I cannot get my external hard drive to show up

[Enker]

I have been trying to get some pictures off of my external hard drive after a system reformat, and even though I have the drive plugged into the USB port in the back of the computer, it still refuses to show up. I am using a SimpleTech SimpleDrive 500GB hard drive and have had it for 6 months or so, if that helps. Any suggestions on how to get it to show up in My Computer? The little ON light on the front is on when I plug it in.

[Tigger29]

I would say that most likely your motherboard or USB drivers aren't installed.  Go to your motherboard's website and download them.

[AirFlyer]

Have you tried an more then one USB port on your computer, or better yet have you tried a USB port on an other computer? If it works on an other computer that isolates the problem to your computer specifically. I never used an external hard drive but I assume they work like an other Mass-Storage Device and should be PnP. Try my first suggestion as I'm curious to the result if you try it in an other comp. After that I'll see if I can't help you out better if someone else or yourself hasn't by then.

[gpwurzel]

What os Enkre? If its xp, mine does that sometimes. To resolve it, I force a run of Device Wizard (which should run automatically). IIRC, I go into my computer, properties, hardware, device manager - if it shows up on that with a yellow question mark. You should be able to do the same (I'm at work, otherwise I'd check for you)

Wurzel

[Enker]

Wurzel, it doesn't show up on the Device manager at all. I run XP.

AirFlyer, it worked in that USB port six days ago, and the only other computers I have in the house are Macs from before USB 2.0.

Tigger, where and how might I find out what motherboard I have? I am looking at the Device Manager, and have no idea as to what it is.

[AirFlyer]

The easiest way to find out your motherboard is to open DirectX Diagnostic.

Go to Start ---> Run ---> dxdiag

This will open a window for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Go under the system tab and look to see what your "System Model" is.

[gpwurzel]

Doh, I got it totally wrong - plug it in, and run the add new hardware wizard (control panel, add new hardware).

That may pick it up.

Wurzel

[Enker]

Alright,

Wurzel, it was not found by the Add New Hardware wizard.

And I installed my motherboards drivers, and it does not show up.


EDIT: Scratch that; We switched cables from a USB cord to a firewire cord. It works perfectly now. Thanks for the help though, I now have a working version of ATI CCC now.