:confused: Attaching external HD disconnects internet

wmaker

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:confused:
Hi,
I am attaching an 80GB NTFS formatted IDE hard drive to Windows XP SP1 using an IDE-to-USB adapter, but the moment it is attached, the ADSL internet connection with the Netgear DG834G is lost. There is not problem accessing the drive. Once it is detached, the on-line connection becomes active again. The router setup mainly left at default for ADSL.

Searching on-line has not shown up anything. Any suggestions on what else to check or solutions, please?
 
Check your I/O settings in Bios.

Thanks - this is a Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 board. What should I look for in the BIOS setup?

BTW, I tried the same external USB connected drive attached to another networked machine (different board) and also no luck connecting to internet ...
 
Sometimes your adsl/modem and the external drive are on the same I/O port and it causes conflicts, that could be why it drops the connection but if you've tried it on a diff PC then your external drive could be fried.
 
Thanks - this is a Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 board. What should I look for in the BIOS setup?

BTW, I tried the same external USB connected drive attached to another networked machine (different board) and also no luck connecting to internet ...
Well then it could be a piece of software that runs when you connect it that somehow blocks the net. If you have valuable stuff on the HDD, back it up, format and see if if still does it. Seeing as it does it on another machine too, I'm betting that your HDD is infected.
 
Well then it could be a piece of software that runs when you connect it that somehow blocks the net. If you have valuable stuff on the HDD, back it up, format and see if if still does it. Seeing as it does it on another machine too, I'm betting that your HDD is infected.

The hard drive was already cleanly formatted as NTFS and is not broken - it is just the internet connection that fails.

So perhaps not a hardware fault but software settings: Windows or Netgear router? This also happens on another networked Windows machine, so less likely Windows. I do not have this problem when I attach a 2GB USB stick, only with the hard drive.
 
Yes the external HDD uses an external power adapter. I think 2.5" laptop drives don't need external power. The IDE-USB adapter + external power is an OKION DriveWalker kit.
 
I am having the same problem and I have no idea how to fix it. Can someone please help.
 
Ok.

Is your router setup with your details (username/password) on it, or do you have to do a 'connect to...' when you want to access the internet?

Then, what exactly happens?

1) the network connection to the router is lost (is the connection then also lost to other PCs on the network if there are any?), or
2) the router loses its ADSL connection to the ISP, or
3) the PC loses internet access but keeps a network connection to the router.

This will help narrow things down.
 
Also try accessing Safe mode with networking option (Tap F8 before windows logo appears) and attach device / HDD and see if the net works :)
 
The HDD is in a coolermaster casing working off a PS. When the HDD is plugged into the front usb ports, I am no longer able to use the internet but therer is still a connection fromthe pc to the router. My pc is connected to the router via a D-link wifi dongle which is plugged into one of the back usb ports. As soon as I switch off the HDD, I am able to use the internet again. When I want to connect to the net I DO NOT have to click on connect to... When my pc boots up it automatically connects to the internet.
 
What happens if you use different USB ports?
If I plug the HDD into a different usb port in the front the same happens. I have yet to try and plug the wifi dongle into a different usb port at the back. I also noticed that if the HDD is on for a while the connection between the wifi dongle and the router is completely disconnected. Its as if the HDD cancels the communication between the pc and the dongle.
 
Do plug the wifi dongle into another USB port, and see what happens.

Reminds me of the IRQ dance with old PC's...
 
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