Need help, external HDD not connecting

[Lanthus20]

My 200Gb external hard disk is not working. I connect it, windows gives me the "bing" to tell me somethings been connected and its even in device manager. But it doesn't come up in my computer. I really need help because there is alot of family photo's on this thing that I would hate to lose. Some can probably be found in the computer, it's merely a backup of everything but I had an account deleted with about 2 hundred and the ones on the drive are the only copy's.

I've tried updating it's drivers, what now?

 

[Antony]

A couple of things might be helpful here - what type of HD is it and how is it connected to the network/pc? I had simular issues with a Buffalo external connected to my network. In the end all I did was uninstall the support software and reinstall it.

 

[whest]

Go to disk management and see if it has a drive letter assigned to it.
Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management
Right click the drive, and select change drive letters and paths.

 

[Lanthus20]

well I tried disk management, it comes up, says how big it is but says its "Not Initialized".

Heres a screenie

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It says "unallocated". That normally implies it is not a partition. Not what you want to see.

When did it last work properly and what may might you have done since that date that might have affected that drive?

 

[Lanthus20]

the last time it worked properly was about 2 months ago when I backed up some pictures, now I have some I want to but it won't let me use it.

 

[Lanthus20]

actually now I just realized I updated windows about that time..

 

[dizzyj7c]

There is a thread you might want to checkout and see if it applies to you :

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/1814-external-usb-hard-drive-problems.html

regarding problems with USB externals. Apparently the problems exists with some nVidia chipsets. There is a solution (a hotfix from MS) in the 3rd or 4th page.

 

[whest]

At a guess you need to download and install the intel matrix storage manager - if AHCI is enabled in the bios w7 will install the driver during installation of W7, but for correct functionality you need to install the matrix driver/software. Your board has a Intel® G31 Express Chipset w/Integrated Graphics which supports the matrix storage manager.

You will find it at the intel site - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx
Select chipsets - chipset software - intel(R) matrix storage manager - Select Operating System - select Windows 7 (64bit OR 32 bit) - select drivers - select intel(R) matrix storage manager 8.9.0.1023 - download and install.
(make sure you don't download the floppy configuration utility by mistake) - it will show up if you select utilities.

 

[Lanthus20]

@whest

it says

 

[Lanthus20]

There is a thread you might want to checkout and see if it applies to you :

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/1814-external-usb-hard-drive-problems.html

regarding problems with USB externals. Apparently the problems exists with some nVidia chipsets. There is a solution (a hotfix from MS) in the 3rd or 4th page.

it just took me back to the seven forums main page. Link is broken I think.

 

[whest]

Sorry about that I found a a pdf with your system showing the the G31 CHIPSET, and looked it up on the intel site and it said it was supported -so no harm done but Im a little puzzled so I'll do some more binging and try to find out some more info.

 

[Lanthus20]

ok thanks.

 

[Lanthus20]

Bump.

Any other suggestions? it still isn't working

 

[whest]

you could try this at least it will tell if your system files arent corrupted or you can restore them from the w7 install dvd - click start - all programs - accessories - right click command prompt and select run as administrator - in the window type, or paste by right clicking in window - edit - paste - (ctrl + c to copy firstly) SFC /scannow.

 

[manhunter2826]

What interface does the drive have? usb, e-sata? Are u plugging into a hub or directly into the usb port? does the drive have enough 'juice' for it to be recognized? Sometimes, you have a separate power usb cable.

 

[madmansam]

well I tried disk management, it comes up, says how big it is but says its "Not Initialized".

Heres a screenie
View attachment 44330

I can not see a driver letter here ... have you tried to right click and assign a letter ??

 

[Lanthus20]

manhunter, it is plugged in directly to a usb 2.0 port, I have tried 1.0 ports as well. It also has a power cable thats seperate then the usb cable.

Madmansam, no i have not tried. I will though.

 

[tabreslin]

External HDD not connecting

I suspect that the disk was improperly removed from a computer at an earlier time and now needs to be reformatted. Your "screenie" displays as much.

I would probably make sure I had all updates installed on my Windows operating system and then go into Device Manager and delete/uninstall the problem device. Restart Windows and let it recognize and install the device. If that does not solve the problem, you might search for a forgotten install CD or search online for one.

Sometimes these devices have a reset button which does not delete data, it just fixes these types of situations.

Frustrating problem. Good luck.