Computer can no longer read external hard drive (USB connection)

If the external hard drive has been formatted on a PC in NTFS file format then the MAC cannot read data off this hard drive.
The FIX..
Connect the USB external hard drive to a Windows computer and copy your data off this hard drive to the computer.
Then format the external hard drive in FAT32 file format. (the MAC can read and write to data to and from a Windows PC)
Now copy the your data from the computer back onto the external hard drive.
Now you can connect the external hard drive to the MAC and download your data to the MAC.

According to the microsoft site your external hard drive which is the Samsung G2 HX-MU050DC doesn't need any additional software it is automatically installed when connected..Maybe try to connect it to other USB port I preferred you connect it at the back of your CPU..If this doesn't work try to connect your external hard drive to other computer if it still doesn't work. sad to say but the problem is your external hard drive..

Hello dj_itachi7
Maybe it's only the electronic connection inside the box of your drive that is damaged . The USB connection is dead but you still seem to have power .
I would try to open the box ( will be lost ) and put the drive in another USB external box or connect the drive straight inside your pc if it is a desktop , using the IDE or Sata connection of the motherboard .
Regards ,
fanaudi .

Double Click My Computer to see if you can see the removable drive. If its not there, right click my computer, manage, disk management. Look for a drive without a drive letter. Right click the drive, click on "change drive letter and parts", click on add. Choose a drive letter and click ok or apply as the case may be to get your pc to recognize your external drive.

An external storage-device has four major components:

* the USB cable

* the power-adapter

* the disk-drive inside the enclosure

* the USB-to-disk-drive adapter inside the enclosure.

One of these components has failed.

Try a different USB cable.

Try connecting to a different USB port on your computer.

Try connecting to a USB port on a different computer.

Take a "multi-meter" and measure both the voltage and amperage output from the AC adapter, and compare with the specifications on the label on the adapter.

Open the enclosure, and remove the disk-drive, and then connect it as a "slave" disk-drive in a desktop computer, to see if it works at all.

Purchase a new, compatible, disk-drive, and install it in the enclosure, to "revive" your external storage device.

Get the part-number and serial-number from the label on your disk-drive, and access the manufacturer's web-site, and use "check warranty status", to see if they will replace the device, at minimal cost to you.

Note that W.D. has a "Customer Loyalty" program -- you can buy a new W.D. device, through the W.D. web-site, at a significant discount.

There exist commercial "data recovery" services that can try to repair your device, just long-enough to rescue and copy your files. For example, see: https://services.seagate.com/index.aspx?lng=en-US for a "no data - no charge" guarantee.

try with back panel USB hosts

Network hard drive is also an external har drive but its shared over a network. If you want it to be used a external hard drive connected directly to you computer, read below.

Your WD drive should have a USB port on it. You need to plug the drive into your laptop directly to be used as a external hard drive.

Please rate if helpful.

Thanks

Step 1: Connect your hard drive to your PC.
Step 2: Create a FAT32 partition on your hard drive. If you’re using less than 32 GB, you can use Windows via “Control panel > Administrative tools > Computer Management”. If you’re using more than 32 GB, you’ll have to use an external program, e.g. Partition Magic.
Step 3: Load all the content you want from your PC onto the external drive. This should consist of files that can be read on the Xbox hard drive.
Step 4: Remove the external hard drive from your PC. Plug it into your Xbox 360 console through the USB port.
Step 5: Go to the Media menu on your Xbox screen. Select "Portable Device" from the menu. All the readable files saved on the external drive should be available to read on your Xbox 360.
N.B. Xbox's connection with an external drive is read-only. You can only read files that are already on the drive after connecting. You can't save game files or anything else on the Xbox main drive onto the external hard drive. Also, USB storage devices cannot be used for Xbox live marketplace content.

External is damanged or you have problem with USB drivers...

Buy a new one!!! Or return it or try cleaning the underside of it with a cloth.