USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
       #1

    USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk


    Couple of hours ago my Windows 7 could not recognize my external USB hard disk (Maxtor Basic). It came up on Disk Management and Device Manager but not on My Computer. However I fixed it (by deleting its line off regedit in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices, plugging out the ext. HD and plugging back in). Windows automatically installed the drivers and I could access the drive.

    But now Windows shows my Maxtor as a fixed disk drive, instead of "devices with removable storage". I still have the option to "Safely remove hardware and eject media" from taskbar, however I rather have Windows treating it as a Removable USB Storage so that the disk can sleep when not in use. I am pretty sure it has something to do with regedit, so any help would be appreciated.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-my-computer.jpg   USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-disk-management.jpg   USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-regedit.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #2

    HDD


    Welcome to Windows 7 Support Forums, Sactyr.
    A word of caution! Its never a good idea to alter your register,
    IMHO please review your device manager and check your devices for your disk drives, check for any warnings in the driver area.
    I'm attaching my screenshot for comparison as I have a similar configuration.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-hdd.png  
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Adrian, thanks for your reply. I have attached my screenshot. Seems how it should be.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-device-manager.jpg  
    Last edited by sactyr; 26 Jun 2010 at 06:50. Reason: Attaching screenshot
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #4

    sactyr said:
    Hi Adrian, thanks for your reply. I have attached my screenshot. Seems how it should be.
    It looks like your NIC is offline.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Adrian said:
    sactyr said:
    Hi Adrian, thanks for your reply. I have attached my screenshot. Seems how it should be.
    It looks like your NIC is offline.
    Yes but that's to do with my WLAN card, and because I am not planning to use for the moment I don't have to fix that driver.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #6

    Power Settings


    I think I would use my Advanced Power Settings to change my USB device power settings because my USB drives are similarly configured in my Disk manager.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-disk_mgr.png   USB external hard disk shows up as internal fixed disk-pwr.png  
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thank you for that, but is there no way that I can make Windows load it as USB Removable Storage?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #8

    sactyr said:
    Thank you for that, but is there no way that I can make Windows load it as USB Removable Storage?
    Thats beyond my capability.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    Hi,
    I have my LG 500GB hdd recognized as nonremovable.

    I found that formating it as extFAT madeit apear as removable storage.

    -pp-
      My Computer


 

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