help with USB HDD

Hi, I have not done much tech work with laptops and currently that is the only computer I have. Well my problem is I have a 320GB HDD that I can connect via a USB cable. I can't access the disk at all. I have tried using computer mang. and format but it fails every time.

I need a way via USB to format or otherwise make this disk usable to me. If I can get it working again I will end up getting a 2.5" case for it and have a nice large USB drive.

I currently am running windows 7 RC as my main OS. I could use something else if needed. Either way I need to find a way to make it usable without a desktop. If a desktop is my only way then I guess I need some friends LOL.

I know the adapter is good as I have another 250GB drive that works great on it. From what I know about the drive it was in a laptop that was BIOS locked and damaged, the drive was taken out before the password was recovered. I thought I could delete the partition/s or low level format it but all the software I can find don't work on USB it needs a desktop. I am just looking to do it via USB as thats all I have avail currently. Granted I can wait another month and will have a desktop again but like the need for new leaks on windows 7 Iwant to play now.

Not so heavy on the meds right now but will be again as I just found out I have a pinched nerve in my neck and 2 crushed nerves in my right shoulder. Right kidney now right shoulder too bad I can't replace parts like I do with computers LOL.

I bought a couple of these from eBay to play around with ext USB adapter Hard Drives

USB TO LAPTOP NOTEBOOK ADAPTER HDD IDE HARD DISK DRIVE

McBlzr said:

I bought a couple of these from eBay to play around with ext USB adapter Hard Drives

USB TO LAPTOP NOTEBOOK ADAPTER HDD IDE HARD DISK DRIVE

well that makes it connect via USB which I already do via a taken apart 2.5" enclosure. I found some adapters that might work to convert it to IDE if I can't find an updated desktop. So I know my local computer store has the hardware I just don't have the access to a desktop ATM.

Is it a IDE or sata hard drive?

its a Toshiba 320GB 2.5" SATA drive.
specs from toshiba
320GB capacity*
Rotational Speed of 5,400rpm
9.5mm High
12ms Average Seek Time
Serial ATA 2.6/ATA-8 Interface
Host Transfer Rate up to 1.5 Gb/s
8MB Buffer
300,000 MTTF Hours

Is it getting enough power from USB port or is there a seperate connector for power?

it powers up just fine, I can see it in windows 7 computer Manag/disk Managment and the only option avail for the drive is the properties I can't assign a letter format nothing.

Can you right click on it & get a menu to initalize?