Solved Windows 7 doesn't recognize my external HDD

[seavixen32]

You have to try and help yourself and unless we know your model number, it's very hard for us to help.

You'll find help on any support page, but you have to search for it.

http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/main/supportMain.do

Click on the link for Support, then PC & Office and select your product. From there you should be able to find a link for drivers for your chipset.

 

[essenbe]

It is on the back of the laptop, a long bar code with model# on top, it starts of NP-

 

[mjf]

Sometimes external HDDs don't get enough grunt to power them via the USB port (could be boarderline). Different USB ports can deliver more current at 5v than others. Try using a powered USB hub as a test.

 

[docjoe]

Samsung NP-R580-JSB1US

 

[essenbe]

Make sure this is your laptop

Samsung

You can click on Manual-Driver-software and firmware

Update your drivers by OS type especially the chipset drivers.

 

[seavixen32]

Download drivers here: Samsung

Just click the Drivers link and you'll find the Windows 7 chipset drivers towards the bottom of the list.

Essenbe, I think we got there in the end.

 

[mjf]

OP,
It would be useful for others to post back if updating your Samsung laptop drivers resolved your external HDD problem.

 

[docjoe]

thnq essenbe & seavixen32,
earlier i had tried out

and according to the

Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility (Chipset INF)

Product Detected:
Current Version Installed 9.1.1.1025 This version is valid.


in the samsung website Driver > windows 7 64 bit > its the exact same Chipset version do i still need to download it?????


Thnq mjf,
for ur support. I will certainly inform all of u if my problem is resolved.. but how do i verify the power issue..?
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

 

[mjf]

A power issue is only one suggestion. USB flash/pen drives require ~100mA which is a lot less than a portable HDD.

 

[docjoe]

thnq mjf for the idea.. but.. is there anyway i can increase the power to the USBs..? and besides how can d power issue suddenyl happen cos d hdd was working just fine a month ago

 

[mjf]

how can d power issue suddenyl happen cos d hdd was working just fine a month ago

If absolutely everything is the same (eg. you haven't plugged in an extra peripheral etc) then to me it points to the ext HDD and not specifically a power issue. I would try the ext HDD on a friend's PC and use diagnostics on the drive as suggested earlier.

The driver update may be the solution. I'm sure essenbe will add more here.

 

[docjoe]

OMG!!! GUYS I SOLVED THE PROBLEM.. out of sheer frustration.. i did the following:
plugged in my HDD..
> "DING DONG"
> Device manager
> Disk drive
> "Tosoiba exxernal rdd USB" (wonder y it reads it lik dat)
> uninstall
> (it disappears)
> unplug device
> plug in again
> automatically detects and installs
> AND BOOM its WORKING!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

i hope my problem does not happen again!!!! if it does i will b bac.. lol.. although none of ur inputs really fixed the problem.. i must say.. thnq essenbe, seavixan32 and mjf for all your help.. i really appretiate it.. anywayz.. my name is Dr.Nithin Joe.. nice meeting with you all

 

[seavixen32]

Well done doc! The procedure you carried out often produces a result after a device hasn't been recognised or a driver hasn't correctly installed.

Nice to meet you too and thanks for the feedback.

 

[essenbe]

I'm glad you have it working again.

 

[docjoe]

thnx again for all ur support.. keep up the gud work guyz..

 

[mjf]

Good to see you got it working. It had to be related to the external disk. In this case apparently the Windows plug n play driver for the external HDD. It's curious how it suddenly played up.

 

[docjoe]

guyz.. 1 more problem.. dis time its my

CR523 High Speed US2.0 All in 1 Multiple Card Reader (pink)

it isn bein recognized by Windows 7.. but it is recognized by vista.. any ideas.. i tried everythin i did for d HDD.. no luck

 

[UKTrojan]

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.

Thanks, essenbe. I followed these instructions and was able to get my laptop to see/read my Toshiba external hdd.

props.

 

[essenbe]

I'm very glad you have it working. Good job.