Hitachi 500GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive Logo
Posted on Aug 30, 2010
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Hi, please help, I purchase this item early this month and it doesnt seem to be working. I used the attached USB and plugged in the desktop pc. The hitachi drive light is on but my pc does not register its present or any new hard ware. I thought it's my pc, so I had a friend try it and still the same, nothing happened, except the light on the hitachi is on. I click on my COMPUTER and hitachi is not listed as one of the drives there. So I can not use to save anything in it. Do I need to do something first to the drive? If so, how? please help. thanks, Brandon

1 Answer

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Master 6,831 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 27, 2010
Anonymous
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Sep 13, 2009
Answers
6831
Questions
0
Helped
1215539
Points
16135

Body { background: #FFFFFF; margin: 0px; padding: 4px; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; } p { margin:0px; padding:0px; } .spwrap { background: transparent url(../wysiwyg_rte/misspell.gif) repeat-x scroll center bottom; } Hello

Okay , so there are some steps to figure out what is wrong with your external.

Firstly , if your computer makes a sound when you plug in your external , go to Start-Control Panel-Administrative Tools-Computer Management-Disk Management , and see if your external drive is listed here with your local drives. If it is listed , right click on the drive and change the drive letter to make it appear in "my computer".

If your drive does not make a connection sound when connecting to your computer and also does not show up , please follow the next step.

Remove the hard drive from the casing if possible and install it in your computer case or another external case.If the drive works , the problem is with the casing and you can ignore the drive.

Now , if the problem is with the casing , there are still 3 possibilities.

  1. The USB cable between the drive and the computer may be damaged.
  2. The circuit board which connects your drive to the interface of the external may be blown.
  3. The power supply (if applicable) may have a blown transformer.
The latter is the easiest to diagnose , does your external light up at all when you plug in the power? If not , then this is probably your problem. On the bottom of the adapter is a label which you will be able to use to have a new adapter made at your local electronics shop and this will cost about $30 max. They will also be able to test the adapter with a clamp meter to see if this is really the problem and this should be free.

The second component you want to test is the USB cable. If you have a printer , swop out the cables and see if your printer functions normally. Most externals use the same connector so you should be able to test it in this manner. If the cable works go on to the last step. If the cable is defective , replace it with a new one which you can find for about $10 at most electronics and chain stores.

The last component to test is the circuit board. This is a bit of a grey zone as you probably won't be able to spot the blown component unless it failed really badly. With the casing already opened , locate the external's circuit board and check to see if you have any blackened components or fluids leaking from some components. If all the other components of the external worked perfectly , then this is the faulty part. It is not really economical to replace the circuit as most of the time it is out of production by the time you need to replace it and it still costs a lot even if it is available so if your drive is working perfectly when connected via sata or IDE on your computer , the best is to buy a new casing and place your old drive in the new casing.

A casing costs about $50 and you could get it at most tech shops and big chain stores like Best Buy.

I hope this solves your problem and please reply if you need more help.

Kind Regards
Andrea

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

1helpful
1answer

My gateway desktop does not recognize any sd/xd cards

Either the Card Reader isn't plugged in, or isn't any good.

Repair would be to purchase another Card Reader, but after checking the USB header/s on the motherboard, that the Card Reader is plugged into.
(FOLLOW Anti-Static Precautions)

Or you can use an external Card Reader, and plug it into a USB port,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1951865&csid=_61

Your keyboard has a problem too. It's stuck in capital letters.

joecoolvette
3helpful
3answers

Can I purchase an attachment cd player to my acer aspire one?

Netbooks are done without space for DVD drive, so you must purchase external DVD drive.
This should work for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135216&cm_re=external_dvd_drive_usb-_-27-135-216-_-Product

It is connected via USB, and I think doesn't need any other source of power.
It's really great solution for people without dvd drives.
1helpful
2answers

Need diagram of back of computer-where does printer plug in?

Hi,

I don't see a model no on your post but I have been checking out most of the Essentio boards. They all seem to NOT have parallel printer ports. If your Printer cable looks like this :

4624d90.jpg

...then you will need to purchase a Parallel to USB converter like this:

427c092.jpg

Online you can try these guys:

LPT-%3Cspan%20class=" spwrap="" id="spUSB">USB.html">http://www.usbgear.com/1x-LPT-USB.html

The top most item for $19-95.

Hope this helps

:)
BD
0helpful
1answer

Have "new" HP desktop. USB drivers not able to repair

Get a USB PCI card and install it in an empty slot. That should provide you with the ability to use the HD and other USB devices. Try here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158008
0helpful
1answer

Facing problem with usb of motorockr e8 ?

There are two type of portsin USB enabled PC one is Type USB1 & Second is Type USB2. USB2 is faster and is compatible with most new devices. most of the flash drives when attached to USB1 prompt a message to attach to USB2 port to work faster. I am using E6 & it works fine with my Laptop & Desktop. So plug the cable into a different USB.
0helpful
2answers

USB Header

The only way is to purchase a USB Board to install in the PCI slot, but that would be overkill since you PC already has 4) 2.0 USB ports. I would exchange that internal reader for an external reader.

If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it.
Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

0helpful
1answer

I purchased a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Hub recommended by the salesman at the office supply store. It does not work with my new Dell computer which uses Windows Vista operating system. Please...

Normally USB Hubs all new are 2.0 and they use a simple USB connection that should work with all computers, you can try a different USB port in your computer and if that still doesnt work then most likely that product is not a name brand and it does not have the built in driver for the mass device driver which is what usb ports use to function and multiplicate and you should return it and get a better / different one. Hope my answer gets you closer to a solution. Please Help rate me if I helped you out or not I am new but a very good tech.
0helpful
4answers

Wd 120gb External no longer recognised by my PC

hi there

have you tried looking at the device manager?
you can also try transfering it to different usb ports.

hope this helps
0helpful
2answers

Siemens fujitsu scalo p.....can't get my 2.1 speakers to work

Hi There Try this, CONNECTION Check your connections on Rear part of your PC. Lime is for Sound Out usually a speaker, Pink is for Mic, Blue for Audio Input. VOLUME Try Adjusting the vlume on your PC first. Check the volume on the Headphone too if there is one. CLEANING Using a dump clothe. Wipe the plugs with a twisting motion. WIRELESS\BLUETOOTH Check your battery if it is drained. Try replacing them with a new one or charge them if they are rechargables. If all fails then You may have a Sound Card problem. Using a spare Speaker or Headphone check it if it works. If its not then its Defective and needs replacement. If its working then your Speakers or Headphones are defective. Try fixing them by cleaning or checking the Continuity of its cables using a analog Multi tester. Hope This helps ======================= If you are having trouble with Newly bought items then return them and demand a replacement or a refund! You may have purchased a reconditioned\repaired\factory defect product.
0helpful
1answer

Philips Gogear - please help!

Check that battery still has the original voltage if not you need to b=get it back to it.
Not finding what you are looking for?

93 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Hitachi Computers & Internet Experts

Grand Canyon Tech
Grand Canyon Tech

Level 3 Expert

3867 Answers

ADMIN Andrew
ADMIN Andrew

Level 3 Expert

66931 Answers

vince

Level 3 Expert

2530 Answers

Are you a Hitachi Computer and Internet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...