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Internal HD used as USB external drive not recognized

July 12th, 2011, 13:46

Hi, I have a laptop HP 6735b, it comes with a toshiba mk5055gsk hard disk. I took the hard disk out in order to use it as an usb external drive. I bought the external case but the computer is not recognizing it. I am using Windows XP. An image of the case I bought in ebay is attached.
I opened Computer Management-Disk Management and the disk does not appear there. But it appears on Device Manager-Disk drives. How can I put it to work as an USB external drive? Thank you
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Re: Internal HD used as USB external drive not recognized

July 12th, 2011, 14:51

There are several possible causes including a faulty case (how do you know that it is working correctly?); or your chosen USB ports not supplying enough power, to allow the disk drive to spin-up (you are using the Y-cable for USB power, aren't you, and you have connected it to 2 powered, known good, USB ports?) etc. etc. Testing to check these theories depends on availability of other disk drives and/or USB cases for you to use.

You could try listening to the disk drive as you plug in both USB plugs - do you hear it spin-up and then stay spinning, or do you hear clicking or other repetitive sounds? That would be one starting point; others may choose a different starting point. Many different possible approaches...

Re: Internal HD used as USB external drive not recognized

July 13th, 2011, 8:32

How does Microsoft's UVCView utility see the external drive?
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/USB_ID ... ew.x86.exe

If you connect the external enclosure on its own, without the HDD, how does UVCView then detect it?

Re: Internal HD used as USB external drive not recognized

July 13th, 2011, 9:40

I second Vulcan's comment re insufficiant power- use usb y cable as most likely cause. If on plugging it in you hear computer register usb- the usb card is likely good- just not enough power to start drive.
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