External hard drive not recognized USB Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,
I just acquired an external hard drive reader with USB 2.0 and it is not recognized on my XP Pro system. It says that the mass storage device is not recognized. I don't know what to do. If someone can help me, thanks.

aldo62 · Accepted Answer

Hello everyone, trying the trick: C:/WINDOWS/inf might possibly solve the problem.

David · Answer

I'm not very familiar with external hard drives, but does your motherboard have the USB 2.0 drivers installed? If so, try an update.

kalior · Answer

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your help!!!  My problem is somewhat similar, that is to say:  "the mass storage device is not recognized."  Technical level: I'm on XP pro I have another external HD (Maxor 200GB) which works perfectly (eliminating all issues related to the enclosure). But my new HD (Maxtor DiamondMax21 250GB) is not working properly.  Problem: One day I can access it without ANY problems. But another day it is not detected and in the device manager, an exclamation point appears next to the USB bus controllers. When the HD is not detected, the light indicating the HD usage is flashing (when normally it’s off).  My questions: 1) Any ideas to solve the problem? 2) Why does it sometimes work (20% of the time) and sometimes it doesn’t? 3) If the problem comes from the USB drivers, why does it work from time to time, and why do I have no issues with my other disk? 4) What does it mean that the light is flashing? 5) If drivers need to be updated, which ones? (motherboard?, USB?, HD?) 6) If drivers are needed for  My tests: Swapped enclosures ==> enclosure and connections ruled out A friend made the same purchase ==> same issues Tested on 3 PCs (2 Windows XP Pro, Home) ==> same issues Checked the power requirements ==> power < than the 200GB HD The first time the HD was recognized, the drivers were installed correctly. ==> So HD drivers ruled out.  Conclusions: 1) Windows poorly supports 250GB HDs (I don’t believe that) 2) Both 250GB HDs have a manufacturing defect (I don’t believe that) 3) USB 2.0 poorly manages HDs over 200GB (I don’t believe that)  Thank you Kalior

captainbaboun · Answer

I recently bought an external hard drive Packard Bell Store and Save 320 GB USB 2.0, and I'm running on an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard.

The first time I plugged in the external hard drive, I got the following message:

""USB device not recognized
One of the USB devices connected to this computer has malfunctioned and Windows does not recognize it."

I have consulted all the threads on the forums and other forums about this issue, and nothing worked.
I went to a friend's house with my external hard drive, and there, no problem, it is recognized.
I checked if my motherboard has USB 2.0 ports, and indeed it does, I updated the BIOS, but it did not work.
I also note that I have Service Pack 2 and I have done another update.

Finally, I tried a silly thing, I went into my BIOS, and I configured my USB ports, I changed it from "usb v1.1+v2.0" to v1.1, in short, I downgraded it to USB 1.1...
And it worked!!!!!

However, I am running on USB 1.1 and transfers are much slower, I would really like to go back to USB 2.0.

Is there a kind soul and knowledgeable enough to help me?

Thank you.

yamkim · Answer

Hi  I have a TVIX hard drive, at first everything worked well, but one day I had the same problem as everyone above, it’s no longer recognized.  However, it works very well at my friends' place.

bogdanof · Answer

Salut, c'est pareil pour moi. J'ai un disque dur externe depuis le mois de novembre, il marchait très bien jusqu'à ce qu'un message apparaisse : "périphérique USB non reconnu". Comme ça, du jour au lendemain. Quelqu'un aurait une solution, les amis ? Merci !

schnafondateur · Answer

I also have a question, I also bought a 3.5 external hard drive, Neo, and Windows indicates that it is working properly but I can't find it in the workstation.  My computer runs on USB 2.0 so the problem shouldn't come from there.   Moreover, I don't know much about this, so my options for action are limited.   Thank you.

robinou59 · Answer

Hello everyone, I'm continuing the topic, hold on ^^
I'm interested because I have an external hard drive
with a driver CD for PCs under different versions up to Windows 98 SE
the problem is that the Windows 98 on my old PC is not SE, it's the older version...
do you think it's possible to find a compatible driver for Windows 98?

Or else, I've thought about changing the operating system
in that case, my question is:

which operating system do you recommend for running a:
ADM K6 350MHz
64 MB of RAM
6.4 GB HDD for the C: drive
a 32 MB graphics card
????

I suppose XP will be limited on all levels, like with RAM ^^
I was thinking about Windows 2000 or ME (but I've heard that ME is more unstable)

anyway
my questions are asked!
thanks in advance
Robin

Pierre · Answer

Not bad this topic, just questions, no answers   It's a recurring problem with disks or USB sticks, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't :)   My Storex has always worked well, and then boom, it gets stuck at "new mass storage device," there you go, I uninstalled the USB on the computer through the device manager, put everything back, same thing   I plugged it into a "virgin" XP where it had never been plugged in, and it did the same, I can't see it anymore, not in disk management (my computer - manage) nothing!   But under Linux: ha ha! I can see all its content! So what's the problem, XP blocking certain USB devices, not surprising! But it does it on all XPs, that's what's scary.

slod · Answer

Hello everyone,   my LACIE USB external hard drive is recognized by my computer one time out of four!!!!   I don't get any notification indicating a problem, sometimes it opens, and sometimes it doesn't even appear in "management" on the computer.   It's frustrating, especially since I think,  - it can't be the USB cable because it works sometimes  - formatting?    if anyone can enlighten me...   Thanks in advance  (this is my first message on the forum!!)

Thierry · Answer

Hi everyone,  I have a bit of the same problem as you, an external hard drive Maxtor personal storage 3200 (400 Go) connected to an Acer laptop. The first time, no problem, it was recognized right away, it ran for three days. My brother-in-law unplugged it roughly and since then, it appears in the system with the PB symbol (code 10 for those who know) and nothing else  Thanks if someone has the answer, thanks

makaye · Answer

Hello little fathers
Like you, I searched the forums for solutions and to my surprise, we are several to have this failure.
For my part, the computer was left on and the next day Windows informed me that the USB device was not recognized even though my external hard drive was running once connected to the PC.
How I solved the problem:
My issue was that my Maxtor had lost its partition so Windows couldn't access it.
I installed Search and Recover 4.
https://www.iolo.com/?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=404
This software allowed me to recover the information on my partition (lost or deleted). Oddly enough, it allowed me to see my hard drive but the information on it remained inaccessible.
After this operation, you are presented with a virtual drive (that you can name as you wish, x, z) where you can access your data. If you reboot your computer, you need to repeat the same operation since your partition has not yet been repaired...
As a precaution, I transferred all the contents of the disk to another portable disk of 300 gigabytes at this stage.

Then I was able to permanently recover my partition using Partition Magic 8.0.
https://www.clubic.com/telecharger-fiche10520-partition-magic.html
After recovering my lost partition with this software, I was able to access my Maxtor normally and it works like before!
What exactly happened, I don't know, but with this procedure I made it!
Good luck,
why not you!

Maitreludovic · Answer

Hello,

Thanks to makaye for this information, but I would like to know if the trick works with the trial version (I really don’t want to pay 40 euros for a chance that it might not work ==> might as well pay for a new HDD). Thanks in advance!

Maitreludovic · Answer

In fact, it's useless, it doesn't recognize the external drive in "devices" and therefore I can't search for a lost partition... Would it work if I mounted it internally?

Maitreludovic · Answer

Well, I'm answering myself: no, it doesn't work internally either: at startup, it shows me:

"Primary master: xxx (my DVD drive)
Secondary master: WDB800 (my normal internal hard drive)
Primary slave: xxx (my CD burner)
Secondary slave: Maxtor xxx (which is the name of my faulty hard drive)

Warning: 80 conductor cable not installed on secondary IDE channel"

Then the startup takes 10 times longer than usual, then... nothing. As usual: nothing in My Computer, nothing in Search and Recover 4, etc.

I am desperate!!!!

Maitreludovic · Answer

Well, here are some more details: I went into the BIOS, and it indeed recognizes the Maxtor hard drive, with plenty of information about it:

Capacity: 81 GB
Cylinders: 39236
Heads: 16
Precomp: 0
Landing Zone: 39235

Transfer mode: UDMA mode 5

SMART functions: Enabled

Then I have 2 menus:
Access mode:
-CHS
-LBA
-Large
-Auto (*)

First IDE slave:
-None
-Auto (*)
-Manual

There you go, I hope you can help me.

Amigo · Answer

Hello, I have a similar problem, no detection of my storage devices even though everything was working before, USB keys and hard drives. I read above that it might be the partitioning that has disappeared, but how can I explain that the disk remains visible and readable once installed as a slave internally if its partitioning has disappeared? I would also like to point out that externally Windows doesn't say anything at all. No USB connection sound, no window! In summary, I'm wondering what to do to make it work again externally for the keys and for my disk. Especially since if I plug in a PSP or a mobile phone, it works, automatic detection as usual. If any of you have a real solution to the problem, please let us know.

spy · Answer

Thank you for this info, I finally managed to install my USB key after months of hassle!

gign76 · Answer

hi
it's the same for me as for Par Amigo, I plug it in and nothing happens, please help us
is it coming from the USB ports on my computer?
what should I do?

thanks to the experienced people who can respond

Pnd IB · Answer

Hello,

It says "problem solved" but I don't see any viable solution...
On my end, my XP doesn't even detect it...
I went through the Windows console to run a CHKDSK on my external hard drive and it doesn't even want to perform it...
"Unable to open the volume for direct access"

Command to type: (you should have the path of your XP administrator session on screen)
Example: C:\Documents and Settings\Username>
So you should add:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username>CHKDSK C:
or
CHKDSK D: or E: or like me F:

That's when I get this magic phrase "Unable to open the volume for direct access"...
Could my hard drive have failed?
Is there another solution to consider?
What to do? This topic is far from being resolved in my opinion...

Pnd IB · Answer

Ps: my external hard drive is a Samsung (no comment -_-") 40 GB (Pfff I said no comment ...)

I've forgotten a small detail that probably matters ...
The LEDs indicate that it's working (red LED) and this LED should turn off once the work is done ... especially on a 40 GB -_-", but here! the LED stays on and the hard drive is not making any sounds ...
I still think it's running ... but you never know, if you could confirm or give me another lead ...
Thanks in advance ...

jeff · Answer

Hello, hi I tried at my dad's and it works but not at my place, what should I do?

Bibi kun · Answer

Hello, Uh, live at your dad's or change your place...

dampon · Answer

Hello everyone
Just a quick note after reading all your issues
Be careful to set the HDD to MASTER when using it externally (in a USB enclosure)
Be careful to set the HDD to SLAVE if it's internal
Will my intervention have been useful?
I hope so
See you later!

nuze · Answer

Hello everyone  I bought a Storex media player online and I installed a WD 2.5'' hard drive that I recovered. When I connect everything to my PC  they are recognized by the device manager, but they do not appear in My Computer. If I try to retrieve the volume information, it says, "The volume information for this disk cannot be found. This may occur if the disk is a 1394 device or a USB device on a Windows 2000 computer."  I think it needs to be formatted, but I don't know how to do that.

Nono · Answer

Hello everyone

I have Windows Vista and I have an external hard drive (its name: CLUB U2S-350 USB 2.0 hard drive) and I need an update for my computer to recognize it
If anyone knows where to find this, please let me know??? It's urgent, thanks

mingo · Answer

problems with the Maxtor external hard drive, the photos won't open on the TV

jeanturpin00 · Answer

Hello everyone
I'm just like everyone else
I bought a media player
with a 500GB SATA hard drive INSTALLED
USB 2.0 CARD NOTHING TO DO NO DETECTION
OF THE HARD DRIVE IN MY COMPUTER
HOWEVER ON THE SAME PORT WITH THE SAME
USB CABLE I PLUG IN MY CAMERA AND IT'S AUTOMATIC
LIKE MAGIC IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME !!!!!!
and good luck to everyone

faitout · Answer

Hello,  for Christmas I got an Iomega 120 GB portable Hard Drive, I installed it on my grandmother's computer and it worked, but my computer doesn't recognize it. I'm probably missing the drivers, how can I search for them online? Thank you.

behemoth · Answer

I bought a Neom MP4 player not long ago. I plugged it in to charge while transferring my music, but the problem is, when I tried to charge it, the battery was dead, and my PC doesn’t even recognize that a network cable is plugged in.  The player no longer appears, and since the cable isn’t recognized, it’s impossible to charge it. It did exactly the same thing with another PC. Is there a solution? It would bother me to throw it away, lol. Thanks in advance.  One last thing, what should I do to make the player recognize videos as well?

peka · Answer

Why does it say topic resolved?

Eikichi · Answer

Hello, Have you tried unplugging all your USB peripherals?

-={EVOLUTION}=- Neo · Answer

right-click on My Computer -> Manage -> Disk Management  Here are your disks.

elbosso · Answer

Hello,  I have a similar problem, the storage device detection appears when I connect the USB stick, but it's not working, even though everything was fine before.  This happened after I lent my USB stick to my friend to copy a file onto his machine, and after he returned it, the detection occurs but the partitions do not show up even though he can see the device.   In short, I'm wondering what I need to do to get my external drive to work again.  Especially since when I plug in a PSP or a cellphone, it works fine, auto-detection as usual.  If any of you have a real solution to this problem, please let us know.  Because I have my whole life on this hard drive.  Elbosso, from Abidjan

O.Ghislain · Answer

Hello everyone, following a restart due to a power outage my external hard drive was not recognized at all, I found out it was the front USB port that was malfunctioning so give it a try. Have a good weekend.

macgiver97 · Answer

Hello, I lost my Neom MP4 1GB USB cable and I can't find one in stores or online. Could you please let me know where I can find one? Thank you all.

zack · Answer

Thank you to Dampon, I changed the riders to masters and it is detected, thank you very much.

Einzig · Answer

Hello everyone,   So I have my best friend who had the same problem, and to my great surprise, I was able to notice one thing! When we connect the hard drive as a slave to the PC instead of via USB, everything works and we even have access to the files inside.   So two questions came to my mind:  1/ Is it a compatibility issue between the hard drive and the USB 2.0 port drivers?  2/ Why would the hard drive work if it is connected directly as a slave when we have no access to the files when it is via USB 2.0?    Personally, I have been trying to solve her problem for a week now and I'm making a bit of progress.  For those who have this problem on a laptop, I don't have a solution to offer yet as I'm working on it, but for those with a desktop, just connect it as a slave while we find a solution.   I will keep you updated if I find a solution.

ASTR4L · Answer

Hello,  I have a TOSHIBA external hard drive that came with the laptop I purchased. It works very well on the TOSHIBA computer (running Vista Home) but when I plug it into a desktop PC (XP Pro), it is detected (since I can see it in the list of devices) but it is not visible in My Computer. The LED on the hard drive flashes red then blue instead of staying constantly blue...  I don't think it's because it's a TOSHIBA (otherwise that would be really sad ^^)   Thank you in advance :)

fanoumrs · Answer

hello,  Same issue with my Seagate FreeAgent Desktop 250GB. As soon as I connect it to the front USB port of the computer, it shows "USB device not recognized."  After fruitless searches for drivers on the manufacturer's website, in Windows and elsewhere....., I plugged it into the back USB port, and it works......  And that will be fine......  So for those non-fans like me who don't want to get lost in the abysses of BIOS, reconfiguring, bus, and so on... choose the easy way!!!  When will we have plug-and-play!!!

mateo · Answer

Hello everyone, here is my problem. I have a 400G Maxtor hard drive that my computer hasn't been detecting for a while, yet it seems to be working normally. I tried it on my desktop computer, but it's not detected there either. If anyone has a solution, thanks in advance!

crazy 31 · Answer

Hello everyone I ended up here by chance, and I'm glad about it. From what I can see, there are tons of issues regarding USB drives; I’ve read through the whole thread, unfortunately, the problems can be multiple. Let me quickly summarize a few simple steps for different failures that can help in various situations. 1. Update the drivers for the controllers (the best thing to do is to go to the maconfig website, it's not infected LooL) 2. Check in the motherboard BIOS if USB is enabled (for some cases 3. For the most extreme cases!!!! Check the power consumption of each USB device, and in cases where it consumes more, turn off the unnecessary devices and/or remove the useless or occasionally used devices to properly distribute the energy for the self-powered ones. 4. For some cases, install Paragon or Partition Magic to check the status of the disks, the type of partition, and format (often unfortunately raw), correct errors, and reformat. I hope this can help some (at least one!!!!) Good luck.

kalisa37 · Answer

Hello my problem is I changed my hard drive for a larger one. I bought a case for a 3.5 IDE hard drive with USB 2.0 interface, but when I plug it in, Windows cannot recognize it. What should I do? thank you for your help

votre serviteur · Answer

Hello everyone, I did a quick check on the topics; indeed I see a lot of issues. Just let us know the type of power supply (self-powered; direct USB; voltage and amperage (see on the HDD)) or with a transformer) Sadly, it often concerns a USB power problem, and not drivers or others (hidden partition; raw; or others) If that's the case, disconnect some unnecessary peripherals (control panel); in BIOS, enable USB and adjust the power, and switch the maximum to one port, and I think your external HDD (USB powered) will appear. I hope this will help some cases. Best regards; good luck to all. P.S.: Please provide more details (even in your own words) for all your failures, so that I can directly target the solution and not assume. Thank you.

Sassous · Answer

Hello, I have a USB drive that says "verbatim" on it. I plug it into my computer and nothing shows up, and I really need it before the beginning of February. Is it because of my USB drive or my computer??  PLEASE HELP ME.

External hard drive not recognized USB

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