External IDE Drive problem

[jvalh]

Greetings experts

About a year ago I bought an external IDE drive and it has had very
little use. I had not used it for about 6 months and now it seems not to
work. The HD enclosed was a 320 GB WD3200AAJB, WD Caviar Blue. The white
light came on with the switch but there was no sound from the drive and
it could not be detected on the computer screen.

I replaced the drive with two other older ones in succession and in each
case the light that came on was a very bright red and no sound. Can
anyone suggest what the problem might be?

TIA

 

[VanguardLH]

About a year ago I bought an external IDE drive and it has had very
little use. I had not used it for about 6 months and now it seems not to
work. The HD enclosed was a 320 GB WD3200AAJB, WD Caviar Blue. The white
light came on with the switch but there was no sound from the drive and
it could not be detected on the computer screen.

I replaced the drive with two other older ones in succession and in each
case the light that came on was a very bright red and no sound. Can
anyone suggest what the problem might be?

Considering the hard drives being used, it is unlikely that this
USB-attached drive (we'll have to assume USB since you didn't mention
HOW you are connecting the external device) sucks power from the USB
port. Instead it needs its own AC power adapter. Did you plug the AC
power adapter into the external device case's power jack? Did you plug
it into a wall jack? Did you test there is power at the particular wall
jack (or power strip jack) by plugging an incandescent lamp into it?

If the drives aren't spinning up (you'll hear a whine) then there is a
power problem. Could be with the power adapter, the AC power source, or
the power circuit inside the external case. Is there a fuse holder in
the case?

By the way, did you take the necessary anti-static measures when
handling the hard drives and the external case? Considering that it
probably has just 2 power leads (hot and neutral) and no ground, the
trick of touching and holding onto the chassis to ground yourself while
you work with the other hand won't work here.

 

[larry moe 'n curly]

About a year ago I bought an external IDE drive and it has had very
little use. I had not used it for about 6 months and now it seems not to
work. The HD enclosed was a 320 GB WD3200AAJB, WD Caviar Blue. The white
light came on with the switch but there was no sound from the drive and
it could not be detected on the computer screen.

I replaced the drive with two other older ones in succession and in each
case the light that came on was a very bright red and no sound. Can
anyone suggest what the problem might be?

Did you set the drive jumper correctly? PATA IDE drives are normally
configured for CS (cable select), but with external adapters they
usually have to be set as MA (master) or they won't work, although I
don't think this will keep them from spinning. Also WD drives have
two master settings, one for when the drive is the only one connected
to the ribbon cable, another when there are two drives on the cable.

Lack of +12V power can prevent the motor from spinning. Look at the
circuit board of the external drive enclosure, especially the solder
joints on the power connector, which may have cracked. Solder cracks
can be tiny, so use a bright light and magnifying glass, or just
resolder them (see YouTube for instructions about soldering
electronics). If you find nothing, then something else on the circuit
board may have failed, like a voltage regulator chip or capacitor, but
also try another power adapter because the plug could have broken
where it joins the cable. Be sure the new adapter is compatible --
correct voltage(s) on the correct pins, because some are wired
differently.

 

[jvalh]

Thanks Larry.

Did you set the drive jumper correctly? PATA IDE drives are normally
configured for CS (cable select), but with external adapters they
usually have to be set as MA (master) or they won't work, although I
don't think this will keep them from spinning. Also WD drives have
two master settings, one for when the drive is the only one connected
to the ribbon cable, another when there are two drives on the cable.

Good questions. I know that two HDs in a computer need jumpers but I was
not aware that a single external drive needed one. There are 5 pairs of
pins for 5 possible jumpers. A diagram on the HD shows no jumper and
indicates Master or Slave. Another shows a jumpers for Master and Slave
in the middle. The third one shows a single jumper second from the right
side for a slave situation.

Lack of +12V power can prevent the motor from spinning. Look at the
circuit board of the external drive enclosure, especially the solder
joints on the power connector, which may have cracked. Solder cracks
can be tiny, so use a bright light and magnifying glass, or just
resolder them (see YouTube for instructions about soldering
electronics). If you find nothing, then something else on the circuit
board may have failed, like a voltage regulator chip or capacitor, but
also try another power adapter because the plug could have broken
where it joins the cable. Be sure the new adapter is compatible --
correct voltage(s) on the correct pins, because some are wired
differently.

As I mentioned to VLH, I need to dump one adapter first to get the power
back. The soldered joints seem ok. This external box had had very little
use so far and I would be surprised if it was the problem. Will check
out your suggestions after I fix the adapter problem.
Back soon and thanks for your efforts

 

[jvalh]

Considering the hard drives being used, it is unlikely that this
USB-attached drive (we'll have to assume USB since you didn't mention
HOW you are connecting the external device) sucks power from the USB
port. Instead it needs its own AC power adapter. Did you plug the AC
power adapter into the external device case's power jack? Did you plug
it into a wall jack? Did you test there is power at the particular wall
jack (or power strip jack) by plugging an incandescent lamp into it?

Sorry about missing the power cord information. It has its own AC power
adapter and it provides the little light on the external case. The other
cable is a USB cord from the case to a computer slot. There is no
visible fuse in the drive case and right now it seems to have no power
from the AC adapter. It's probably another adapter I have that fits
between the plug on the cable and the power strip. Will cut off that
plug, add one that fits into the power strip, and check it again.

If the drives aren't spinning up (you'll hear a whine) then there is a
power problem. Could be with the power adapter, the AC power source, or
the power circuit inside the external case. Is there a fuse holder in
the case?

The drives never spun. No fuse holder. Using a new plug might help that
problem. Will advise soon.

By the way, did you take the necessary anti-static measures when
handling the hard drives and the external case? Considering that it
probably has just 2 power leads (hot and neutral) and no ground, the
trick of touching and holding onto the chassis to ground yourself while
you work with the other hand won't work here.

Oh, yes. I learned how to handle memory chips, etc, waaaayy back

Thanks VLH, will be back again soon.

 

[jw]

Thanks Larry.


Good questions. I know that two HDs in a computer need jumpers but I was
not aware that a single external drive needed one. There are 5 pairs of
pins for 5 possible jumpers. A diagram on the HD shows no jumper and
indicates Master or Slave. Another shows a jumpers for Master and Slave
in the middle. The third one shows a single jumper second from the right
side for a slave situation.


As I mentioned to VLH, I need to dump one adapter first to get the power
back. The soldered joints seem ok. This external box had had very little
use so far and I would be surprised if it was the problem. Will check
out your suggestions after I fix the adapter problem.
Back soon and thanks for your efforts

Just a thought, assuming these are standard IDE drives, cant you just
connect the drives directly to a computer IDE cable and power cable,
to see if the drives work? At least this way you know if the problem
is the drives, or the power adaptors. Also, have you used a
multimeter to check the power inside the enclosure?

 

[jvalh]

Just a thought, assuming these are standard IDE drives, cant you just
connect the drives directly to a computer IDE cable and power cable,
to see if the drives work? At least this way you know if the problem
is the drives, or the power adaptors. Also, have you used a
multimeter to check the power inside the enclosure?

Unfortunately the computer I have now has a connection for Sata drives
only. The computer is an Advent and that's the reason I am trying to use
the external IDEs. The Advent was not a good choice.

 

[Paul]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

Unfortunately the computer I have now has a connection for Sata drives
only. The computer is an Advent and that's the reason I am trying to use
the external IDEs. The Advent was not a good choice.

You can get an adapter, which fits between the SATA port on the motherboard,
and an IDE hard drive.

You can also get the inverse of that (adapter for IDE ribbon cable, to suit
SATA hard drive).

The quality of those varies a bit, and some of the adapters have problems
with ATAPI (optical burners).

In my case, I have one for connecting SATA drives, to the IDE ribbon cable.
But I'm missing one for IDE drive to SATA port on motherboard (and I really
could use one).

This is an example of an IDE drive to SATA motherboard port type adapter.
This side of the adapter, accepts a SATA cable, and runs to the motherboard.
You need a Molex to floppy connector power cable, to power the adapter, as
well as run power to the drive itself (a total of two power connections).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=12-270-236-TS

This side plugs into the drive. It's a 40 hole female.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/12-270-236-S03?$S640W$

That adapter is $12. On some of those kits, they're stingy with power
cables, so one of the things I look for in an adapter, is proper cabling.
That one could use a "Y" cable, with both a floppy and a hard drive
connector on the end, so the product would be fully powered without
additional potential purchases.

But since those adapters are a dying breed, you should basically
be happy if you can still find any adapter. Five years ago, we
were swimming in adapters - now, not so much.

Paul

 

[Paul]

Yea, I've learned that I can get adaptors if I was to buy a SATA
drive, but I bet a SATA would nto work on my older year 2000 computer,
and even more likely would not work with Windows 98se. I may be
wrong, but I wouldn't take the chance when IDE drives are available
and suited for my system without the extra trouble and cost of
adaptors. I dont know what's different with SATA drives (internally),
but why go thru the hassle. Are SATA drives the "New Trend"? What
are their advantages?

SATA is the main kind of desktop drive now, so you could say that
makes it a trend. It offers a higher transfer rate (if a hard drive
ever manages to make a dent in that capability).

If IDE drives continue to be available, your approach makes sense.
I'm trying to prepare you for a day, when they aren't available.
And adapter dongles won't be around forever. Yes, I found one for $12, but
if you need one two years from now, will you still be able to buy one ?

Maybe, you can buy your IDE drive, but also pick up at least one IDE to SATA
adapter, so you have something to use later on. If two years from now,
your 80GB IDE drive is failing, perhaps the only drive type will be
SATA, and then you'll need the adapter.

Paul

 

[jw]

You can get an adapter, which fits between the SATA port on the motherboard,
and an IDE hard drive.

You can also get the inverse of that (adapter for IDE ribbon cable, to suit
SATA hard drive).

The quality of those varies a bit, and some of the adapters have problems
with ATAPI (optical burners).

In my case, I have one for connecting SATA drives, to the IDE ribbon cable.
But I'm missing one for IDE drive to SATA port on motherboard (and I really
could use one).

This is an example of an IDE drive to SATA motherboard port type adapter.
This side of the adapter, accepts a SATA cable, and runs to the motherboard.
You need a Molex to floppy connector power cable, to power the adapter, as
well as run power to the drive itself (a total of two power connections).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=12-270-236-TS

This side plugs into the drive. It's a 40 hole female.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/12-270-236-S03?$S640W$

That adapter is $12. On some of those kits, they're stingy with power
cables, so one of the things I look for in an adapter, is proper cabling.
That one could use a "Y" cable, with both a floppy and a hard drive
connector on the end, so the product would be fully powered without
additional potential purchases.

But since those adapters are a dying breed, you should basically
be happy if you can still find any adapter. Five years ago, we
were swimming in adapters - now, not so much.

Paul

Yea, I've learned that I can get adaptors if I was to buy a SATA
drive, but I bet a SATA would nto work on my older year 2000 computer,
and even more likely would not work with Windows 98se. I may be
wrong, but I wouldn't take the chance when IDE drives are available
and suited for my system without the extra trouble and cost of
adaptors. I dont know what's different with SATA drives (internally),
but why go thru the hassle. Are SATA drives the "New Trend"? What
are their advantages?

 

[jvalh]

SATA is the main kind of desktop drive now, so you could say that
makes it a trend. It offers a higher transfer rate (if a hard drive
ever manages to make a dent in that capability).

If IDE drives continue to be available, your approach makes sense.
I'm trying to prepare you for a day, when they aren't available.
And adapter dongles won't be around forever. Yes, I found one for $12, but
if you need one two years from now, will you still be able to buy one ?

Maybe, you can buy your IDE drive, but also pick up at least one IDE to
SATA
adapter, so you have something to use later on. If two years from now,
your 80GB IDE drive is failing, perhaps the only drive type will be
SATA, and then you'll need the adapter.

Paul

Great advice! Thanks Paul