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General discussion

SimpleTech SimpleDrive External HD problems

Sep 27, 2006 1:43AM PDT

I purchased the SimpleTech 160Gb USB 2.0 External Hard Drive from Circuit City a few weeks ago. I installed it yesterday after setting up my new computer. I am having some problems, I'm not sure if it is me or the product.

1). The instructions say that Windows XP will install and recognize the drivers automatically. When I plug it in the PC and turn it on, Windows says the drivers were installed. I checked, they were installed and say they are working properly. However, when I try to open the hard drive in My Computer, it does not show up. It says in the instructions that is where it would be. It doesn't sound right to me and I'm not sure what to do. So, I tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers, but it didn't change anything.

One other thing, I tried to use it on my old computer to transfer some files and I could not find it on that system either. So, it doesn't appear that it is the computer that is the problem.

2). After I had the drive hooked up, I installed the software, StorageSync. It installed just fine, but, when I go to do a back up, it says that I have the wrong media drive. Again, I tried uninstalling and reinstalling and it didn't work. I found one area that is called Drives and you can choose what drive you want to be the Source Drive or Target Media Drive. So, I moved the C drive over to the Target drive and left D in the source. I then went in and tried to back up again. This time, all that was listed for a backup was D. So, I tried it again and it backed up just fine. However, I went in to C and was able to find the backup, so it appears that it just created the backup on my C drive rather than putting it on the external hard drive.

Since I can't find the hard drive on my computer, there is no way for me to see if the files are on there at all.


Does anyone have anything I can try for this? I have tried just about everything I can think of, and since I'm not real good at these things, it is a pretty basic level.

Thanks for any help

Discussion is locked

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Lies.
Sep 27, 2006 1:57AM PDT

Unless your machine and the OS installed proper, that item 1 is untrue. Never has Windows done this. Who writes this stuff?

I'd help out but no machine details are shared. Here's the generic version.

1. Don't use the front USB ports.
Why? Very few machines have USB 2.0 wiring. Keep USB 1.1 devices on those ports.

2. Install the latest motherboard drivers.
Why? Microsoft and others don't do this for you. I can't offer where to get them since not a word about the machine.

Best of luck,

Bob

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What system info do you need?
Sep 27, 2006 10:08AM PDT

I'm not sure what you need, but I can supply it if that will help.

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More than that.
Sep 27, 2006 10:37AM PDT

Sorry. But armed with only your posts I can't offer more.

You could read the forum note you see with each post (those words in red.)

Bob

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Sorry, here are the specs
Sep 28, 2006 11:40AM PDT

HP a1550y
XP Home
Intel PEntium D 2.8ghz
1gb RAM
80GB hard drive

And then the hard drive is the SimpleTech 160gb USB 2.0 CC-USB235/400

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There's a nugget.
Sep 28, 2006 1:10PM PDT

XP Home doesn't support USB 2.0 until it's patched up and I found it had issues even with SP1. I move to SP2 quickly.

Also I head to intel.com and find the motherboard chipset drivers.

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=816&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Home+Edition&lang=eng&strOSs=45&submit=Go%21 writes " This utility installs INF files that
inform the operating system how to properly configure the
chipset for specific functionality such as USB and AGP."

Until SP2 and these chipset drivers are installed, I don't see why it should work.

Best of luck,

Bob

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SimpleTech SimpleDrive External HD problems
Sep 20, 2011 7:09AM PDT

My SimpleTech Simple Drive External did exactly the same thing. I actually paid and the tech guy said it works fine on his computer. But it doesn't work on my computer or another newer computer either. I'm ready to toss it but I have so much data on it. Has anyone found a solution?

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Motherboard drivers
Sep 20, 2011 7:10AM PDT

Where do you find a motherboard driver? Yes I'm serious.

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I gave the link above. 5 years later?
Sep 20, 2011 7:16AM PDT

The only reason I can guess you added something here after 5 years is you have the same board.
Bob

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simple tech drive + whiskey = working now
Oct 28, 2011 11:07AM PDT

Tore my simple tech 1tb drive apart

thought it was scrap anyway, since my laptop could not read it anymore.

looked at it closer and thought if it was not the power then the communication was an issue,

push the silver locking tab down to hold in the mini or usb communication cord plug. the tab that helps hold in the plug that is on the board. (you'll see it if you tear yours apart too)

drive operates now, and i will be putting the plastic back on the drive and call it good.

the drive is a western digital, so i new it wasnt the drive itself, have 1 on my computer that i had over 10 years now !!
this mini usb plug i unplug, plug in a lot to keep desk space clear, so if your do the same its probable this same communication issue

tool required - brain and a small screwdriver, and some whiskey since i was wanting to watch a movie on the external.

hope this helps with your drive.