IDE to USB problems

i have a 40 gig maxtor IDE Internal HDD, i got a 2.5 IDE to USB adapter and when i try to initialize the HDD it tells me the device is not ready how can if ix this?

You need to format the hard drive first
if you can't see the hard drive under my computer
type in "mmc" on run
on the next opening box.. go on "file" then "add......" > disk management" and click on ok..
The disk management will show all the harddrives connected to the machine.. find the external one and quick format it..