Windows Vista Can't find Hardware in My Computer

plugged in my external hard drive into my USB port. My computer installed the necessary hardware successfully.

But when I try to find the device in My Computer it just doesn't show up. And I want to open it and transfer files onto it.

Help please. Thanks

 

Hi vinchai,

I have to admit I'm not familiar with Vista but have you formated the drive? With XP you'd do this via disk manager Start->Run->diskmgmt.msc.

Be sure to select the correct drive or you could face a major headache.

EDIT: If you think this is the problem but are worried then it's best for you to wait for a Vista user to give exact intructions. And by the way, welcome to the boards

 

Hi Vinchai,

I've just confirmed the steps in my previous post are the same for XP and Vista.

If you start disk manament -
start->run->diskmgmt.msc

format your new drive -
Right click the new drive and select format

and assign a drive letter -
Right click on the new partiton(s) and select "Change Drive Letters and Paths "

I hope this helps and please let us know how you get on.

 

In Vista you can also find diskmgmt.msc in "Administrative Tools" in the Control Panel. "Run" is soooooo Win98!
~J

 

But still works right through to Windows 7

In future I'll use the key combination of Win+R