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General discussion

external hard drive not recognised

May 28, 2006 3:47AM PDT

I have been trying to read the discussion on this, but internet explorer keeps closing on me every time I select a response.
My dilemma is, you guessed it I have a 120GB hard drive from Maxtor, which don't work. I have tried many things but it still dont work. When I connect it to my PC it detects it as a USB Mass Storage' device and then when it tries to install it, it says there was an error with the installation and may not work correctly. You got it, it dont' not at all!!. I am using WinXP Home. Any suggestions? PLEASE, I am going nuts!!

Discussion is locked

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(NT) (NT) Did it come with drivers?
May 28, 2006 12:30PM PDT
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Yes, It came with drivers, but not for XP
May 28, 2006 6:04PM PDT

There was a CD with drivers on it. The disks was an SSI software pack with, drivers for win98 and win 2000. I am using WinXP home. This worked at first, I was able to transfer data over to it from my laptop. It worked for a while with no problems. It seemed to start to misbehave after I did a clean re-install on my Laptop. I would have to wait until the ex HD to warm up before it would work.

I have since tried to use it on my home PC also using XP home. Now it loads on PC, the system detects it as a Mass storage device, tries to install it and then says 'A problem occured during installation and it may not work correctly. It doesn't I have tried different USB leads, the power cable transformer is ok. I have tried different ports, all to no avail. I have looked at disk management and it is not there!

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I've just fixed a problem that sounded like that...
Jun 1, 2006 11:46AM PDT

I believe its a drive letter conflict. There are basically 2 ways to fix it:

1. Remove any other USB jump drives or mapped network drives that may be using drive letters d: through g: Then restart with the Maxtor device plugged in, it should then be reognised as "Local Disk" on whichever letter it picks up.

2. Find the USB device in Device Manager, right-click and go to properties, then manually select an available drive letter. Restart may be required.

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Thanks, I will try that
Jun 7, 2006 2:34AM PDT

Hi Thanks I will try that , when I get the mains lead back from the people I got it from. I am awaiting this to arrive back.

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Jumper setting/driver
Jun 9, 2006 10:36AM PDT

I just purchased a 20GB Maxtor, instwlled it in an external case - nothing. I tried master jumper setting and slave setting - no deal.
Do I need a driver loaded first?

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I have a similar problem, but ...
Oct 31, 2006 4:25AM PST

Hi, I was combing the knowledge base for help and found your entry. I have intstalled a Mad Dog MegaStor 7-in-1 External USB 2.0 DVD+-RW DL.

I use XP Home OS. The device installs automatically with windows and usb driver on a disk. Its been installed.

When I go to Device Mgr, USB 2.0 Storage Device shows up under headings:

Hard Disks
USB Controllers
USB Root Hub (properties)

I don't see any opportunity in Device Mgr to assign mapped letters. The only place I know of where that option shows is to Map network drives.

Can you give me some assistance in resolving my issue? I'd really appreciate your experise.

Regards, JellyBeaner

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