Windows XP Pro - not recognizing my new External Hard Drive

[jp123]

Hi, can anyone please help as to why my computer is not showing that it
recognizes my new Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini External Hard Drive? I plugged it in
just how it says to and then.....nothing happens!!!! Not sure if this is a
problem on my system, the hard drive or both. Also, the cd that comes with it
does not launch as well. Please let me know of anything that you might be
able to help me with. I'd really appreciate it!!
Thanks,
Janna

 

[Andrew E.]

As far as the cd goes,go to my computer,R.click the cdrom with cd in it,
select:auto play or open,in open,locate the .exe file & double click.
Also,maxtor hds are really junk,you'll get 1 year out of them at best,& even
though seagate is now with maxtor,thier drives are far better + most carry
a 5 year warranty,try returning the maxtor....

 

[jp123]

Thanks for the reply but I'd just really like to know why my computer is not
recognizing the hard drive...it may just be the computer itself, idk. As far
as the Maxtor...I'm gonna give it another try, cuz it does work on my laptop.
Thanks for the tip on how to use the cd!! I'm sure it will help immensely.
Also, have you had experience with Maxtor yourself?? I mean, I realize it
may have been a poor choice, but I was looking for the most relatively cheap
one I could find and the guy at Staples really recommended it...he seemed
pretty honest and I really don't think he was "trying to make a sale".

 

[jp123]

Thanks for the reply but I'd just really like to know why my computer is not
recognizing the hard drive...it may just be the computer itself, idk. As far
as the Maxtor...I'm gonna give it another try, cuz it does work on my laptop.
Thanks for the tip on how to use the cd!! I'm sure it will help immensely.
Also, have you had experience with Maxtor yourself?? I mean, I realize it
may have been a poor choice, but I was looking for the most relatively cheap
one I could find and the guy at Staples really recommended it...he seemed
pretty honest and I really don't think he was "trying to make a sale".

 

[Jyeshta]

Thanks for the reply but I'd just really like to know why my computer is not
recognizing the hard drive...it may just be the computer itself, idk. As far
as the Maxtor...I'm gonna give it another try, cuz it does work on my laptop.

If it works on the laptop and not the other computer, try using a
different USB port on the other computer. If it still won't
work, try using a different USB cable (might not be possible
since some Seagate externals, which now might also apply to
Maxtor externals, use a non-standard plug into the external).

Also try rebooting the computer with the drive plugged in.

I have not had success with Seagate/Maxtor external drives.
Recently bought one and it died after only the second back up.
The Western Digital external drive I bought in February '06 is
still functional and it uses standard USB cables.

Don't rely on only one external drive to back up anything that's
important to you. Best scenario, if possible, is to back up on
several externals, at least one of which is stored elsewhere than
in your home or office, or where you use your computer, and also
back up onto good quality DVD-R media, if that is feasible (can
be very time consuming if you have hundreds of GBs of data to
back up).

 

[Jyeshta]

If it works on the laptop and not the other computer, try using a
different USB port on the other computer. If it still won't
work, try using a different USB cable (might not be possible
since some Seagate externals, which now might also apply to
Maxtor externals, use a non-standard plug into the external).

Also try rebooting the computer with the drive plugged in.

Also, right-click My Computer, click Manage, then Device Manager.
Click on the + sign to the left of Disk Drives. Is there a
yellow question mark? Also try clicking the + sign to the left
of Storage Volumes. Again, is there a yellow question mark?