Maxtor HDD via USB

[baffledagane]

hi - my pc died a few months ago but the HDD survived; I wanted to get some data and my contacts off it so I bought a nice Navigator box fitted it up connected it to the new pc, switched on and ..... nothing
All the lights are on so it is working; with help from friends and family I have tried all the tricks suggested with no success. The new PC (not Vista the last one) just doesnt accept it exists. Sometimes it says there was a problem installing new hardware. I've been all round Device Manager, Disk Management etc. It doesnt feature usually in the USB list. It did once with a yellow asterisk but when I followed that up it told me for what its worth that the device driver is up to date.
I downloaded a Maxtor software programme (driver?) but this also says it wont work without a Maxtor device attached so it also doesnt 'see' it.

I had a similar problem with my last pc. I bought a Nokia phone which supposedly could download from the web. Ha Ha . Connected it with the lead to USB and ..yes .. nowt again.

Grateful for any ideas at all

 

[almcneil]

You might have spyware on your computer that is blocking it from detecting new USB devices. I've seen this many times.

I recommend the following 3 anti-spyware utilities (you can find them in the Download section of this web site):

• AVG 8.0
• Ad-Aware 2008
• Spybot Search & Destroy

Repost with results.

Best,
-- Andy

 

[baffledagane]

Maxtor ext HDD problem

Well that's an interesting point which no one else has made. I did have a big prob with some malware but got it professionally cleaned off and have had no prob of that kind since. I do have Spybot and Avast loaded on the pc. Avast seems to run constantly and update itself. I'm just running a Sypbot check. Do you think there could be a residual problem arising from the past?
Thanks for your response!
Chris Allen

 

[almcneil]

Chris,

No, this is not a residual problem as that "professional" service likely re-installed your Windows. That's what most computer stores do, especially the franchises. It's because it's guaranteed to work. When you re-install Windows, you erase the old registry and start with a new one. Any spyware that was on your computer is no longer there.

I avoid the re-installation of Windows as it's a burden to the customer. it forced them to re-install all their programs puls setup their comptuer from scratch. I try to save that installation if possible and save the customer the big hassle a Windows re-installation causes.

You should be aware you need to use 3 anti-spyware utilities to stay on top of spyware. The 3 I listed above are the ones I use and recommend.

Repost once you've finished running all of them and proceed from there if necessary.

Best,
-- Andy

 

[baffledagane]

Hi my pc seems 'clean' tho' I confess i've only run two of the three utilities you mention. However still no reaction to switching on the external HDD

Thanks for your interest!

Chris

 

[almcneil]

At this point, I'd do a Windows repair. I've seen work in these situations many times. There is probably a guide somewhere at this site with the steps for performing this for the particular Windows version you have.

Repost if you need additional help.

Best,
-- Andy