External Hard Drive Keeps Changing Drive Letter

I imagine that thsi is a simple fix, but I cannot figure it out. I use an external hard drive and every since I've moved and had to re-set-up my comp, my external harddrive is read as different letter whenever I start my comp. I don't always have the drive on. I store all of my iTunes music on it, so it is a pain when it changes letter because I have to relocate my music directory. Is there anyway to keep this letter constant and save me this pain? Thanks.

 

Hello MicroSardine,

Have you installed any other external devices such as a key drive?

If so, what I think happened is that when you set up the system the first time after the move, the other device(s) weren't present. Try uninstalling all external devices and then boot with them all present.

Regards - Charles

 

I have other external devices that I plug-in and take out all of the time (e.g., jump drive, iPod, printer media drive). I know that is affecting it. I was just curious if I coudl set it up so that every time I turn on my HD it is read as letter H and nothing else can be read as such.

 

Hi MicroSardine,

was just curious if I coudl set it up so that every time I turn on my HD it is read as letter H and nothing else can be read as such
If you want a particular letter for this drive, you're going to have to install it after another device takes the letter G.

I have the following setup:

Internal C drive
ROM's E and F
Internal D drive with partitions D and G
External H drive
External I drive
Flash drives J & K

So if I were to add another device, I would make sure all the external devices were plugged in because the new device would take the letter of the missing device, that's been my experience.

And I think any flash drive or non-HD device should be last in the sequence.

Regards - Charles

 

I see. I just have to have the same things plugged in everytime to get the same letter assignments. Thanks for the help.

I was also reading in some other threads that you can change the drive letters by going through drive manager. I may give this a shot the next time I have troubles.

Thanks again!

 

Hi MicroSardine,

One more thought, to make it all easier, you can name the devices if you haven't done so already.

Bring up the device and right click > properties > general tab and next to the device symbol name it whatever you want.

Regards - Charles

 

Re-read your last post:

Start > run > type diskmgmt.msc > ok.

Right click on the drive letter under the column "Volume" and you'll see "Change drive letter and paths ".

Regards - Charles