops (one with

    Windows XP and another one with Vista) and everything went fine.



    Also when I run Windows XP on my Virtual Machine I can access the

    drive just fine. But in Windows Vista the HDD is still unavailable.



    iMicro HDD enclosure doesn't have any drivers. And my laptop is new so it should probably have the latest versions of BIOS.



    My Vista has all the latest updates. What could be the problem? Is it related to Sony VAIO or to iMicro HDD enclosure.

  • jeffedl Feb 22, 2009

    I have a 3.5" Thermaltake enclosure (purchased 6 months ago) with a drive from my prior home pc (had Win2000). Drive powers up, green light is constant and red LED is on and off and on and off.

    When connecting to my Vista 64 desktop it locks up Explorer, and when connecting to my XP laptop, Windows can't connect to the drive.

    The drive spins, and sounds right, but just won't connect.

    Help?


  • draco999 Mar 21, 2009

    Same problem but I can hear the win sound when I plug in or unplug the Vantec NexStar,

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5 Answers

Anonymous

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You may not have installed the HDD correctly in the case... I had the same problem with my Thecus N1050 enclosure, the green power light on the enclosure would come on and the drive would spin up but my PC would not see the HDD!!??... I thought, becuase i could hear the drive spinning that i had it installed correctly but this wasn't the case, when i removed the enclosure again and FIRMLY pushed the HDD into the connector (all the way in) and connected it back up to my PC, it recognised it instantly. Hope this helps!

Posted on Oct 11, 2007

Anonymous

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If your system in Win 98/SE/ME you need drivers installed. It's possible to install a 2.5 drive the wrong way on some adapters. Do double check that. You might try plugging in the other USB lead as it's possible one is power only (should be marked as such).

Posted on Aug 31, 2007

Anonymous

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Well i happined to find out what the problem in my case was... basically the connector of the casing had gone bad.... so i changed the casing and now it seems to be working fine... also a friend had a similar problem... however inserting the two y jack cords in two different usb ports seems to have solved his problem.....

Posted on Feb 21, 2008

Anonymous

When I bought my first one it had the same problem. I ended up exchanging it for another one which worked.

Posted on Nov 06, 2007

Anonymous

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  • Master
  • 2,985 Answers

The drive is relying on the PC's power supply from the 5v rail. The 'Y' connection is intended to be plugged into 2 USB ports to ensure that enough volts are around. How ever this may not be enough. So disconnect other other USB devices. Still not enough- the power supply is not up to it. The only solution to to change that caddy for one with its own main power supply.

Posted on Jul 25, 2007

3 Related Answers

Anonymous

SOURCE: 3.5" Dynex USB 2.0 External Enclosure + Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM 500 GB HDD problem with computer recognizing the HDD and the enclosure

 If your running XP , go to control panal , Admin tools>Computer Management >Storage > Disk Management . Look for it there . If its there see if it says what file system . If none format it . If it isnt there then chack the jumper on the hard drive it self . It should be set to master or cable select . 

Posted on Oct 25, 2007

Anonymous

  • 16 Answers

SOURCE: I recently added a Seagate

Hi!
I think I would run the setup application and see if it helps. You're relying on the Windows drivers for the drive and who knows how well they work.

1. Turn the computer off completely.
2. Disconnect the USB drive and any other USB devices (for the time being).
3. Turn the computer back on, put the installation disk in and follow the instructions. Don't connect the USB drive until you are asked! Having it connected before asked may not allow the installation process to work as it should.
4. When everything is installed, hook your other USB devices back up and see what happens.

If this doesn't work, go to the Seagate site and try out their external HD troubleshooter.

Hope that helps! Remember to rate the solutions!

Posted on Aug 10, 2009

Anonymous

  • 27 Answers

SOURCE: My computer won't discover my

Most likely it isn't formatted for Windows. I'd check in the Logial Disk Manager in Windows XP to format the drive.

Posted on Mar 21, 2011

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Related Questions:

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1answer

My pc and laptop not detect my Maxtor OneTouch III Mini External 100GB USB 2.0 Hard Drive R01E100 what can i do please help me soon as possible

Good Day Anantsharma8!

If your PC and Laptop can not detect your external hard drive, I do suggest you check its usb cable. A substitute cable will confirm if your current usb cable is faulty or has an open wire.

Most common reason why the external hard drive is not recognize by PC or Laptop is due to loose connection of the hard disk inside the connectors of the enclosure.

Anantsharma8, if you have a small precision screw, I recommend you open the enclosure of the external hard drive. Remove the front face where usb and power plug connects, then slide it out to expose the hard disk also. You will see two connectors. These are the ones that always loosen. Please disconnect both the connectors and then connect it again properly. Put the hard disk back, close the enclosure and try to connect again with your PC or laptop via usb cable.




Good Luck! I hope that it will soon recognize your external hard drive.
0helpful
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I pulled the seagate 2.5"

Hello,

When you use external adapters to plug drives into USB ports the drive needs to be set for mast not slave. The internal drive is one one channel and external drive is on a different channel so neither drive is a slave, both are masters with not slave drive present. Try removing the jumper you installed and try the drive, it should be seen because all windows XP or later do not need drivers for USB drives.

I hope this helps, if so please rate my solution.

BuddyMc
0helpful
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The hdd is not recognized by the pc, evrytime i plug in the hdd it ask me to formated

Are you using EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE, which means the hard drive is in a box, and you connect it to computer with USB cable? If so, do the following
1. Try to plug and unplug and plug USB cable at the port on computer. 2. While plugged in, try to shake the plug a little. 3. Try to plug the USB cable to USB port at the back of the PC case, not the port at the front 4. Check the usb cable, buy a new one, or borrow one (its cheap) 5. Still does work? bring it to Customer service, there must be an error on the box itself.

0helpful
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I have a seagate Freeagent Go 500gb and suddenly it is not recognized by my laptop.

Try with another PC, If still not recognising, then You have to open the Casing of your external drive. If you have any Warrenty remaining for this Drive, then let company people fix this. if no warrenty then Remove the HDD from the casing, Connect HDD to the PC with another External casing, and backup your Data. If no ditection with this method, then your HDD is Dead. Keep finger crossed best of luck
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External hard drive is not detected

Check Following Instructions:
1. Check your USB cable properly connected to the computer.
2. Go to My computer - right click on property - Hardware - Devices Manager - in below - USB Mass storage device - right click on this - and Uninstall - then again right click - click on Scan - it should be reload your USB drivers
your External Hard Drive will be detected
0helpful
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Seagate 750GB usb HDD asks to format,when opening by double click

The disk is either damaged or the USB interface is damaged.
1) You could try opening the external case and connect the disk to your computer directly (Using IDE/S-ATA cables)
2) Format the HD and use data recovery software/service.
0helpful
3answers

I have a 2.5" seagate 100GB that is enclosed in a aluminum usb HDD case. The connector is a USB Y cable. It is suppose to be compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. I am running windows xp home on my pc and...

pls remove the hard disk from enclouser and plug direct to sata port and check if run well.
if not pls check with bios detection, if enclouser is good and hard is bad, there was no detection with usb port.
0helpful
1answer

External HDD

I have 2.5" HItachi 120GB and the same problem !!
0helpful
1answer

3.5" Dynex USB 2.0 External Enclosure + Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM 500 GB HDD problem with computer recognizing the HDD and the enclosure

 If your running XP , go to control panal , Admin tools>Computer Management >Storage > Disk Management . Look for it there . If its there see if it says what file system . If none format it . If it isnt there then chack the jumper on the hard drive it self . It should be set to master or cable select . 
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