[Brirwood]

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.1
OS Version: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium , Service Pack 2, 64 bit
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5300 @ 2.60GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 6133 Mb
Graphics Card: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family, 320 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 596475 MB, Free - 448532 MB; D: Total - 14001 MB, Free - 1973 MB;
Motherboard: PEGATRON CORPORATION, Benicia, 1.01, MS1C95R42803303
Antivirus: Avanquest Double Anti-Spy, Not Updated

Have WD500 GB External drive with usb connection. Drive lights up but pc does not recognize drive with either XP or Vista (64bit). Tried different usb cables but still dive not seen. WD site says just reformat drive but if I can't see the drive how can I access it. Any suggestions are appreciated

[domasmak]

Is the device visible in Disk Management?

You can view this by opening Computer Management (Right click on Computer - Manage - Disk Management) You should be able to reformat the drive from there if it is visible.

[Brirwood]

Drive does not show in disk management or in device manager or in computer. Does not beep when connected to pc. XP or Vista OSs do not see drive. Case does not have any easy way to open to remove drive. I will try freezer method to see if I can "unstick" it

[Brirwood]

Freezer method did not unstick the drive. Tried the "drop test" but still no response from the drive. Trying to remove drive from enclosure but that is not easy. Don't want to use force to ruin the enclosure. Drive lights up but there is no response from the PC OSs. Drive does not feel like it is spinning. Seems like the only use now is as a door stop.

[highspeed]

Tried it in another system? Also try a different OS.

[gleites]

I also have the same problem - tried different computers, OSes, cables ... The drive starts working but computer doesn't recognize it

[highspeed]

When i went to the shop to buy an external hard drive, that was the only available ones there and I needed it urgently so I bought it and I bought it for the fact that it had a drive lock encryption on it but the connection is very bad. WD made their own special USB cable connection for it and also the most annoying part is that you can't open the drive enclosure so easily. It's very very very hard if you try it. I don't know if forcing it would render the drive useless but if I were you "Brirwood", since it doesn't work anymore after several methods of troubleshooting, I would try and take off the enclosure no matter what, just take the risk and see if you can open it.

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by Brirwood

Freezer method did not unstick the drive. Tried the "drop test" but still no response from the drive. Trying to remove drive from enclosure but that is not easy. Don't want to use force to ruin the enclosure. Drive lights up but there is no response from the PC OSs. Drive does not feel like it is spinning. Seems like the only use now is as a door stop.

How is the drive powered?