meerkat wrote:
> "K-Bob" <K-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:CB2C5A6E-7277-47CB-827A-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> I bought the above subject external hard drive through Ebay and when I
>> connect it using the USB cable, the computer does not seem to
>> recognize it.
>> The hard drive came by itself. no instructions. Is there a drive I
>> need to
>> download to make this work? I have Windows XP and a Dell Dimension
>> E310
>> computer. It is a 40GB USB 2.0 hard drive.
>
>
> If this is a brand new drive, it probably needs formatting.
> And assigning a drive letter.
>
> Right click on My Computer/Manage/Disk Management.
> Format, and give it a drive letter, then it will be seen by your system
>
>
> HTH
> bw..
>
>
And if you cannot see it in Disk Management, the problem may be
that the drive needs more power than a 5V @ 500mA USB port can provide.
They make a "cheater cord", which has a second USB connector, and on
the second connector, only the power pins are connected. That provides
more current, in cases where the USB port cuts off due to overload.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=3617625
Some 2.5" drives, have a power plug hole on the drive, in which case,
you'd need to find a 5V adapter to fit it. That would be an option,
if the USB Y cable scheme didn't work out. Not all 2.5" drives have
that barrel connector though.
And there are modern 2.5" hard drive mechanisms, that function
perfectly well, without any assistance, staying within the
power limitations of a USB2 port. But if there is stock of
older hard drives around, those may require more power, and
a workaround.
The USB Mass Storage driver, that comes in WinXP, should be
enough to make it work. If you've kept your OS up to date,
you should be ready to go.
Paul
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