Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

problems with external hard drive

Jul 8, 2006 11:07PM PDT

I have an external hard drive which has worked fine for the pass 4 months. However, now the computer simply could not detect it. Usually there would be the USB icon and autoplay on windows when I connect the hard drive, but now, nothing pops out. I have also tried to use the add hardward under the control panel icon in the start button, but the icon for the hard drive was not there. I have checked the hard drive for any obvious physical damage, but I think the hard drive works fine since I can hear it spinning inside.

On the enclosure there are two LEDs; one marked as "LED" and another one as "R/W". Usually during autoplay or when there hard drive is reading, the "R/W" lights would be flickering. But now, it doesn't.

I am using windows XP
The hard drive is a 120 gb Maxtor
The enclosure is a ZDisk external storage from Cintre (model CI-330U2)

My question is this:

Is the hard drive or the enclosure is the problem since I can still hear and feel the hard drive is spinning but the "R/W" led on the enclosure is not flickering.

If the enclosure is the problem, I can simply replace it. But if the hard drive is damaged, I would lose all my pictures Sad

Please help me. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Try it on the other ports (rear ones) and...
Jul 9, 2006 12:20AM PDT

Considering it's only XP then USB support was so-so until Service Pack 2 came out. Why people don't install the updates is a mystery to me.

If the files are important, before attempting any repair on the machine or drive, have a friend try the drive.

Bob

- Collapse -
tried that but about the "R/W" LED.....
Jul 10, 2006 11:43AM PDT

I ve tried on other ports but I havent tried to yet wit my friends. Thanks for the idea.

I was concerned about the LEDs on the enclosure. The "R/W" LED is not blinking and usually it does when the hard drive is reading or working or wat ever it is called. Is that a big problem?

anasabmalek