WinXP Stopped Recognizing External Drive

[Guest]

I purchased and installed Western Digital's 160GB "MyBook- Essential Edition"
in order to backup my Win XP system using Norton Save and Restore (NSR). At
"9%" completion of the backup process, NSR stopped the backup and presented
an error message which basically said "something is wrong with the drive".
Upon examination, I discovered that "My Computer" no longer listed
(recognized) MyBook (When plugged in initially,it was designated as the F:\
drive) as there now was only the A:\, C:\, D:\ (CD-RW) and E:\ (Iomega Zip)
Drives displayed. In examining the Device Manager, the "WD1600JB External USB
Device" is still listed as a 'Disk Drive'. I activated the Windows Driver
Update Wizard with results informing me I already had the most recent drivers
installed for the device installed. I've been in contact with Tech Support
Group of Symantec and SmartComputing to help with this (see attached) to no
avail. So now I'm stuck with an external drive that I can't use because it's
not recognized (in My Computer) and can't be accessed by NSR for backup.
Please help before my system crashes with no backup.

I did try it on my Kids' comuter and it is recognized there in "My Computer
" and thru "Explorer" which tells me the external drive itself is working.
The problem seems to be in my WinXP.

I contacted Western Digital Support but they tell me 'Newbie' stuff like
check the cables, switch USB ports and plug into its own outlet.

Thx...Earl Anderson

 

[Rock]

I purchased and installed Western Digital's 160GB "MyBook- Essential
Edition"
in order to backup my Win XP system using Norton Save and Restore (NSR).
At
"9%" completion of the backup process, NSR stopped the backup and
presented
an error message which basically said "something is wrong with the drive".
Upon examination, I discovered that "My Computer" no longer listed
(recognized) MyBook (When plugged in initially,it was designated as the
F:\
drive) as there now was only the A:\, C:\, D:\ (CD-RW) and E:\ (Iomega
Zip)
Drives displayed. In examining the Device Manager, the "WD1600JB External
USB
Device" is still listed as a 'Disk Drive'. I activated the Windows Driver
Update Wizard with results informing me I already had the most recent
drivers
installed for the device installed. I've been in contact with Tech Support
Group of Symantec and SmartComputing to help with this (see attached) to
no
avail. So now I'm stuck with an external drive that I can't use because
it's
not recognized (in My Computer) and can't be accessed by NSR for backup.
Please help before my system crashes with no backup.

I did try it on my Kids' comuter and it is recognized there in "My
Computer
" and thru "Explorer" which tells me the external drive itself is working.
The problem seems to be in my WinXP.

I contacted Western Digital Support but they tell me 'Newbie' stuff like
check the cables, switch USB ports and plug into its own outlet.

Troubleshooting for USB Drives
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html

General USB troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310575

 

[C.Joseph Drayton]

I purchased and installed Western Digital's 160GB "MyBook- Essential Edition"
in order to backup my Win XP system using Norton Save and Restore (NSR). At
"9%" completion of the backup process, NSR stopped the backup and presented
an error message which basically said "something is wrong with the drive".
Upon examination, I discovered that "My Computer" no longer listed
(recognized) MyBook (When plugged in initially,it was designated as the F:\
drive) as there now was only the A:\, C:\, D:\ (CD-RW) and E:\ (Iomega Zip)
Drives displayed. In examining the Device Manager, the "WD1600JB External USB
Device" is still listed as a 'Disk Drive'. I activated the Windows Driver
Update Wizard with results informing me I already had the most recent drivers
installed for the device installed. I've been in contact with Tech Support
Group of Symantec and SmartComputing to help with this (see attached) to no
avail. So now I'm stuck with an external drive that I can't use because it's
not recognized (in My Computer) and can't be accessed by NSR for backup.
Please help before my system crashes with no backup.

I did try it on my Kids' comuter and it is recognized there in "My Computer
" and thru "Explorer" which tells me the external drive itself is working.
The problem seems to be in my WinXP.

I contacted Western Digital Support but they tell me 'Newbie' stuff like
check the cables, switch USB ports and plug into its own outlet.

Thx...Earl Anderson

Hi Earl,

This will sometimes happen when a delayed write fails. Make sure
that the drive is set for maximum performance which will turn of
caching. It will use more resources while writing, but you will not
have any delayed write problems.

Ciao . . . C.Joseph

 

[Sunshine]

How do you set the drive for maximum performance?

 

[C.Joseph Drayton]

Hi Sunshine,

Load Windows Explorer then right-click on the drive. When the window
comes up, chose [Hardware] then chose [Policies]. On that window
uncheck 'write caching'.

Ciao . . . C.Joseph