USB device not recognized...
By dante_off
@dante_off (607)
India
November 19, 2010 5:25am CST
I have an external hard disk, 1 TB Free Agent.
I have been keeping my important files and documents in it, yesterday when I plugged it in, it showed USB device not recognized.
I called the service center, they told that they will replace it but I will lose the data.
I have tried many things, like plugged it into a different computer to check for errors, but there too it shows the same message. I am worried. I have all my files dating back to around 3 years now.
What should I do now?
5 responses
@highschoolrazors8547 (293)
• Malaysia
20 Nov 10
Hi dante_off,
Ok,your HDD is seagate brand right? In my opinion,Seagate do have faults in their firmware of the 1 TB and 500 GB HDD.First,when plugging in the USB cable,check whether the HDD is running is not by putting your hand on it or hear the motor turning.If it is,then,your HDD is fine.Next,check for any screeching sounds.If there are,your HDD is not getting enough power which means the USB cable is at fault.Try replacing the USB cable.Otherwise,you need to backup your data somewhere(which they say is quite pricey),and send the HDD back to Seagate where they will replace it with a new one.I have a computer shop,and these are the only options.I wouldn't agree with opening your hard drive since you would lose both data and HDD due to warranty loss.Hope this helps!
1 person likes this
@dante_off (607)
• India
20 Nov 10
Checked all that you have told, all are working fine. Think I need to replace it now.
One of my friend was telling to use TuneUp Utilities to check for errors, will it work?
~cheerio~
@dante_off (607)
• India
20 Nov 10
Ya thanks I will surely try it out.
Ya I have Western Digital 250 GB ext HDD with me. Next time I will go for WD only.
I have heard that Seagate HDDs are rated more in comparison to WD HDDs, is it true?
~cheerio~
@highschoolrazors8547 (293)
• Malaysia
20 Nov 10
One more thing,if both test fail within a minute,try to use a different USB cable.If problem persists,you should send it back to the company.This is because Seagate 1TB and 500GB drives have firmware errors really.I've few customer who came to chnage their seagate HDD.One moment,the HDDs are working fine,another moment,windows won't start from their HDD.Next time,if you wanted to go for any portable or standalone HDD,choose Western Digital ones instead.It's quite expensive but worth the price.
1 person likes this
@smacksman (6053)
•
19 Nov 10
Before sending it back you could try removing the drive from the external casing and inserting it as a second hard drive into a desk top PC.
If you can then access the files it would prove that the external casing was faulty.
All the drives in external cases are just ordinary SATA 3.5" drives. Well, not quite, some of the very small portable drives use 2" SATA drives used in laptops but 1TB drives in that size are rare but they will still work in a desktop but have to mount in the floppy disc slot or just lie on the bottom of the case.
1 person likes this
@dante_off (607)
• India
19 Nov 10
Well this will definitely void the warranty, then it won't work either way.
Thanks for your suggestion.
~cheerio~
@smacksman (6053)
•
19 Nov 10
True, but then how much value do you put on your documents?
You return the drive and loose all your backups. Your choice.
1 person likes this
@dante_off (607)
• India
20 Nov 10
Yes thats even true, I have got some pretty important stuff in there.
Will try out some technique.
Thanks for your suggestion.
~cheerio~
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
20 Nov 10
i'm not really good at technology... so i'm so sorry if i can't help you out with your problem... but i think you should try to check the data cable and see if there is something wrong with it... i hope the other mylotters here will be able to help you more and you will be able to solve your problem soon... good luck... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@dante_off (607)
• India
20 Nov 10
Ya people here are really helping me out, I think the above methods will surely help. Well thanks for your kind concern.
~cheerio~
@forester1985 (999)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 10
there is you external HD use cable data for connect on the PC/notebook? if yes, you can check the cable data, I think something wrong with your cable data, and try to buy the new one.
1 person likes this
@dante_off (607)
• India
19 Nov 10
I have tried it with a memory card reader and it worked fine. Thats why I contacted the customer care. One of my friend told to let it connected to computer, after sometime it will show an option to check for errors automatically, and then after it checks for error, the hard disk will be fine.
~cheerio~
@jamuls (530)
• Philippines
19 Nov 10
hi there! this happened to my friend's ext HD too and he ended up spending quite a lot of cash just to get his files back. i've heard something about those terra bite HDs that gets busted easily. i hope you can revive it and get your files back.
if it was me, i would try smackman's suggestion...
good luck!
1 person likes this
@dante_off (607)
• India
20 Nov 10
Ya I will go for that suggestion, unable to see any other way.
Thanks for your kind concern.
~cheerio~
