External hard drive connectivity problem...

snags | 12:47 Mon 06th Sep 2010 | Technology

9 Answers

For the last eighteen months I have been using an external hard drive (Freecom) with a laptop (Novatech) to transfer files without problem. Recently however, any attempt to connect the external HD (via any of the laptop's available USB ports) causes the laptop to instantly shut down. The shut down occurs as soon as the HD's USB plug touches the laptop's USB slot.

I've tried the external HD with another laptop (Mac) and it connects, mounts and transfers files without problem. Any ideas what could be causing this connectivity problem? Thanks.

Storing Emails

Transferring paper images into digital!

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ChuckFickens

Don't like the sound of that!!!

What happens if you plug anything else into the USB?

snags

Question Author

Hey chuck. This is actually CD's external HD & laptop. Ipod connects, mounts and transfers ok via USB ports. I could try her digital camera later. Weird thing: when looking at the USB ports on the laptop, the 'black bars' inside seem to be 'closed'?! To actually plug the USB plug from the external HD in is actually quite difficult, whereas it fits easily in to my Mac ( of course ;-p )...

ChuckFickens

I would download the ubuntu ISO...

http://www.ubuntu.com...p/get-ubuntu/download

then write the ISO to a CD, boot the problem computer from the CD.... plug the Drive in and look to see if the drive pops up on the desktop.....

If it still has the same problem it's a hardware fault... if it works then it's a windows problem to work on...

snags

Question Author

Ta... I'll get CD to do that pmsl...

ChuckFickens

Actually.....

Just try a new lead first :)

ChuckFickens

errr .....USB lead.... not....

OH never mind!

snags

Question Author

If it was just the lead, the HD wouldn't connect, mount and transfer without problems as it does on my Mac, would it?

ChuckFickens

No probably not.. my last thought is, if it's a 2.5inch drive with one of the cables with two connectors is the correct connector being used as only one works for data.

But the shutting down straight away is not good, which is why I I'm worried it's a hardware problem.... the test by booting from a CD would find that out.