External usb hard drive

jupiter · Mar 16, 2008, 18:42:49

I have an external hard disk in a separately powered case, connected by usb.
Operating system is XP SP2.

If the drive's usb connection is in place when the pc is powered up, the drive does not appear in 'My computer' and is unusable. There is no message of any kind from Windows.

On the other hand, if the drive's usb connection is made after Windows has loaded, or if I unplug, then reconnect the drive's usb connection, then all is normal and the drive behaves as any other.

How can I improve this process so that the drive is immediately recognised and I avoid the unplugging / plugging in?

I have tried having Windows search for any updated driver, but it claims that I have the best match. I have also checked device manager, where everything appears normal.

Sebby · Mar 16, 2008, 18:47:56

I suspect it could be that the motherboard is trying to boot from the USB drive and fails, and subsequently it gets disabled. Can you check your boot sequence in the BIOS and make sure that it is not trying to boot from USB?

Rik · Mar 16, 2008, 18:49:29

Hi Jupiter, long time no see.

Is the drive connected directly to the PC, or via a hub. If the former, does the behaviour change if you try a different socket?

jupiter · Mar 16, 2008, 18:55:14

Thanks Sebby and Rik - been away for a while.

I'll follow up those suggestions and let you know what happens.

Simon · Mar 16, 2008, 20:13:17

My external drive has an on/off switch at the back. It's placed within easy access, and as it's only used for storage, I just switch it on when I need it. Can't say I've tried turning it on before firing up the PC, but will do so out of curiosity.

Ray · Mar 16, 2008, 20:20:04

I've got 3 USB drives they are always powered up and connected to the PC on boot up, and all show up in "My Computer" with no problem.

Rik · Mar 16, 2008, 20:27:59

Same here, Ray, and they all show up just fine.

Ray · Mar 16, 2008, 20:41:46

Quote from: Rik on Mar 16, 2008, 20:27:59
Same here, Ray, and they all show up just fine.

The only one I did have a slight problem with was WD one I bought recently it came formatted FAT 32 and I did a quick format to convert it to NTFS and I had problems with folders disappearing and Windows not finding it. However since I did a full reformat on it I've had no problems with it.

Rik · Mar 16, 2008, 20:52:55

The first thing I always do is a full format to NTFS, Ray, so maybe that's why I haven't met that one?

talos2 · Mar 16, 2008, 21:09:50

Quote from: Simon on Mar 16, 2008, 20:13:17
My external drive has an on/off switch at the back. It's placed within easy access, and as it's only used for storage, I just switch it on when I need it. Can't say I've tried turning it on before firing up the PC, but will do so out of curiosity.

My setup is smilar to yours, it wont show up unless I switch on at the back, I assume therefore it's not powered by the USB skt.