External USB Hard Drive Problems

Thanks Major Bud. I don't but I will likely go and get one. However I posted the issue on the Answers Home Page site and they responded with the following (in case others are having the same issue):
I suggest you to run a scan on both the computer to scan for error.
1. Click Start
2. Type: CMD, from the results, right click CMD->Click 'Run as Administrator'
3. At the Command Prompt, type: chkdsk /r
When you restart your system, your computer will be scanned for errors and attempts will be made to correct them.

This seems to have helped quite a bit after I tested by transferring large video files (500mb). However I do have intermittent problems that after transferring a file in that I cannot read from the external drive and when replugging it in I get the message "driver software was not successfully installed". I then restart and its OK.

Same problem here, my external hard drive would stop while copying contents, then the bubble "USB device not recognized" pop up.
By the way, the hotfix does not work for me. When I clicked on your link and requested the hotfix, I can only find the x86 version (my pc is 64-bit):

Select Product Language Platform Release File name Version Build File size (bytes) Modified date Windows 7/WindowsServer 2008 R2All (Global)x86sp1fix296521

And yes, same problem with my iPod. If I was restarting my computer, all my devices would be recognized normally, the problem only occurred when transferring data. I can only hope for this

This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

Omnia vanitas, did you try the fix in my message above, CMD, etc.? It does seem to have helped me in transferring files, except my USB external drive sometimes just stops being recognised while in use.
Also can you provide the link to the latest quote in your message about the hotfix receiving additional testing so i can keep an eye out for it? Thanks.

I am running Win7 64Bit on HP p6280t (Core2-Quad), 6 GB RAM and have several external USB drives connected. I am having similar problems when moving large files to these external USB drives using Windows file copy. When I used another program (Second Copy) to copy the files, it works fine. But if using normal Windows file copy with very many or very large files, it eventually quits responding. There is no error message, the file just stops moving.

This machine has the Intel ICH9 Family USB Host Controller, so it does not qualify for the Nvidia based hotfix mentioned above.

I have run chkdsk on these external drives without any improvement. I also noticed that it stopped responding when I ran Windows Defrag on the external drives.

I've been battling this for several weeks without success. Any suggestions?

Yes I think I can help. I received advice from Microsoft Support Hotfix won't work for external USB hard drive problems
They gave me two methods. The second worked for me. I have had no problems since. Here are the two methods:

Method 1: Try to update the driver for the device and check if it works.
Refer the following link for more information:
Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly

Method 2: Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If your computer is having problems with a recently installed device or other hardware, try using the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to fix the problem. It checks for common issues and makes sure that any new device or hardware attached to your computer was installed correctly.
Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting. Under Hardware and Sound, click Configure a device.* If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Hope this helps

The frustrations continue... I tried both methods above and no joy.
Windows update reports "No important updates available."
The USB HDD drive in question reports a valid Windows USB Disk driver from 6/21/2006. Search Windows update for new drivers reports:
"The best driver software for your device is already installed."

The Hardware & Device troubleshooter reports:

Problems found
Hardware changes might not have been detected.

I should've added this one. The other fixes related to the external drive failing to be recognised after using for some time, which was another problem I had. It was the following that fixed the problem with transferring large files. Sorry about the confusion and hope this works (follow the instructions closely, including, I think, the space after chkdsk). It does take quite a while for the scan to be completed. But it solved the problem for me:

I suggest you to run a scan on both the computer to scan for error. 1. Click Start
2. Type: CMD, from the results, right click CMD->Click 'Run as Administrator'
3. At the Command Prompt, type: chkdsk /r
When you restart your system, your computer will be scanned for errors and attempts will be made to correct them.
Note:
Important: While performing chkdsk on the hard drive if any bad sectors are found on the hard drive when chkdsk tries to repair that sector if any data available on that might be lost

Yes, I ran the chkdsk /r, but it was no help. The USB HDD problems persist. It is not just one drive, I've tried several with the same pathetic results.

The only thing I can suggest is go to the microsoft social answers forum where the person there was really helpful and helped solve my problems which was also with several drives. The link is Microsoft Answers Forums
The specific link that solved my problems was: Hotfix won't work for external USB hard drive problems

Same problem here. Upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and none of the external USB-storage storage drives are working anymore after upgrade from Vista. My motherboard is Asus P5E Deluxe WIFI (Intel P38 chipset).

I've tried two different USB-drives from LaCie and one from WD, don't work, also USB memories don't work either. I've also tried installing separate Belkin's USB-card - did not help either.

All other USB-devices work just fine (keyboard, mice, scanner, UPS). USB drives are being detected by Windows 7, but they just show up "empty" or "uninitialized". Same drives work just fine with my laptop's Windows 7 32-bit.

Samuli / samuli@verkkokauppa.com