Seagate External Hard Drive Won't Work

#1 lambcf

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Posted 07 June 2007 - 03:25 PM

Hello,

I have a 160GB Seagate external Drive, which worked for sometime problem free, and I have accumulated a lot of data on it which is important to me.

When I switch it on now however it just beeps and whirrs, and is not accessible or even recognised as a USB device attached.

I am running Windows XP service pack 2.

If someone has an Idea what this problem could be, and a possible solution I would be very grateful.

Many thanks!
lambcf

#2 Ryan 3000

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Posted 07 June 2007 - 04:35 PM

Have you tried either/or:
1.Starting up with it plugged in
2.Plug it in after start up
3.Looking for online drivers
4.Trying all USB outlets

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#3 garmanma

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Posted 07 June 2007 - 04:48 PM

Ryan 3000, on Jun 7 2007, 05:35 PM, said:

Have you tried either/or:
1.Starting up with it plugged in
2.Plug it in after start up
3.Looking for online drivers
4.Trying all USB outlets

5. Trying a different USB cable
Mark

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#4 lambcf

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Posted 09 June 2007 - 07:27 AM

Thank you for the suggestions. Unfortunately the thing just continues to whirr and beep at me.

Is it possible to remove the drive from it's enclosure and connect it to the PC like a second hard drive?

Thanks
lambcf

#5 usasma

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Posted 09 June 2007 - 09:03 AM

Yes it is, depending on the drive's interface and your system's ability to utilize that interface.

Be very careful tho' - if this is a case of the drive failing, then each access of the drive decreases the likelyhood that you'll be able to successfully recover your data.

I'd try running the tools from Seagate (free) to see if there's anything that can be done.

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#6 juicyplasma

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Posted 10 June 2007 - 11:38 PM

superpc, on Jun 11 2007, 10:34 AM, said:

Unfortunately, these things are notorious for dying.
Sounds like a broken drive. You can remove the drive
from the case, and install it in your computer, to see
if it is truly broken.

Quoted for truth.

It sounds like a problem I had with an external HDD (200GB) myself. One day it just decided to die. I hooked it up to the mobo but it wouldn't show up there either... had ALOT of important files on there too. Just goes to show that if you need to backup anything - burn it instead.

But don't give up hope yet; that may not be the problem you're having. Hook it up to your mobo (obviously not forgetting to switch the jumpers to slave) and see what happens. With any luck it could be your external HDD enclosure that's on the fritz instead.

Good luck!