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Not reading an Ext HD

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Ishmael, 2011/03/28.

  1. 2011/03/28
    Ishmael

    Ishmael Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    2011/01/28
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    Dell PowerEdge SC440.
    Win XP Prof, SP3

    At start up my PC has recently started to display a message saying that it does not recognise a USB item - an external 300GB Maxtor Hard drive. The Device Manager then shows there is a problem with a USB device.
    The problem normally rectifies itself after several minutes or if I power it down for a moment.
    I have scanned for malware and did not find anything of note. Is it likely the HD is on its way out or might there be another possibility?
     
    Ishmael,
    #1
  2. 2011/03/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
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    There is a possibility that the external drive has issues - more likely with the disk controller in the case rather than the drive itself. A 300Gb drive is small by today's standards which suggests that it might be a few year's old and prone to failure.

    A few steps you should take before coming to that conclusion ......

    Try another cable and try another USB port

    Unplug all USB devices - mouse/keyboard excepted and go into Device Manager and uninstall all USB controllers and root hubs. Reboot and Windows will install them again. Test.

    Bear in mind that if the data on the external drive is not replicated on the computer's hard drive then your data is not backed up. Now would be a very good time to start a back up routine.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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