Wrong Designation for External Hard Drive

[ColMac]

My operating system is Windows 7 32 bit Home Premium.

I have a Buffalo external hard disk drive which I use for backup.

The computer "Properties" for this drive defaults to:
ATAPI DVD/CD-ROM and
Authenticated Users.

I am unable to re-set the "Properties" to the desired:
Buffalo HDD USB drive and
Administrator

How can I override the computer default and set the correct "Properties"?

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

My operating system is Windows 7 32 bit Home Premium.

I have a Buffalo external hard disk drive which I use for backup.

The computer "Properties" for this drive defaults to:
ATAPI DVD/CD-ROM and
Authenticated Users.

I am unable to re-set the "Properties" to the desired:
Buffalo HDD USB drive and
Administrator

How can I override the computer default and set the correct "Properties"?

Are you able to access the device alright or is that a problem as well?

Thanks

 

[ColMac]

Thank you for responding to my post.

Yes, I am able to access the drive.

I right-click on it, and invoke Properties.

When I go to the tab and attempt to re-set "Security" in order to redefine "Users", I can move the highlighted line to "Adminstrators", and click on "OK", but it defaults back to "Authenticated Users".

When I go to the tab and attempt to re-set "Hardware" to "Buffalo External HDD USB Device" I have the same problem: it defaults back to "ATAPI DVD etc DVD/CD ROM Drive" after I click on "OK".

In both cases, the "Apply" filed is grayed out and does not operate.

Tried to modify the setup in BIOS, including disabling the automatic disk definition function, but couldn't accomplish anything worthwhile.

It is sort of annoying and frustrating.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Thank you for responding to my post.

Yes, I am able to access the drive.

I right-click on it, and invoke Properties.

When I go to the tab and attempt to re-set "Security" in order to redefine "Users", I can move the highlighted line to "Adminstrators", and click on "OK", but it defaults back to "Authenticated Users".

When I go to the tab and attempt to re-set "Hardware" to "Buffalo External HDD USB Device" I have the same problem: it defaults back to "ATAPI DVD etc DVD/CD ROM Drive" after I click on "OK".

In both cases, the "Apply" filed is grayed out and does not operate.

Tried to modify the setup in BIOS, including disabling the automatic disk definition function, but couldn't accomplish anything worthwhile.

It is sort of annoying and frustrating.

Ok. I think I see what's happening.

1. Hardware: You cannot reset any "hardware" for a device. All you are allowed to do is view the complete list of hardware drives connected to the system. Also, no matter which drive you access this list from, it will always highlight the first entry on the list [in your case, the ATAPI DVD drive because it's running alphabetical]. The fact that you have "Buffalo USB..." is a good thing. There is nothing to worry about here. I attached what I see on my mine as reassurance.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_W1boqS7O3R0/S9x_jU8MWvI/AAAAAAAAACE/m6ZosjhHHpY/external_hwl.jpg

2. Security: When you just "choose" another entry on the list, you are not actually doing any sort of settings change. You have to click EDIT to invoke the ability to make changes. See Image:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_W1boqS7O3R0/S9x_jrEzo-I/AAAAAAAAACI/mdhD2bGwzDc/extern_sec1.jpg

Since I have only one I don't quite apply to this case the same way but the way security works in W7 is as long as they are on the list, they get access. It doesn't matter who you've "highlighted". If you think one user or group needs different permission, click the edit button and you'll get this window:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_W1boqS7O3R0/S9x_jqhNjJI/AAAAAAAAACM/fjwDoJrw6M8/extern_sec2.jpg

Here you can highlight each entry and set the permissions below or add users or groups [see arrow].

I hope I've cleared it up for you a bit

In Summary: EVERYTHING IS WORKING JUST FINE.

 

[ColMac]

Thanks again.

I am resigned to my fate.

I have gone through the "Edit" function in the recent past, and found nothing worth changing. Was hoping to be able to re-designate the primary User as "Administrator" but the operating system for some reason is opposed to that, so I gave up.

And when you advise me, "You cannot reset any "hardware" for a device." I again find the computer has defeated me. My reason for attempting to re designate the external HDD as a HDD is to put an end to the appearance of the CD/DVD window asking if I want to run or open the drive to view files every time I do a cold startup. Why Windows 7 has decided the Buffalo HDD is a CD remains a mystery, and I was hoping there might be a way to eliminate this minor annoyance.

So, although I really am grateful for the time and effort you have expended in responding to my posts, I must respectfully disagree with your summary that everything is working just fine. Everything does work well; Win 7 is a whole lot more stable than Vista which is a welcome improvement; and the annoyances are minor. It would be nice, though, if even the minor bothers could be done away with.

So I soldier bravely onward, and again thank you for your efforts to help me.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Thanks again.

I am resigned to my fate.

I have gone through the "Edit" function in the recent past, and found nothing worth changing. Was hoping to be able to re-designate the primary User as "Administrator" but the operating system for some reason is opposed to that, so I gave up.

No particular "user" get's favoritism from the operating system. If all groups have the same permissions [which by default they do] every user and group will be able to do the same thing regardless.

If you could show me what your computer "thinks" should be first it might help me understand what you are describing.

And when you advise me, "You cannot reset any "hardware" for a device." I again find the computer has defeated me. My reason for attempting to re designate the external HDD as a HDD is to put an end to the appearance of the CD/DVD window asking if I want to run or open the drive to view files every time I do a cold startup. Why Windows 7 has decided the Buffalo HDD is a CD remains a mystery, and I was hoping there might be a way to eliminate this minor annoyance.

It is because of the content that is on your drive. If you have a lot of music on there, Windows may try to do suggest audio related tasks. Same for video and photos. That's just how "Autoplay" works.

So, although I really am grateful for the time and effort you have expended in responding to my posts, I must respectfully disagree with your summary that everything is working just fine. Everything does work well; Win 7 is a whole lot more stable than Vista which is a welcome improvement; and the annoyances are minor. It would be nice, though, if even the minor bothers could be done away with.

Everything is still just fine. I think you may be mis-understanding what windows is trying to do.

So I soldier bravely onward, and again thank you for your efforts to help me.

You're welcome.