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General discussion

External Hard Drive USB Port does not recognize anymore

Oct 25, 2009 7:08AM PDT

My Western Digital External Hard dive (Book) isn't being recognized by my Dell Latitude d820 laptop any more.In addition I am getting a Power Surge on Hub Port message saying the device has exceeded the power limits of the hub port. Then it take me to a window where I have to reset the port. But it doesn't fix anything. When I plug the device back in it doesn't show up anymore. It has it's own power source. I also have tried plugging it into the wall but that didn't help either. I have not had any surge problems. The external drive will work on my desktop. It will not work on any of the 5 USB ports. Sometimes I can shut down and restart. Occasionally the drive will show up but after about 3 minutes it will go out and I get the surge message. I have read all the other forums about similar problems and tried a few of the "fixes" but nothing is just like this problem and didn't work. I use this drive for my photos and need to access it using Lightroom. I really like using the laptop for this and hate to move it to my desktop. Any ideas? Please help me solve this problem.

Discussion is locked

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Re: usb port
Oct 25, 2009 7:23AM PDT

Without external power, and only relying on the power from the USB, this is a typical and expected message for an external hard disk. But when powered from the wall it should work. So if it doesn't, either something is wrong with the power adapter (get your voltmeter and check if it still works, replace if necessary) or with the power-related electronics in the case (put the drive in another case then).

If you still have warranty, a simple visit to the shop should suffice. But it makes sense to backup the full contents of the drive, because they might decide to exchange it for a new one. This, by the way, is just an example of why it ALWAYS makes sense to have a backup of data on an external drive.

Kees

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Kees
Oct 25, 2009 7:39AM PDT

Thanks for your response. I do have everything backed up on another exernal drive on my desktop. I have about 24,000 photos on it. If the drive has problems how come it works just fine on my desktop. If the usb has problems how come a flash drive will work?

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2 things.
Oct 25, 2009 8:01AM PDT
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RProfitt
Oct 25, 2009 8:17AM PDT

I have searched here and on Goggle for help.
My external drive already has its own power source and does not need power from the usb to run. Here's the link to one solution (more power) http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7590_102-0.html?messageID=1270501&tag=forums06;posts#127050

And I don't have anything else in any of the USB ports and it still doesn't work on the laptop.

Thanks for trying though. I have tried several of the suggested that more closely fit my problem with no success. I am thinking it must be a problem with all of my usb ports. Perhaps they are coming loose from the motherboard and need to be reoldered.

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What I've done
Oct 25, 2009 11:20PM PDT

While ext. HD work great but when they don't it is problematic to find the cause. In no way does this reflect upon the still common recourse to be sure you have "backups", that's *plural*. Multiple backups is the only true and safe way to maintain your data. As you've noted, the problem is similar to yours or a common issue with ext. HDs when googling for the issue. You've checked USB port and ext. HD elsewhere and come back that they seem to work. I can summarize that in some way a possible s/w glitch is at work here. If the ext. HD used any install s/w, re-install it again. Check the ext. HD on another system using the HD maker's diags and see what results(caution: non-destructive tests). Laptops are just different. They're major hang-up will always be power. No matter how it is powered, a power issue will become apparent as yrs. go by. On top of that the circuitry is prone to power issues if and when surges/spikes/hits are noticed, it is not as robust as a desktop and of course repairs are more involved. So, in this light if not power that leaves a s/w glitch. I suggest you try a "repair mode" under the OS install disc or hidden HD partition and see if that reloads/refreshes the possible OS s/w required that may have been corrupted.

Last, in most cases like yours, I would try my test ext. HD and check results, another ext. HD/device using ext. AD-2020 adapter apparatus(google for it).

FYI- I've yet to find a broken laptop USB port, though some dirty ones. The USB actual port make-up is pretty tough and unless the laptop is way cheap it should survive most in/outs of connections.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Willy - It works
Oct 26, 2009 1:12PM PDT

I have fixed it for now anyway. I did not have to load the software that came with the drive last year when I originally connected it as it automatically recognized it. However, I installed the software, reconnected and it works! Thanks for your help.Hope this helps someone else with this problem. I am thinking it was a Microsoft update that caused the problem to start with.

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Your post didn't
Oct 26, 2009 12:33AM PDT

Write if you set that USB to ignore the USB error condition. Once you get the surge message it can be game over.

Go over that discussion and try that.
Bob

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R. Proffitt'
Oct 26, 2009 1:11PM PDT

I did try that but it did not solve the problem. However, I have fixed it for now anyway. I did not have to load the software that came with the drive last year when I originally connected it as it automatically recognized it. However, I installed the software, reconnected and it works! Thanks for your help.

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surge on port warning AGAIN
Oct 27, 2009 8:04AM PDT

I am getting the waring again and the drive stopped showing up after working for 24 hours. I am thinking I have some kind of short in it.

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Possible causes...
Oct 27, 2009 8:48AM PDT

Only an int. inspection of the USB solder lands maybe the last resort. These do become busted or blown open like a fuse. These become dislodged due to heat and current draw. When cold, they will work for a while until it becomes heated again the broken portions separate. -OR- the USB control IC is flaky as yet again due to current draw. I have found physical damage to the USB port itself at the point of connection. For whatever reason the metal contacts get peeled, scrapped or severe dirty contact. Inspect that area. Now, if the contacts touch each other they will disable that "USB hub" which can effect from 1-4 USB ports. Other than inspection, I don't know of any other cures, unless you mound some slot card. And if you do that and it still doesn't work, I strongly lean on s/w glitch. That's it...

tada -----Willy Happy