External Harddrive isn't shown

I installed a new Philips external Harddrive. The PC regognized it and reported that installation was successful and I can use the Hardware. But the Harddrive is nowhere to be seen, neither in the Explorer nor elsewhere. I looked for a new driver on the Philips Homepage, but there weren't any. So what to do?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:57 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Are you looking for the drive letter of the new hard disk? What is the make/model of the PC? Is it a USB drive? And, assuming you're using Windows XP, did you check to see if the hard drive can be seen in Device Manager (Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Device Manager)? Keep in mind that most hard drives come un-formatted and un-partitioned.

Other suggestions... Make sure you're connecting the drive to a USB 2.0 port - as 1.x ports have lousy downward compatibility. Plug the drive into a dedicated USB port; do NOT plug it into a USB hub unless the USB hub is powered.

--- groink

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:53 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Thanks for the fast reply.
You are correct. I'm looking for the Drive Letter. Although the device manager is listing the hard drive as USB-Controller, it gets no drive letter.
I have no idea how to format a device, I can't see in the Explorer.
I can try your suggestion with an another USB-Hub later, although I'm afraid that my Laptop has only 1.0 USB. Right now I am not working but I am at work Big Smile

I'm using a Toshiba Satelite P10 Laptop, Win XP (updated).

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:09 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

try going to the start menu, and "run" once you open run, type "compmgmt.msc " without the " " once there under the storage section see if you see the harddrive, if you do then format it, it should work then, if you can't see it, i'm guess its cause it connected thru a hub like groink said, it could cause a problem sometimes

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Hmm, it doesn't work. The Harddrive is not listed in the storage section. Seems to be the too old laptop then.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

did you try connecting/installing it with another computer to see if the prob is with ur laptop or the hd? since i recently bought a seagate hd and it works great for both my laptop and computers..

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000

This article explains how to create a partition.

--- groink

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:21 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:35 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Is it not listed in the "Devices with Removable Storage" section of My Computer? You can click on one of the drives there and click the details button to the left to see if there's any storage space close to the size of your drive. If there is, that may be it.

Is your hard drive compatible with both usb types? Maybe it's because your laptop is usb 1 and the external is usb 2.

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

After all this trouble I decided to return the harddrive and get me another one. Maybe I have more luck then. I keep you informed.

EDIT: Yes, the other Harddrive is perfectly working. So thank you guys.