Seany wrote:
Hi,
I have an 80G portable hard drive which I can't seem to access
anymore. When I plug it into my laptop, the laptop recognises a
portable USB device has been plugged in but the device does not appear
under my computer. I've tried everthing I can think of....rebooting,
using the troubleshooter in the 'safely remove hardware' panel. I
really don't want to re-format the drive as I have a lot of work stuff
and more importantly music stored on it! The laptop usb ports work as
other devices work fine.
HELP please!!


I have this problem once. The problem could be that your laptop cannot
provide enough power to the USB HD so it was unable to read the data.
even though the OS recognized that a USB device is plugged in. I
suggest that you get a 5V power supply that fits your USB HD (I have
two types, one USB drive have a small coaxial plug for power input, the
second type have a USB cable with 3 connectors and the third connector
was connected to a POWERED USB hub.). I think USB ports are spec'ed to
supply 500mA max, and your HD may draw more, thus the problem you are
seeing.

The sequence: power up the USB HD, then hook up tp your laptop.