Just just gotusb 2,0 external hard drive but did not get manual on how to use itk i got all the drivers for it. i connected it, but i cant even open it.its brand new in the box. but no manual. [email protected]

external hard drives get their power mostly from the usb connection
you will however need to download a driver after you plug the usb lead into the computer
it is even possible that when you connect the usb up you will get a balloon in the bottom right of the task bar referring to looking for a driver for installed hard drive

Method 1:
I would suggest you to refer the link and try to run the troubleshooter and check if it helps.
Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Hardware-and-Devices-troubleshooter
Method 2:
I would suggest you to try connecting the external hard drive to a different USB port and check if the issue persists.
Also, try to connect the external hard drive to a computer and check.
Method 3:
I would also suggest you to uninstall and reinstall the latest drivers for the external hard drive.
To uninstall drivers from the device manager follow these steps:
a.Click on Start.
b.Type "Device Manager" in the search bar.
c.Click on Device Manager.
d.Select the device you wish to uninstall in the Device Manager window and uninstall it.
e.You can also uninstall by right clicking on the device and selecting Uninstall from the context menu. A dialog box will open asking you if you really wish to uninstall the driver. Click Yes, then OK in the next window.
Install the drivers from the manufacturer's website.
http://tech.acomdata.com/scripts/downloads.asp?lngCategoryID=209&lngProductID=539&lngPlatformID=0

Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Automatically-get-recommended-drivers-and-updates-for-your-hardware

Try to install the required drivers for the external USB-enclosure. If you did, you should verify if the connections inside the encloser is well connected, as you should also check if the included powersupply (adapter) will be sufficient to power the internal harddisk.
Another test is to connect the drive to a different USB-port at your computer, or,... even better, connect it to a different PC.

Another option is that the harddisk is not formatted. Some OS'es (like Windows) don't handle this well. You can look for Acronis Disk Dokter at Internet, to overcome this.
If all failed, well, then you got an hardware issue. Either the external enclosure is malfunctioning or the harddisk is defective.

External hard drives not only provide additional storage space on a computer system but also allow data to be conveniently transported from one computer to another.

These drives typically plug right in to a port on the computer and function without any additional setup; however, if you are running into trouble where your external hard drive is not being detected, you must troubleshoot the situation to determine why the drive appears to be missing.

Check the USB connection running from the hard drive to your computer.

If the USB cable is not seated securely in the port, the computer will not detect the external drive.

Disconnect the USB cable from the computer and plug it into a different USB port. Occasionally, a USB port will fail to function with some hardware and changing the USB connection may correct this issue.

Switch from a USB to a Firewire cable connection, if possible.

The USB port on the hard drive may have died; if so, changing to a Firewire connection will resolve this issue.

Install the driver for the external device from the installation disc provided with the product. Older computer systems may require you to manually install this driver.

After inserting the installation CD, follow the prompts from the installation wizard to install the driver on your computer.

Restart the computer.

If you connected the external drive while the computer is powered down, it may not recognize the device when you turn on the computer.

After restarting the computer, connect the external drive to the system.

The drive should now be detected by your operating system.

Connect the external hard drive to a power source and then plug it into your PC computer using a USB or Firewire cable.

Log on to your PC computer using an account with administrative privileges.

Open the Start menu and click on the "Control Panel" icon.

Open the "Administrative Tools" folder and then double-click on the "Computer Management" icon.

Select "Disk Management" from the list of options on left side of the window.

Right-click on the drive you want your computer to recognize and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths."

Select a drive letter for the external hard drive to be recognized as and click "OK."

The drive will now appear in My Computer.

Hope this helps.

While you r opening the hard drive what error do u get ??

Sounds like the drive isn't working, but the next step is to try it on another computer. If it doesn't show up there either, then the drive is faulty.

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

Your External Drive should be plug and play enable since it is a USB Drive.

Connect the appropriate cables to the External Drive and from the External Drive to the Computer while the computer is fully booted.

The driver for the Drive is loaded else you will be promted that the system have found a new device, if that is the case, put the CD-ROM that came drive and follow the instruction to complete the driver installation.

Open my computer icon on your desktop and you see the external drive.

I devised these simple steps that tend to remedy quite a few issues with most USB portable / external hard drives and OTHER devices (though not always)

A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems (mac/ Linux) 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. This can be especially true if you move a HUB to another port

If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues then check your hardware from CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM / HARDWARE.
Any exclamation marks by hardware need fixing before you investigate any further

USB flash drives can fail for no apparent reason.
Sandisk Cruzers are especially bad for this.

USB hard drives should be treated with extreme care.
This is a real hard drive ! and knocks and bumps can quite literally kill them.

It is possible to remove drives from the enclosures in most cases and connect directly inside a PC to fully check it.

Note that if you hear a drive clicking or pinging this could be the worst thing you would hear.
Known as "The Click Of Death"

If none of the above steps help look at updating the drivers from the manufacturers web site in the support section

manually install drivers through the EHD cd