Anyone know anything about external hard drives enclosure?

Question

My computer recently stopped working, so I took it to Staples and they said it was essentially dead, but the could retrieve the data and they put it in an external hard drive (an acomdata, 3.5" hard drive enclosrure).
But the problem lies in trying to open it. I'm operating on XP, my computer knows it's there because when I plug it in it makes a noise, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. It won't let me install the software because it says I don't need it.
And the "safely remove hardware" icon was in the tray but when I opened that, there's nothing there.

Also whatever's inside is rattling around, is that good?

Does anyone have any ideas, I really want to get my files off it!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

First, I would make sure the USB port was working.
Start,
Settings
Control Panel
System
Hardware
Device Manager
See if you can find the port - right-click on it and selece Properties
if the port is working o.k. --

were you using the port for anything else before plugging in the external hard drive?
I found out that that after "safely remove," sometimes the PC will not accept another USB device.

Here is the article on that:
Problem With USB Port – Can’t Reinstall USB Device – Plug & Play Problem
- With Windows Plug & Play feature, Windows is supposed to recognize any device plugged into a USB port -- the problem is after it recognizes something once, Plug & Play will never again try to install that device. You need to erase all memory of the device (printer etc) from the computer.
- Right-click on My Computer, cl Properties, click Hardware, click Device Manager.
- Click on the plus sign next to “Universal Serial Bus.” Look for the problem device’s name and right-click. Now Remove. Restart and reinstall.

Source: Article by James Coates, Chicago Tribune.
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Personal Notes:
1. I found that if I did not go through the “safely remove” procedure before unplugging a USB device, the computer did not recognize another item. I had to reinsert the first item, “safely remove,” then plug in another item. This must be like shutting down for USBs.
2. Some flashdrives are to be removed at shutdown, and reinserted after startup. This is stated on the literature that accompanied my SONY 1G flashdrive. I do not recall seeing this instruction for my Cruzer 1G, but I suspect it is the same. I found that if I leave it connected, I cannot access files. After removing it and reinserting, files are there. A couple other smaller, older flashdrives do not seem to have this problem.
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You may have to temporarily uninstall whatever you were previously using on that port.

Answer 2

you will have the skill to try this. in case you open the casing up, there'll be a everyday 2.5" complicated force, of the type latest in laptops. it will be plugged into an interface board which converts it to artwork over USB. no count if it fairly is a presently made force (no extra beneficial than approximately 4 or 5 years previous), it will be a SATA force. no count if it fairly is a SATA force, you are able to genuinely set up it in any laptop that takes SATA drives, which incorporates very almost all computers made interior the final 4 or 5 years. If the force is an older, PATA force, it particularly is going to artwork in any PATA pc. in case you want to in fantastic condition it in a private laptop, you will choose adapters to have the skill to plug it in. it fairly is in all probability not well worth attempting to in fantastic condition a PATA force in a SATA laptop, or vice versa, via fact the controller board you would be able to desire to make it artwork is amazingly high priced. The force would properly be unplugged from the USB interface board and then used as a everyday inner 2.5" complicated force. it particularly is often bodily put in right into a pc immediately, or right into a private laptop through utilizing a much less high priced bracket to mount it in a extra robust 3.5 inch force bay. For SATA drives, the connectors are an identical for the two 2.5" and 3.5" drives. one component you would be able to desire to would desire to demonstrate screen is that the ability connector in a private laptop would desire to not supply all conceivable voltages, and the two.5" force would desire to require a voltage that may not being presented. as a effect, the force won't function and you will choose an adapter to take the mandatory voltages from a different connector to remedy the priority. some compact computers take 2.5" drives as everyday, and those computers won't require any style of adapter to settle for the force out of your exterior force. The overall performance can't be surprising. because it fairly is a USB exterior force, it fairly is in all probability a 5200 RPM force, that's amazingly gradual. A 7200RPM force will artwork quicker. A 2.5 inch force will normally be decrease overall performance than an equivalent 3.5 inch force interior an identical funds.