I have a firelite model usbflb60-c external hard drive that powers on (no light though) when plugged in but my computer doesnt see it (it's seen it before though). If I hold it I can hear it working and feel it vibrating....but my computer just can't detect that it's there. There's nothing wrong with my USB ports, I've triple checked all that. I've restarted, I've disabled and enabled ports, I've scanned the ports through device manager...nothing helps. It does this a lot but it's never sat there like an expensive paperweight this long before. Is there maybe a way I can access it and force it to turn on or communicate with my PC? Or is there somewhere I can get drivers or something from? I got this as a hand me down gift and it's worked fine till now but I don't have software for it. I'm on Windows 7 if that helps :).

SOURCE: Firelite connection

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SOURCE: Firelite usbflb40-c USB device exceeded power limits of hub port

I devised these simple steps that tend to remedy quite a few issues with most portable / external hard drives (though not always)
A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems similar steps may be adapted to suit.

1. Ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability
2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer. Not all USB cables are equal even though they should be)
3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.
4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply
Don’t use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating e.g. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly.
5. Always use the same port for connecting your devices. Some devices do not like being switched about. If switched they may want to install software / drivers again.
If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues carry on reading.
Go to your control panel and then administrative tools, select Computer Management.
Now select Disk Management and expand the window.
Your drive should be listed here, if not then you need to check your computer hardware has not got any issues before proceeding.
If your drive is listed and says healthy then right click on it an select Properties, click Tools and then Error Checking, Check now, tick the two boxes and then Start.
This will attempt to fix most minor / common errors on the drive. It may also ask you to restart which is fine. Allow it to finish its work or you could corrupt the drive. If all went well you should be able to use it normally again.
If you drive was listed but did NOT say healthy then right click and select Format. Choose NTFS as the file system and do not tick any boxes you do NOT want quick format. Again start and let it do its thing. When it is done restart your computer and you should be good to go.
If you still have problems with the drive you might want to look at other areas.

SOURCE: formatted hard disk on pc now it won't run on mac

Try plugging your hard drive into your mac, open "Disk Utility" select your hard drive in the list on the side, Click RAID, change the Volume Format to MS-DOS (FAT), and it should work.
Hope this helps!

SOURCE: I'm having a problem with my SmartDisk external

Some units have two cords one power one data , in the event
that a unit is not recognized its always the data cord , data cord
hooks itself to a computer via its data cord , so two items are
needed a good working 2.0 high speed USB and a good working USB cable , hook your unit up to your computer , reboot your
computer then try looking in my computer for the drive , if the
HDD is in working order its only way to your computer is the cord
or its USB connector , sometimes USB connectors break for no
apparent reason try checking your USB connections with other
items such as flash drives but not items such as lights fans or
headphones

SOURCE: SmartDisk FireLite XPress 120 GB USB External Hard

Hola!!!
I have this external drive and the truth is that it is very good. But I have a s e doubt that the digital display does not turn me, and I do not know if it is broken or is it because only you connect the USB cable and did not put the current transformer 5Volts. I need someone to help me and tell me what has to be repudiation. Thank you very much!

My Email: @ gmail.com rodolfo.gomez1990