Solved Windows 7 doesn't recognize my external HDD

[docjoe]

PLEASE HELP.. Im new to this website.. but seems promising..
I hav a Samsung R580
Windows 7 Home Premium
64bit 4GB RAM
i5 CPU 2.27GHz

problem is my 250GB ext hard disk was workin just fine on my laptop.. but then all of a sudden.. is jus wont get recognized.. the light on d drive comes on.. but i dont see anything on MY COMPUTER.. but my hard disk is recognized by vista without problem..
i tried uninstallin all d USB devices thru device manager.. but no luck..

plz help.. thnx a TON!!

 

[TVeblen]

Hello docjoe. Welcome to the Forum.

I gave this suggestion http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...top-suddenly-stopped-working.html#post1532312 in another post here just a few hours ago.

Try that fix and see if it works for you.

TIP: One of the best ways to use SevenForums is to take advantage of the SEARCH tool. There is always a very good possibility that your issue or question has come up before. Always look for the threads marked SOLVED first.

 

[docjoe]

thnx for d help TVeblen... i tried it.. disabled it and connected.. same problem continues.. nw i enabled it again.. wat to do/?

 

[essenbe]

If you haven't already go to device manager and see if it shows up there. Sometimes they 'lose' their drive letter. Also get the diagnostic tool from the hard drive manufacturer and make sure the drive is OK. At least then you will know it is the computer and not the drive.

 

[docjoe]

thnq essenbe,
well in device manager it does show up in DISK DRIVE as.. "Tosoiba Exxernal USB rDD USB Device".. but still does not show up on MY COMPUTER.. its wierd.. cos i no dis is original.. and it used to show as Toshiba.. but ever since dis recognising problem started.. this is wats goin on..

Things i hav already tried:
1. Rebooting wid drive plugged in
2. Uninstalling USB drives and restarting
3. Virus scan (clean)
4. USB Selective Suspend - Turn On or Off

Still no luck.. plz. help.. if it makes it easier to talk.. and if u don mind.. plz.. send me ur contect no. and i will call u.. thnx

 

[essenbe]

In Disk Management, Not device Manager, Right click on the drive, select change drive letter or path, click add, then select a drive letter, click OK and exit. It should show up in computer. If in this process it wants to format it, select no, or you will lose all data on it.

 

[docjoe]

thnq essenbe,
i tried doing that.. went to disk management.. saw the HDD as "Disk1".. but when i right clicked and chose "change drive letter".. the following msg came up.. i restarted the comp.. and the same continues..
wat to do now?!?!? :S

 

[seavixen32]

thnq essenbe,
well in device manager it does show up in DISK DRIVE as.. "Tosoiba Exxernal USB rDD USB Device".. but still does not show up on MY COMPUTER.. its wierd.. cos i no dis is original.. and it used to show as Toshiba.. but ever since dis recognising problem started.. this is wats goin on..

Things i hav already tried:
1. Rebooting wid drive plugged in
2. Uninstalling USB drives and restarting
3. Virus scan (clean)
4. USB Selective Suspend - Turn On or Off

Please remove your e-mail address ASAP unless you want to get swamped with spam - thank you.

 

[essenbe]

I would first suggest you run Toshiba's diagnostic tool to make sure the Hard drive is functioning correctly. Next, at the top of the page click on 'user CP' and fill out your system specs so we will be aware of what hardware you have.
You will find a link in the left column.

 

[essenbe]

Docjoe, as Seavixen requested, please remove your email address for your own protection.

 

[docjoe]

thnx seavixen32 & essenbe
i appretiate ur concern.. and the helping attitude of this website.. i some how thought my problem wud fall on deaf years... its great to hav a forum like this thanks to guyz lik u.. but about the software diagnostic tool.. im not able to open it.. but when i checked thru device manager.. it says.. the HDD is up to date.. and well the HDD works fine coz it is being recognized by vista..
i shall put up my specs now

 

[essenbe]

docjoe, let's try this. Click the start button and type cmd, on the file right click it and select 'run as administrator'. In the command prompt that opens copy/ paste sfc /scannow it will take a few minutes to run. It is a system file checker that will check and attempt to repair the integrity of system files. If it finds files it can't repair, you may need to run it 3 or 4 times.

 

[docjoe]

thnq essenbe,
i did that with my HDD connected.. after a couple of mins it said
"Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."

worried nw.. but thankz a ton for ur support so far.. any other ideas?

 

[seavixen32]

Make sure your external hard drive is disconnected and restart your computer.

When it's up and running, connect your external drive. If Windows doesn't see it, try it in all of your USB ports.

You may also want to check your motherboard specs and see if there are any later chipset drivers for it as the USB controllers rely on a fully-working motherboard.

Have another look in Device Manager and see if anything shows up there as being a problem.

 

[docjoe]

Thnq seavixen32,

but i hav already tried:
1. Rebooting with and without HDD being plugged in
2. Tried all ports (no HDD is bein recognized but pen drives r recognized!!!)
3. Uninstalling USB drives and restarting
4. Virus scan (clean)
5. USB Selective Suspend - Turn On or Off
6. Command Prompt (sfc /scannow) came out as no integrity violations

HELP!!!!!!! :S has any1 gone thru so much and still bin stuck? or am i d 1st 1?

 

[docjoe]

seavixen32,
how do i check for "later chipset drivers for my mother-board".. i hav no idea.. it'd b great if u cud tell me how.. thnq

 

[seavixen32]

Downloads SAMSUNG

Just do a search on your laptop and you'll be able to download any drivers you need.

I always save them to my external hard drive as backup, and then install them from there.

 

[docjoe]

i just went to

and according to that:

Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility (Chipset INF)

Product Detected
Current Version Installed 9.1.1.1025 This version is valid.

 

[docjoe]

thnq seavixen32,
but in the samsung website i could only find User manuals.

 

[essenbe]

What is the model# of your laptop, it should start with NP-