SimpleTech drive not responding

I did a search but no luck on finding any info here on SimpleDrives

Basically - I've got a 320Gig SimpleDrive (by SimpleTech) that I've been using as a back up to my computer. It has EVERYTHING on it... Went to plug it into my computer the other day - lights up and powers up, then shuts down and won't connect to my computer... Tried a different computer; same thing. Looked on the website and it says that plugging and unplugging the USB connector without going through the "Remove Hardware" link on the desktop "may cause your drive to stop responding ". I'm almost positive that this is the issue... BUT... how the heck do you get it START responding again??

Am hoping that I can get some answers here before I try to pull my hair out with the customer service folks.

Thanks!
~C

 

So your having problems with the usb port with your external hard drive ? What operating system are you using ?

 

I have a long list of solutions to USB problems but I need to know if you’re running WinXP or Vista?

 

I'm using Windows XP. The computer USB works fine (I can plug a number of things into each usb port and they work perfectly) - just not the Simple.

Any help is WONDERFUL!

Thanks!
~C

 

I am compiling an ongoing list of possible solutions in the fight against USB (Unreliable Serial Bus) problems. Make sure your computer is free from malware before trying them. Don’t be intimidated by the length of the list as many of them will not apply to your error or your device and some you may have already attempted. Read through and/or print the list and try any that seem significant. In no particular sequence, they are:

NOTE. I have reduced the list to what I think may help with your problem.

1. If the device has worked in the recent past, use system restore to return the computer to a state before it stopped working. Unfortunately, the odds are against it but it has worked for others.
2. Access Device Manager by going to Start > Run, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to see if the drive appears under "˜Disk drives‘. If it does, right-click it > Properties > Policies Tab and check if you have a "˜Quick Removable’ check box. A USB external "˜drive’ should have a check in this box. Restart the computer if you change anything.
4. If it’s a storage device, right-click My Computer > Manage > Disk Management. Right-click the disk’s graphic icon and change the drive letter to one nearer the end of the alphabet. If it doesn’t have a letter, assign one to it.
16. If a device or port appears to go into a power save state, go to Device Manager > USB Controllers right-click the USB Root Hub > Power Management Tab and make sure there is not a tick in "˜Allow computer to turn of this device to save power’. Repeat it for all the USB Root Hubs.
17. The device may be identified as "˜Unknown’, so go to Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices. Expand the USB section and right-click each Unknown Device and choose Uninstall. Restart the computer. Plug the device in and the drivers should be installed.
19. Here is another registry change, so you may want to create a system restore point before making the change. Go to Start > Run, type regedit, press Enter and navigate to registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ In the left pane, click hidusb and look in the right pane for a key named Start which should have a value of 3. If it’s not, right-click it > Modify and make it 3. A value of 4 indicates that it is "˜Disabled’.
Scroll down in the left pane for other keys beginning with USB (probably 8+ occurrences), click them all in turn and check that Start has a value of 3. If you change any, restart the computer and then plug in the device.
21. Go to Start > Run, type services.msc and press Enter. Scroll down to the Plug and Play service and make sure it is set to Automatic and that it is running.
24. Here are two websites to look at; Everything USB forum here http://www.everythingusb.com/forums/ and troubleshooting tips here http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html#write_protected
25. Creating a new account sometimes works. Create a new Administrator account via Control Panel > User Accounts. Log on to the new account, can you view the device? If so, you need to copy all the data from the old user account to the new user account. You may have to go to Folder Options > View Tab and put a check in "˜Show hidden files and folders‘.
29. Try an "˜Autoplay’ repair here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...-a171-1b389cfacdad&displaylang=en&Hash=LJ6SCR

Post back here with your findings as there are a few more things to try.

 

I'll try those when I get home and have access to my computer and the drive. I have to admit that I'm semi-sceptical that they will work though because most of them seem to focus on the computer being the issue and not the device. I've tried the device on a couple different computers and same thing happens each time. Hopefully you prove me wrong!

Thanks
~C

 

I, too, am unconvinced but you must explore every possible avenue.

Good luck.

 

Hey

So I'm at home and have tried everything on the list except the last 3 with no luck. Everything is as it should be according to your list.

The drive will start running but never links to the computer. Then after a few seconds of running (maybe 15 or so) it will shut down like it's not in use. I'm almost POSITIVE that it's the drive that won't run, not the USB connector on my computer.

Thanks
~C

 

Have you tried a Live Linux distro (booting from CD no installation required) to see if the drive is recognised with that?

 

In all honesty I don't know what that is Wildfire. I'll try it if you want.

I did a search and it appears that others have had the same issue with their drive. One says that if you use the wrong power adapter it could do this - so I went and found all the adapters I could and tried them all... nothing.

SimpleTech states that they'll warranty the drive but won't recover the data. I can go to a data recovery place but hate spending the money... although the data is worth it if they can do it... grrr... so frustrating.

 

Linux is an operating system (as is Windows), but sometimes it can be more reliable with problematic devices. Do a search for "Linux Live Cd" and download one. The Live CD versions don't require installation so no changes to your existing HD(s) are necessary.

So a search advised not to use the wrong adapter and you did use at least one wrong adapter

Data recovery is an option but can be very expensive, there are still other options but some may void that warranty and none promise success. Is an attempt to recover the data more important than your warranty or would you rather have a new drive?

 

Yeah I did use at least one wrong adapter hoping that it would be the issue but it lights up and does the exact same thing - nothing more, nothing less.

As far as recovery - we'd rather have the information than a new drive... this has info and stuff from the past.... 8 years?? Not something lightly lost...

 

Ok, with regards the LIVE CD, have you tried it (this won't affect your warranty), if not I'd say take that as a first step. In the future though you may consider having a backup policy in place.

 

Haven't tried it as of yet but will tonight. We got it to connect up for a SHORT second by messing with the USB and power plug in which tells me there's a faulty connection somewhere in the drive.

And this WAS out backup policy... our laptop had crashed a while ago (thankfully there wasn't much on it) and so we decided to back up both of our drives to the external HD... I guess we need a backup to a backup to a backup to a backup...

 

Ok, if it's a faulty connector and you're happy enough you could try dismantling the case and connect the drive internally to your system (or buy another external case). This procedure would probably void your warranty but giving what you've wrote it'd possibly be more successful than the Linux route.

Let us know what you decide and how you get on


Edit: I'm assuming you've tried another USB cable, if not try that first.