Hi all,
I have an External Hard Drive hooked up via USB. I'm running Windows XP. I recently reformatted my computer and started as "freshly" as possible.
When I turn the HD on, Windows will make a sound to indicate that it acknowledges the drive... the same thing happens when I turn the drive off. When I initially turned on the drive, Windows installed it with no problems and I could use it fine... it was assigned to "F" in "My Computer". I then began installing all the programs I had prior to reformatting, installing Windows updates, etc. I did so much "up to date" work that I honestly don't recall when my problem occurred. However, I do notice the problem now and I'm surprised I have any hair left.
Windows no longer shows the drive in "My Computer". Though, when I turn the drive on/off, Windows still does the "I noticed it" thing. I've read so much on the topic and have tried so much that I don't know what to do anymore.
I tried restoring to a previous save point and no luck. I tried repairing Windows via the XP CD and no luck. The drive didn't come with any drivers, but I don't think that matters, because, as I said above, it already had installed fine and I used to be able to access it. I tried each USB port and no luck. I tried safe mode, no luck. I used disk management to see if the drive was listed and it ISN'T. I used a utility called "Belarc" that DID report the drive. I looked in the device manager and there are no "problem spots" anywhere. When the drive is turned on, the device manager DOES show the drive and says all is well. I went to "properties" and clicked on "populate" (though I honestly don't know what it does). Populate claims that all is well, the drive is online, etc. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the drivers to the HD and to the controllers, no help. This isn't a problem with too little/too much power to the ports or such.
As I said, I've done a ton already to try to resolve this issue, so I probably am leaving out a ton of other things I tried, simply 'cause I can't remember them all.
Not to sound pessimistic, but I've tried so many things that I have a hard time believing that anyone here will be able to help - though, obviously I'm trying anyway or I wouldn't be posting this.
I need a miracle here, as I simply cannot imagine what else to try. It feels as if Bill Gates himself would be clueless!
*ramble mode off*
Sorry for the venting, but I'm so very lost. Please help :-/
Thanks in advance,
Justin
EDIT - I looked again at the disk management and it DOES show the drive. However, it says it's unallocated and has a black bar across the display. It wants me to format it, but obviously I don't want to do that, as it would delete all on my external HD. And, of course, I can't access the drive if it isn't formatted.
I have an External Hard Drive hooked up via USB. I'm running Windows XP. I recently reformatted my computer and started as "freshly" as possible.
When I turn the HD on, Windows will make a sound to indicate that it acknowledges the drive... the same thing happens when I turn the drive off. When I initially turned on the drive, Windows installed it with no problems and I could use it fine... it was assigned to "F" in "My Computer". I then began installing all the programs I had prior to reformatting, installing Windows updates, etc. I did so much "up to date" work that I honestly don't recall when my problem occurred. However, I do notice the problem now and I'm surprised I have any hair left.
Windows no longer shows the drive in "My Computer". Though, when I turn the drive on/off, Windows still does the "I noticed it" thing. I've read so much on the topic and have tried so much that I don't know what to do anymore.
I tried restoring to a previous save point and no luck. I tried repairing Windows via the XP CD and no luck. The drive didn't come with any drivers, but I don't think that matters, because, as I said above, it already had installed fine and I used to be able to access it. I tried each USB port and no luck. I tried safe mode, no luck. I used disk management to see if the drive was listed and it ISN'T. I used a utility called "Belarc" that DID report the drive. I looked in the device manager and there are no "problem spots" anywhere. When the drive is turned on, the device manager DOES show the drive and says all is well. I went to "properties" and clicked on "populate" (though I honestly don't know what it does). Populate claims that all is well, the drive is online, etc. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the drivers to the HD and to the controllers, no help. This isn't a problem with too little/too much power to the ports or such.
As I said, I've done a ton already to try to resolve this issue, so I probably am leaving out a ton of other things I tried, simply 'cause I can't remember them all.
Not to sound pessimistic, but I've tried so many things that I have a hard time believing that anyone here will be able to help - though, obviously I'm trying anyway or I wouldn't be posting this.
I need a miracle here, as I simply cannot imagine what else to try. It feels as if Bill Gates himself would be clueless!
*ramble mode off*
Sorry for the venting, but I'm so very lost. Please help :-/
Thanks in advance,
Justin
EDIT - I looked again at the disk management and it DOES show the drive. However, it says it's unallocated and has a black bar across the display. It wants me to format it, but obviously I don't want to do that, as it would delete all on my external HD. And, of course, I can't access the drive if it isn't formatted.
,
