I think the answer to question 3 in your list is that the default file system is now NTFS, not FAT32, though the old 1.44MB floppy discs still use FAT32. NTFS is a much faster file system for a number of reasons and I imagine that any Windows based software is slowed down reading FAT32. I can't answer the other questions, but I assume you chose FAT32 for a reason?

Is it possible the HD needed formatting to NTFS?

sorry harry you got there before me.,.

If a ntfs comp, won't read the hd now it's in fat32 may be a solution is to connect it to an old comp with win 98 to 2000 running on it and format disc again. but whether an old comp can re-format to ntfs i don't know.

Harrycat, Balerboy thanks

even thou the the WDHD start with NTFS you can format them into Fat32, ive done this before numours times got 5 WDHD sitting here now formated using Fat32 and they work both on my Windows 7 OS and DVD players using the USB 2.0 slot

must be fault with laser reader/disc unfortunately. Is the disc removable? maybe try in one of the other players.

RG, google "WD hard drive" quite a bit of info on there for problems like yours.,.

Posts: 1
Registered: 11-04-2011
1 ..Re: Hard Drive Not Showing Up In My Computer.Options
Mark as NewBookmarkSubscribeSubscribe to RSS FeedHighlightPrintEmail to a FriendReport Inappropriate Content....11-04-2011 08:50 PM

Hi , i had the same problem , and i lost all my files. The problem is that the WD Hard drive does not have a Drive Letter E.g A: B: C: (Drives, like when you see your system files in ) You set you WD hard Drive a Drive Letter you Conect you WD hard drive , then search Disk management in the start bar.You then should see a window open with Disk 0-6 (or more/Less), You should see your WD Hard drive neer the bottom (If you cant find it Dissconnect your hard drive and reconnect it to see which one it is )(make sure the window is big) Right click on the WD hard drive and click "Change Drive Letter adn paths" .A smal box should come up with "Add:" Change: and "Remove" , click the Add . Then another box will come up , there will be 2 options 1: Assign the following drive Letters (Choose this one), and then if you want choose a letter that you wish. Click ok , and now it should come up in "My computer".

the1thepwnly wrote:

Hi all. I have a WD 1tb portable elements and all of a sudden it stopped working. I plugged it into my computer and nothing shows up. It makes the connected sound and the light on the hdd is steady and doesnt flicker. I ran the lifeguard disgnostics on it and the quick scan came up clean. the extended scan couldn't run because of "Too many bad sectors". How can I recover my data. It is very important to me and I would very much like to have it back.


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data recovery software won't help you unless the drive is still spinning. if you have a smartware drive, then you won't be able to take the drive out of the case, because the internal drive is hardware encrypted. if the drive is spinning, there is a chance that the bridge board in the case died, rather than the drive. if so, you could spend the money to get another drive like the one you have and swap out the internal drives. however, do understand that in both cases you will void the warranties on both drives.

try powering disc up with a dedicated mains lead, if at the mo you use the usb cable for power.

Balerboy, thanks

The WD HD is USB powered only and I cant open the disk to see whats open either, but I'll try reading the WD forums and searching google again

I think post 9858 is the one I'd try first. GL BB

Balerboy, thanks again ;-)

read loads about my problem, but can't do anything about it if my pc and windows 7 won't even find the WD HD passport to let me see it and back it up or reformat it again think its time to hit my head on the wall again ;-)

Even if you go 'Control Panel' - 'System' - 'Device Manager' ?

Harrycat, yes even if i try that ;-) my computer shows up my main c: drive and nothing else, if I plug in other WD HD that are formatted Fat32 and other memory sticks into the USB 2.0 slots they are found and work Ok

So, if you plug the USB drive into another computer with Windows 7, do you have the same problem? That would establish whether the PC or the USB drive were at fault. Or, try it on a Windows XP system, which seems to be more tolerant to old or new hardware. I thought that all devices now have an identifying chip in them now to enable plug'n'play and also to be able to download new drivers, so it's presumably possible that your USB HD is corrupt or failed.

Harrycat,

It was working on my pc windows 7 after I formated it to Fat32 as I was able to transfer files to and from it, showed up in My Computer window as drive e:, I then gave it to my dad for his PC windows 7, he said it worked as well for a few times as he was able to transfer files to it as well, then after he did that, it died and couldn't befound on his PC win7, he then pluged it into the DVD's USB 2.0 connection slot and it just didn't find it or show any files even after 2 hours letting it try, the little light flashes once or twice they it just stays on

My guess is then a component failure within the USB HD. I still think it's worth trying on a XP system, which, in my experience is the most tolerant of all the Window's releases, but it should immediately show up when you insert it into the USB port as 'New Hardware Found - installing drivers'.

Harrycat

Yeah I thought that as well, about new harddrive but device manager says its already got the lastest driver installed

Update

The WD HD seems to work with my new WD Live hub 1TB just thought I try plugging it in to the USB port and it showed up and I could use it OK, thought by magic it would work on my pc afterwards, nothing went back to no WD HD showing up,

Any idea why it worked on the WD Live, but not on PC