Problem with Lacie external hard drive - question from a newbie

[Pete Tobin]

I have been using a Lacie Big Disk with a Firewire interface to store
my mp3 files on my VAIO laptop for about a year or so. Last night,
out of the blue, it just stopped working. I switch it on and I hear
it whirring which it does so for a couple of seconds and then there is
a click. This repeats itself about three times and then the thing
goes quiet. The noises it makes are the same whether it is connected
or not. I can see the drive in Device Manager but it isn't mounted by
Windows. I guess that the disk has failed but I wondered if there is
anything I could try. For instance, should I take the thing apart and
try to connect it directly to the computer.

Thanks

Pete

 

[Scruffy Eagle]

I have been using a Lacie Big Disk with a Firewire interface to store
my mp3 files on my VAIO laptop for about a year or so. Last night,
out of the blue, it just stopped working. I switch it on and I hear
it whirring which it does so for a couple of seconds and then there is
a click. This repeats itself about three times and then the thing
goes quiet. The noises it makes are the same whether it is connected
or not. I can see the drive in Device Manager but it isn't mounted by
Windows. I guess that the disk has failed but I wondered if there is
anything I could try. For instance, should I take the thing apart and
try to connect it directly to the computer.

Thanks

Pete

=================================

Hi, Pete!

I think, as a general rule, taking apart equipment you really don't
understand and hard-wiring it to other equipment as an experiment is a bad
idea that doesn't usually have good results.

My suspicion is that you either got a virus, Windows developed a sudden
memory loss of settings (this happens, from time to time, for no apparent
reason), or the drive has failed. You could try running an up-to-date virus
checker, and see if it finds anything. If you don't have one, there are
online services that will do it for free via internet connection, or you
could find a current copy of "Stinger" antivirus program. (Stinger is put
out and frequently updated by McAffee, and is free.) If your system passes a
virus inspection, then try uninstalling then reinstalling the software that
interfaces with the external drive. If that doesn't work, then it's time to
closely inspect that external drive itself. It might just need
reformatting - or, perhaps, has a more serious problem.

Hope this was helpful. Good luck!

Scruffy Eagle
http://scruffyeagle.com
email _me @ scruffyeagle.com
(To use address, remove "_me" and spaces.)

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============================

 

[Eric Gisin]

I think, as a general rule, taking apart equipment you really don't
understand and hard-wiring it to other equipment as an experiment is a bad
idea that doesn't usually have good results.

Of course you can take the drive out of an enclosure, no problem.

My suspicion is that you either got a virus, Windows developed a sudden
memory loss of settings (this happens, from time to time, for no apparent
reason), or the drive has failed. You could try running an up-to-date virus
checker, and see if it finds anything. If you don't have one, there are
online services that will do it for free via internet connection, or you
could find a current copy of "Stinger" antivirus program. (Stinger is put
out and frequently updated by McAffee, and is free.) If your system passes a
virus inspection, then try uninstalling then reinstalling the software that
interfaces with the external drive. If that doesn't work, then it's time to
closely inspect that external drive itself. It might just need
reformatting - or, perhaps, has a more serious problem.

Don't be ridiculous. A virus does not cause drive clicking. You don't have a
clue.

Hope this was helpful. Good luck!

Nope, nothing you post is helpful. Go away.