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AR15.COM
4/18/2013 9:49:43 AM EDT
I have a 1TB Seagate drive.

In the past 2 weeks, I've had it plugged into 3 different computers, all 3 are running Win 7. 2 laptops, 1 desktop. The laptops have USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, the desktop is just USB 2.0.

The USB cable for the drive is USB 3.0.

2 weeks ago, it would show up just fine on the 2 laptops.

This past weekend I plugged it into the desktop, and it worked fine.

Tried plugging it into the 2 laptops over the last 2 days and neither one recognizes the drive now. Tried all the USB ports.

Any idea what's going on here?
4/18/2013 10:01:32 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I have a 1TB Seagate drive.

In the past 2 weeks, I've had it plugged into 3 different computers, all 3 are running Win 7. 2 laptops, 1 desktop. The laptops have USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, the desktop is just USB 2.0.

The USB cable for the drive is USB 3.0.

2 weeks ago, it would show up just fine on the 2 laptops.

This past weekend I plugged it into the desktop, and it worked fine.

Tried plugging it into the 2 laptops over the last 2 days and neither one recognizes the drive now. Tried all the USB ports.

Any idea what's going on here?


You did make sure to eject the drive before disconnecting it, right?
4/18/2013 10:02:42 AM EDT
[#2]
Yes.
4/18/2013 10:26:50 AM EDT
[#3]
Plug it into one of the 2 laptops that don't recognize it.

Then right click on Computer in the start menu, and then click manage.

A window should come up with several options on the left, click on disk management and see if the external HDD appears there.
4/18/2013 10:35:53 AM EDT
[#4]
could be either the drive going bad or the enclosure.

take it out and hook it up directly and see if it shows up.
4/20/2013 4:48:17 PM EDT
[#5]



Quoted:


Plug it into one of the 2 laptops that don't recognize it.



Then right click on Computer in the start menu, and then click manage.



A window should come up with several options on the left, click on disk management and see if the external HDD appears there.


It's not seen.






Quoted:


could be either the drive going bad or the enclosure.



take it out and hook it up directly and see if it shows up.




The drive is completely enclosed. No screws or anything and I don't see a way to snap it apart.



But, it has the SATA connections exposed. Just need to find a loose cable somewhere...



 
4/21/2013 6:38:11 AM EDT
[#6]
is it just a HD?
or is it an enclosure?

if it is an enclosure, check youtube. someone took it apart.
4/21/2013 7:22:19 AM EDT
[#7]
Does any computer recognize it?

Have the PCs been rebooted lately?
4/21/2013 7:41:39 AM EDT
[#8]



Quoted:


Does any computer recognize it?



Have the PCs been rebooted lately?
One of the laptops has, and the desktop. The other laptop is not mine.

 



The desktop recognizes it.
4/21/2013 8:09:58 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Does any computer recognize it?

Have the PCs been rebooted lately?
One of the laptops has, and the desktop. The other laptop is not mine.  

The desktop recognizes it.


So just to clarify,  you've confirmed the drive and enclosure still work by connecting it to the desktop?  It just doesn't show up on either laptop?
4/21/2013 8:12:52 AM EDT
[#10]



Quoted:



Quoted:




Quoted:

Does any computer recognize it?



Have the PCs been rebooted lately?
One of the laptops has, and the desktop. The other laptop is not mine.  



The desktop recognizes it.




So just to clarify,  you've confirmed the drive and enclosure still work by connecting it to the desktop?  It just doesn't show up on either laptop?


Correct. It shows up almost instantly when I plug it up to the desktop.



 
4/21/2013 8:21:29 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
Does any computer recognize it?

Have the PCs been rebooted lately?
One of the laptops has, and the desktop. The other laptop is not mine.  

The desktop recognizes it.


So just to clarify,  you've confirmed the drive and enclosure still work by connecting it to the desktop?  It just doesn't show up on either laptop?

Correct. It shows up almost instantly when I plug it up to the desktop.
 


Have you tried plugging any other USB devices into the laptop and making sure the ports are functioning correctly?
4/21/2013 8:23:55 AM EDT
[#12]



Quoted:



Have you tried plugging any other USB devices into the laptop and making sure the ports are functioning correctly?


Yes, I regularly use a thumb drive and a USB cable to charge my phone with in that same port. Works just fine.



 
4/21/2013 8:26:18 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:

Quoted:

Have you tried plugging any other USB devices into the laptop and making sure the ports are functioning correctly?

Yes, I regularly use a thumb drive and a USB cable to charge my phone with in that same port. Works just fine.
 


1) Does the external drive have a power supply or is it a smaller unit that gets power from the PC?

2) Does the power light on the drive come on when plugged in to the laptop?
4/21/2013 8:30:08 AM EDT
[#14]



Quoted:




Quoted:




Quoted:



Have you tried plugging any other USB devices into the laptop and making sure the ports are functioning correctly?


Yes, I regularly use a thumb drive and a USB cable to charge my phone with in that same port. Works just fine.

 




1) Does the external drive have a power supply or is it a smaller unit that gets power from the PC?



2) Does the power light on the drive come on when plugged in to the laptop?


It has it's own power supply.



Yes.



 
4/21/2013 8:36:19 AM EDT
[#15]
I want to confirm that if you right-click on Computer and select Properties and go to Storage -> Disk Management that the drive does not show up.  

If it does not, if you go right above where you are to System Tools -> Device Manager it should display a bunch of stuff in the right window pane.  Your PC name should be at the top and it should show Disk Drives.  What is listed under there?

Also, if you right click on your PC name under Device Manager and select "Scan for hardware changes" does it find the external drive?
4/21/2013 9:14:24 AM EDT
[#16]







I'm sorta wondering if it doesn't have anything to do with this little doohickey. I had taken it off yesterday to see about how to take the enclosure off, and when I plugged it in a few minutes ago, the laptop saw the drive. I took the doohickey off and reconnected it and now the laptop isn't seeing it.







 
4/21/2013 9:35:05 AM EDT
[#17]
So it works if that is attached to the drive?
4/21/2013 9:52:58 AM EDT
[#18]



Quoted:


So it works if that is attached to the drive?


Not really. I took it off, and put it back on then connected it to the laptop and it came up. But now the laptop isn't seeing it again. Makes me think it's flaky.



 
4/21/2013 10:53:11 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:

Quoted:
So it works if that is attached to the drive?

Not really. I took it off, and put it back on then connected it to the laptop and it came up. But now the laptop isn't seeing it again. Makes me think it's flaky.
 


There could be a loose connection or something.  What model drive is it?
4/21/2013 11:09:42 AM EDT
[#20]



Quoted:



Quoted:




Quoted:

So it works if that is attached to the drive?


Not really. I took it off, and put it back on then connected it to the laptop and it came up. But now the laptop isn't seeing it again. Makes me think it's flaky.

 




There could be a loose connection or something.  What model drive is it?


99% sure it's this one. It just says "FreeAgent GoFlex Desk" on it. No actual model # listed.



 
4/21/2013 11:31:12 AM EDT
[#21]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
So it works if that is attached to the drive?

Not really. I took it off, and put it back on then connected it to the laptop and it came up. But now the laptop isn't seeing it again. Makes me think it's flaky.
 


There could be a loose connection or something.  What model drive is it?

99% sure it's this one. It just says "FreeAgent GoFlex Desk" on it. No actual model # listed.
 


If I'm looking at the Data Sheet correctly it appers that the base is what's connected to the PC and you can remove the drive from it.  If that's the case there could be a warn connector or it could be something else entirely.  If you are in the Houston are shoot me an IM.  I don't mind taking a look at in person but I'm running out of ideas with out actually being able to see it first hand.
4/21/2013 11:38:33 AM EDT
[#22]



Quoted:



If I'm looking at the Data Sheet correctly it appers that the base is what's connected to the PC and you can remove the drive from it.  If that's the case there could be a warn connector or it could be something else entirely.  If you are in the Houston are shoot me an IM.  I don't mind taking a look at in person but I'm running out of ideas with out actually being able to see it first hand.


Yeah, I can remove the base and it has the Sata/Power connector on the bottom. I need to pick up one of these guys and can determine if it's the base or not.



I'm in the DFW area, unfortunately. Thanks for your help though.



 
4/21/2013 11:44:40 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:

Quoted:

If I'm looking at the Data Sheet correctly it appers that the base is what's connected to the PC and you can remove the drive from it.  If that's the case there could be a warn connector or it could be something else entirely.  If you are in the Houston are shoot me an IM.  I don't mind taking a look at in person but I'm running out of ideas with out actually being able to see it first hand.

Yeah, I can remove the base and it has the Sata/Power connector on the bottom. I need to pick up one of these guys and can determine if it's the base or not.

I'm in the DFW area, unfortunately. Thanks for your help though.
 


I have a SATA/USB converter that I use for stuff like this.  Does the base plug in to anything or do the cables connect to the other part?  It pisses me off that it's got me stumped.
4/21/2013 11:49:52 AM EDT
[#24]

4/21/2013 4:10:42 PM EDT
[#25]
Interesting.  I haven't seen anything like that in person.
4/22/2013 10:44:46 AM EDT
[#26]
Have you run the External Hard Drive Troubleshooter from Seagate?

http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/213055en

http://forums.seagate.com/t5/FreeAgent-Products/Common-issues-seen-on-this-forum-check-here-first/m-p/3687

Good Luck!