I've been having problems on and off with my HD for about 6 months. My computer is a Gateway desktop from 1999, upgraded from Win98 to WinXPHome a year ago; a FAT32 drive.My SEAGATE drive is a 160GB, about 2 years old; also a FAT32. When I bought it I just made folders and dragged data onto the drive, it worked fine. Last year I switched from my Gateway to an HP desktop I borrowed, an XP Pro with a NTFS drive. My external worked fine w/it but after a while when I tried to open the drive (via My Computer) and it said that it wasn't formatted, and if I would like to format it. I called the company of the drive and they helped nothing. I continued to turn on my drive like normal and eventually the drive popped out of it, all files unharmed. This has happened over and over. I've since had to revert back to my Gateway and haven't had problems for a while, but it's now doing it again. I really need to know how to stop this or how to fix it.
2007-11-06 20:28:48 · 4 answers · asked by cornucopia 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Even recommending me a good help forum for this will be worth giving a Best Answer to. Thanks and please help me.
2007-11-06 20:43:19 · update #1
Usually external Hard Drive could not be repaired, better to back-up your files immediately before it say goodbye forever.
2007-11-06 20:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I suggest you back it up to another storage device, that way if it is failing you will not loose your data.
Two things could be happening:
A) The cable from the drive to the port is bad or has a weak connector - try replacing it.
B) The external drive power supply is starting to fail, my guess would be the 12 volt side of the supply if the computer sees the drive but reports it not formatted because the seaker heads are not moving (12+ and 12- volts move the heads back and forth)
You said it is over 2 years old, proabably out of waranty?
More information, tips, and how to's on my web site:
2007-11-07 04:42:42 · answer #2 · answered by rider200 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try a different USB port. If still flaky replace the enclosure. Sound like something in the electronics is bad. They are rather cheap and easy to replace. The ports you have may be rev.1 while the enclosure is rev.2 and cannot handle the speed difference. Chance you have rev 2 on computer and enclosure is rev 1. Need to find out for sure what system has and if rev. 2 make sure enclosure is also.
2007-11-07 04:39:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do a virus cheak with lattest updated
2007-11-07 06:15:27 · answer #4 · answered by jayenta 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋