My External Hard Drive not recognised or labelled

Bandicoot

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I am posting this again in new thread as I previously couldnt get tv to read ext hdd.

Then bought a usb hub with ext power. The hard drive would flash once and ,message on tv screen was then "No device attached".

After much deliberation I then realized that I had done something and lost the directory name of my Ext HDD somehow through fiddling.

So...
I can see the device and its name in Device Management /Computer management but not on My Computer.

I have also uninstalled, rebooted and then allowed hdd to re-install itself.

The only option I get on Computer Management/Disk Management is "Help" when I right click and try and rename the drive and not the same options as when I click on the other available drives.

***Biggest problem is that I cant allocated a drive no. to this external drive.****
 
Have you tried repartitioning it? easus / paragon / active boot should work fine. secondly, you don't need a powered hub if the cable you have for the drive has the extra usb plug for power. I have to use my transcend portable's cable on my WD when I plug it into my TV. I guess it just needs a bit of extra power. :)
 
Sorry but how do I re-partition if I cant see it listed except in Computer Management?

I have a similar off-and-on problem with a Transcend drive.

Use the Disk Management (with Computer Management) to assign your drive a disk letter: all will then be well.

NB: This is a known Windows problem. Unfortunately there is generally no fix, though some Googling may resolve your particular issue.
 
Repartitioning is done in computer management (CM), but if you do it, you will loose data. Do you see partitions in CM? If you don't, or CM shows a RAW partition, then might be reading problems.

I agree with the post on other thread that drive is stuffed. Don't do anything if you want data back. The sound you described indicate it.

Opening the box and connecting the drive directly to PC SATA controller would give more clue.
 
Last night I used chkdsk /f to fix Toshiba EHD (relieved some stress :) )
What about a flash drive with almost similar problem. When connected to PC, it installs software and I get ready to use msg, but drive is not assigned (not visible at all) ? Stuffed memory stick?
 
Linux livecd with gparted IF the data is no longer required.
 
Never attempt to restore partitions before making sure that drive is properly recognised in BIOS and utilities (model number, capacity, serial number). Other issues for checking:
1. There are no reading errors showing that hard drive is failing.
2. There is no SMART errors.

Only if all above is passed you can try to restore partitions. Otherwise continue with cloning the drive (as long as you can).
 
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