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External Hard Drive Problem

by rthomas268 / October 6, 2010 6:36 AM PDT

Recently purchased this Win7Pro HP computer. Today I attempted to connect an external hard drive. Hard drive plugs into a USB port on the front of the computer case. Windows identified it but couldn't locate any drivers, wanted me to check for updates (turns out it was for Windows Updates which weren't turned on since I made my purchase). So I was diverted and took care of that process. The external HD was never successfully installed so it is unplugged.
Now when I go to 'Computer' I see four removeable disks - F, G, H, and I. Is there any way to remove them? I don't know why they are there - nothing is plugged in.

I also would like to find out if it is going to be possible to use the external HD. Where should it be plugged in? How do I check if the usb port is 2.0? Will the mfg have drivers?

Thanks,

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Now try
by R. Proffitt Forum moderator / October 6, 2010 6:40 AM PDT

The USB ports on the read usually deliver more power and more speed.

I've seen the front ports fail too often.
Bob

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Re: external hard drive
by Kees_B Forum moderator / October 6, 2010 6:46 AM PDT

The 4 removable disks, most likely, are from a card reader (for an SD-card from etc). Have a look if you see anything like that in the case. No problem then.

Any Windows PC from XP upward should be able to use an external drive with the built-in drivers. I've never needed to install anything. Try again?

Kees

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Got it
by rthomas268 / October 6, 2010 9:27 AM PDT

I asked a techie where I was picking up my husband's pc and he told me that the reason the 'removable disks' showed up was thru the Windows Updates I did. Those drives are the four on the front of the machine.

Thanks

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