Windows (do you run that and what version) is not bug free or perfect. Add to that the variety of hardware and your issue is not unknown. You seen to think there is a do this fix but some that run XP won't install SP2. Some own 'built' machines with the wrong wiring to the front USB ports. While both play a role in some complaints, the details are too lite in your post.
For the front ports issue, move the drive to the rear ports.
As to the add new hardware issue, you may have revealed that you are not aware of Microsoft's history. That tool while discussed in some books and web content is not what it seems.
Bob
I have an internal HD (Seagate) installed in an aluminum case (Adaptec-type), which is powered, and uses USB to connect to my main PC.
It's been working fine. I had installed some updates for the main computer. I needed to restart the computer to finish the installation of the updates, of course.
I shut off the power switch to the USB hard drive, then rebooted the computer.
Typically, I've shut off the USB drive before, and when I powered it back up, it will do an "auto scan," which I cancel, and then the drive shows up.
This time, when I powered it up, it said, "new hardware found" and it showed a name "24."
I cannot find this drive anymore.
I thought that I should do a system restore point, so I did...one day from today. This didn't change anything.
I have the utility disc for the drive, but I'm not sure what I need to do with it.
By the way, what is the purpose of "add new hardware" in the control panel, if it doesn't detect new hardware? I've always had trouble with this feature. If I install the "CD" to get the files, it asks me to "browse" for the files. How the hell do I know what files I need, if I don't know which ones to look for?
Or, if I even need to use the CD's files, at all?
I can feel the drive running. This drive is only a couple of months old, and was running just swimmingly a few minutes ago, until I shut it off, and installed the updates on the main computer.
Please walk me through the corrective action I need, to get this disk to show up again.
Thanks.
Al

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