External hard drives (portable HDDs) are becoming more popular every day. It is understandable, a huge amount of memory and relatively small sizes are the main advantages of such devices. And in connecting to a computer, they are no different from a regular flash drive.
But everything is not always so good and wonderful. Often, users of removable USB drives face one very important problem: Not determined hDD! That is, the user connects the device to the computer, but nothing happens, the computer simply does not see it. And there may be several reasons for this, consider the most common.
Remember to back up your important data at this time. It is time for in-depth analysis, which can more accurately determine the status of your hard drive. Scanning a disk takes some time, depending on the state in which the disk is located and its capacity. When the scan is completed, the most important information is saved in the log, which you can see by clicking the “View Output” button. At first, the table may seem complicated and obscure, but we will explain what the meanings mean.
Cleaning: Loosen more space and move tracks
On each line, check the current value and compare it with the limit value, which should always be higher and not exceeded. Therefore, we recommend that you save all the logs periodically using the “Save As” command, which will allow you to compare freshly brewed data with old records. In the article below on this page, you will find links to proprietary diagnostic tools from each manufacturer. hard drives. First, pay attention to the use of the hard disk and partitions and look at the unnecessary locked sectors of the disk.
First, what is the problem?
In the hard drive or in the computer itself. Well, of course, first try connecting the drive through another USB port. It helps. 😉
If possible, try connecting your portable HDD to another computer. If the drive is detected, then it is obvious that the problem is in your computer.
You can sort the disk usage report in different categories, for example, by file type. But you can find better information in the "Top 10", where you can clearly see what takes up most of the memory on the disk. This program displays files as a histogram. Just click on the appropriate column to go to the directory in your file browser. From there, you can delete the file directly or transfer it to another drive. If you want to find duplicate files on your hard drive, click "Duplicate Files" in the main menu and expand the search in all directories in the window on the left.
Let's start with the simplest:
1)
Check driver removable disk. To do this, go to device Manager. If you have installed operating system Windows 8, then it can be easily found through a search. Or
Start →
Control Panel →
Equipment and sound →
device Manager.
In the manager, select the item Disk devices and find your disk. Right click and select "Update driver". You can try uninstalling the driver, restarting the computer, and reinstalling it.
In the list of duplicate files, select which one to save and delete the program. Using the context menu, you can immediately delete all selected files. If you want to save system settings, such as window sizes or order items in context menus, do not check “Advanced”. And vice versa, if you want to delete the history and the "inserted" multimedia files, check all the windows on the "Applications" sheet. You can automate the entire process so that you do not have to re-check and remove all the necessary fields the next time you clean the disk.
2)
The next reason is the letter is incorrectly assigned external drive. When I encountered such a problem, the drive letter was not assigned at all, I had to specify it manually. It is solved quite simply. We go along the following path:
Start →Control Panel →
system and safety →
Administration →
Computer management.
Choose Drive management and find your drive. Right click on it and click “Change drive letter or drive path ...” Choose any free letter.
By turning on Safe Deletion, you’ll ensure that all unnecessary data is erased. The final step in cleaning up data on your hard drive is to modify the registry and delete old entries. This step will not speed up the system, but will prevent a potential conflict with the installation and driver.
Location: Defragment your hard drive and speed up your computer
Before deleting individual registry entries, back up the registry to restore it in case of problems. Run the command “Search for errors” until the last scan of extra records in the database. If you want to speed up the system boot, look at the list of applications launched automatically in the Tools menu. As soon as you get rid of extra files and system records, it's time to organize the data stored on your hard drive. This step is important because after deleting the extra files on the hard drive, several fragmented files remain.
3) In the case when the computer refuses to identify and flash drives and hard drives, you need to check USB support in BIOSmaybe she was disconnected. Fortunately, this happens infrequently. And not every user will risk setting up something in BIOS himself. But this will be a separate article.
Defragmenting will lead to faster access times for individual files, since the read head of the hard disk should not jump over the disk and provide the corresponding data from the scattered sectors. The advantage of this application is that it is small, does not require installation, and can be installed in auto mode. Before starting, check the disks on which you want to defragment. In the "Task Scheduler" menu, you can enable automatic defragmentation, for example, once a month.
Backup: creating system images and backups
You get rid of excess data, and the disk is neat and defragmented again. We recommend using an external hard drive as the target medium for reserve copy selected sections. Click Create emergency disk”And select“ Typical ”in the wizard. After starting the wizard, you can simply select the system partition supported by the external hard drive, and the system will be restored. The advantage of this program is that it automatically backs up your files in the background.
4) Another option is a problem with power supply a computer. Either too much equipment is connected to the computer, or if the computer is not new, the power supply is simply out of date - in both cases it cannot cope with the disk.
Well, what if the drive is not detected on another computer?
Perhaps the problem is again in nutrition. If you connected the drive through an extension cord, then try to do this directly using the USB cable that was included with the purchase.
Schedule a backup using the Configure New Backup Plan button, where you enter a name external drive, which will be the backup in the table. As part of your planning, you can choose which directories you want to back up, as well as what types of files to back up, and set a backup schedule. We recommend that you delete old backups from time to time. Adequate data protection will provide you with the first and most recent backup.
Extensions: use site space as a disk
Smaller data backups can be stored on free web drives. The disadvantage is the somewhat more complicated use and the fact that the user must register with his web service account each time. After installing the program, you choose the option of a free license at the first start.
If the disk has a second connector or its own power supply - connect them.
But it happens that the problem is mechanical damage portable HDD. This option can be assumed if, when power is supplied to the disk, it does not emit characteristic sounds. The device just does not work. Of course, in this case, you must contact the service center and in no case try to disassemble and repair by yourself. It can end badly. 😉
Choose one of the predefined services, depending on where you have account. This value also includes standby. In case of poor cost, the drive is often damaged. Do not exceed the maximum operating temperature specified by the manufacturer.
The cause of errors is mainly a faulty cable, dirt, or an error in the controller. On the selected part of the disk, right-click and select "Create Partition". Resize the partition and confirm it with the Run command. Always work with partitions carefully, as an incorrect procedure will result in the loss of all data in the partition. Before moving or changing partitions, back up the entire partition. After starting the program, start the system analysis using the “Update” option.
I hope this article helps you solve the problem of an undetectable disk. Good luck 🙂
External HDDs are a popular option for storing information. The volumes of internal disks in modern PCs are huge and users, without hesitation, save all the pictures, movies, music to them. But time passes and the volume of the built-in HDD becomes insufficient. What if there is no desire to delete data? The answer is simple - get a portable hard drive and throw everything you need on it. Fortunately, the price has fallen and everyone can take out a 1 terabyte external hard drive.
Once it is completed, you will again find yourself in the "Update" window, from which you will need the "Return" command to return to the main menu. After completing the scan and rescue work, turn off or restart the computer using “Restart” or “Shutdown”. This is the beginning of September, the main rest time is already behind. Many of us, in addition to good moods and various souvenirs, also take memories of digital photos and videos from their holidays. Often there is large amounts of data.
Modern technological developments and the continuous improvement of the camera in mobile devices show that the amount of data will grow steadily. At the same time, the difficulty of their storage is growing. How easy is it to store and archive data? On practice mobile devices with memory cells are not completely reliable storage. If we store valuable data on them, we should not leave them for a long time without backup.
But when connected, the device may not be correctly detected and will not work with it
Consider the main reasons why external storage does not work:
- eating problems;
- the necessary drivers are not installed;
- bad USB ports or cords
- viruses
- physical damage.
It is difficult to restore the hard drive after a crash, for this you will need to contact a service center.
An ideal backup means storing data, for example, on your computer and at least one backup in a different geographical location. But this is not entirely possible in ordinary households. The most suitable solution for home use is classic magnetic hard disks in the exterior design. If you use this drive only for backing up data from your computer and store it in your home, you will get a relatively safe backup.
Causes of invisibility of an external hard drive
However, to get even more insured, you will get another second disk, on which you will have the same content as the first backup disk. Auto backup software. Since manual backups are often tedious and boring, you are encouraged to purchase software to simplify backups. The big advantage is that it is free.
The situation is similar with other physical damage. Only with software damage can specialized tools help restore an external hard drive.
IF THE NEW EXTERNAL HDD IS NOT VISIBLE
By buying external hard drive, users hope that it will immediately start working and will not require additional configuration
This program can recognize differences in the source data and reinforce the differences and automatically update the backup. For backup, sharing and working with data on and off the local home network, they are a great helper. The disadvantage is a slightly higher purchase price, depending on capacity and features supported. For two or more drives in a device.
Insufficient external drive power
This will be all that needs to be done in short form. This is an extensive topic that can be used to publish an entire publication. However these types backups enough for ordinary user. Of course, some of the online clouds can also be used for backup. However, their use is often paid. For more frequent use with them, it is almost necessary to own a high-speed connection. If you do not belong to those who often need access to your files, this option is not entirely suitable.
This often happens. Windows latest editions are smart enough and will automatically try to install a driver for hard drive and activate it.
If this did not happen or the computer stopped seeing the hard drive, the first thing to do is think about power. Typical signs that the power on the USB port is not enough:
- noise, crackling, vibration;
- periodic loss of HDD;
- errors on indicators.
Try connecting the screw to a different port and use the cable provided, and not from another manufacturer. Sometimes an external hard drive is detected only when connected simultaneously to two USB connectors.
For new hard drives, this behavior is uncharacteristic. The main reason that the screw is not detected is in the absence of marking. It is performed independently by the user. Consider how disk partitioning is done:
- The first thing to do is go into disk management.
fig. 1. To do this, go to the PC settings and open the control panel
fig. 2. We find the Administration section in the system configuration and open the “PC Management” item
- Open the drive control point from the left column. The OS displays a list of all storage devices, including external ones.
Tip. Often, the OS does not see the drive due to the incorrect drive letter, which can be changed through the context menu in managing hard drives.
fig. 3. For a new HDD, changing the drive letter will not work
- Select the option “Create a regular volume” from the context menu. The data will be erased.
fig. 4. After creating a new volume, you need to format the external hard drive
- We select the appropriate item from the context menu and set it in the window that opens file system NTFS.
Another option due to which the new HDD may not be detected is a problem with device drivers. You can fix it as follows:
- We check the operation of the USB port by turning on the phone, a USB flash drive or another drive.
fig. 1. From the control panel, go to the device manager and look at devices marked with a yellow exclamation mark
fig. 2. From the “Actions” section we update the configuration
An alternative to solving the problem are driver packs, but it is recommended to work with them only if you have experience in troubleshooting. In some cases, you will have to reinstall the OS.
Tip. Avoid Windows builds. It is they - main reason hardware detection issues.
IF THE OLD EXTERNAL HDD IS NOT VISIBLE
Problems with drives already running on the computer also sometimes occur. They are often not caused by hardware problems and it is possible to reanimate a hard drive without contacting service centers.
Consider the actions that a typical user can take:
- Change drive letter. To do this, follow the instructions for the new HDD.
- Check the drive for viruses. Malicious software disables access to the hard drive and sets locks for individual files. Maintaining up-to-date anti-virus databases will help to avoid this problem.
- Verify that all devices in the OS are functioning correctly. To do this, open the device control and make sure that there are no yellow or red warning signs. If necessary, update the driver from the manufacturer’s website and inside the OS.
- Reinstall Windows. This can help if the HDD works correctly on another computer.
- Check the cords and try changing the port. Some USB ports may have a reduced supply voltage. After changing the port, the drive returns to normal. Actual such a problem for Acer laptops and others.
