External HDD keeps connecting/disconnecting continiously

Question

Hello,

I have a issue in my Alienware for a long time. I'll try to brief.

As soon as I got this laptop Alienware M17x R4, I have realized that sometimes (not always) my laptop turned off abruptly in the moment I connected any kind of USB device (pendrives and an external hdd) on it. I called the support and they fix that to me changing basically the USB driver. No more crashes anymore, but since then I am not able to connect my HDD. Pen drives work so far.

I've tried many ways to solve it following what was written on forums: I updated BIOS driver and USB driver via dell.com. Again with online chat support. Unfortunately, nothing resolved. I tested my external HDD in other 3 computers(different brands) and it worked perfectly.

I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium and this HDD is a WesternDigital model WDBACX0010BBK-01

I need help from the experts to solve this

Thanks,

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi Rod1607,

Please remove the service tag from public view for security reasons.

Please update the firmware for your external hard drive from the manufacturer's website. Please refer Why is my Western Digital 3.0 External HDD not detected?

Hope this helps.

Rod1607 · Answer

Hi DELL-Appu S,

I forgot to say that I've updated the firmware too. Nevertheless, I followed the instructions and updated again the WD Passport firmware and installed the 64-bit version of the SES Driver. I shut down my laptop, turned it on and nothing changed. It keeps connect/disconnecting each 10 sec.

Some other suggestion?

Rod

Vince.C · Answer

This is a shot in the dark...

In the device manager, Uninstall all your generic USB drivers. Drivers such as "Generic USB Hub" "USB Composite Device" "USB Mass Storage Device" and "USB Root Hub.

After uninstalling those drivers, reboot your computer and allow Windows to reinstall them. Reboot once more, and then plug in your WD drive.

That is about all I can offer at this moment.

My WD Passport works fine in my Dell Vostro w/Win 7 Pro x64.

I do hope this helps resolve that problem!

Rod1607 · Answer

Hello Vince.C,

I was hopeful about your command, but your shot in the dark didn't kill the mice. I uninstalled all components related to Universal Serial Bus controllers, restarted, let windows installed by itself and restarted again. Same thing so far. This is so frustrating.

Any other idea?

Thanks,

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi Rod1607,

Does this happen with all the USB ports available on your computer?

Also, try to perform BIOS defaults.

Power off the computer
Restart the computer, tap F2 on Dell logo 4-5 times
This will take you to the main screen of BIOS
Press ‘F9’ key once, highlight ‘Yes’, press ‘Enter’
Press ‘F10’ key once, highlight ‘Yes’, press ‘Enter’

Rod1607 · Answer

Hey Appu S,Yes, it happens with all my 4 USB ports. I tried what you've said, with the difference that I needed to press F2 only once to get into BIOS. I selected YES to 'optimal something'(F9) and exit with saving(F10). It's still the same :(

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi Rod1607,

It is strange. What's even more surprising is that it doesn't work in any of the ports. Now, it is not possible that all 4 USB ports would go bad together. This seems to be related with the operating system. My suggestion would be to re-install the operating system on the computer and check if the issue persists. Please see this Video for detailed steps.

Note: This step leads to complete data loss including pictures, music files, videos, documents and applications. Please disconnect any external peripherals as well.

Rod1607 · Answer

Well, I did the back up and re-installation of windows. It seemed it was working, but I think after some Windows automatically updates, it went back to disconnect/connect issue. I did not installed anything, but suddenly it started to happen again.

I also installed the 64-bit version of the SES Driver., just in case.

I'm almost giving up.

�

PudgyOne · Answer

Rod1607,

Did you try this tweak?

Start, control panel, device manager.

Go to the USB Controller section and click the + sign.

Go to each USB Root Hub and right click on it, left click properties, left click power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Restart your computer.

�

Rick

Rod1607 · Answer

Nope, nothing... Where are you Dungeon Master? Ps. I do believe it's a windows upgrade that did this. But I can't prove and I have no idea which upgrade it'd be.

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi Rod1607,

Could you please share a screenshot of all the Windows Updates. Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> View installed updates. Share the screenshot of all the updates. Let me review them.

Rod1607 · Answer

Hi, I screenshot all updates, but it's impossible to share here. It allows images with only 64K (???) and with this size, it's unreadable. Where else do you want me to share these images?

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi Rod1607, i have sent you a private message with my email address. Please send me the pictures on my email.

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi Rod1607,

Thank you for sharing the pictures; appreciate it. This system also has an eSATA port on the right hand side. You request you to connect the external hard drive onto the eSATA port and check if you experience the same issue (please ignore if you've already).

Rod1607 · Answer

Hi Appu,

First of all, I've already noticed the eSata port but I was not sure for what purpose I should use it. I just thought myself it was for an eSata connections (which I've never had a device with this port). Moreover, I didn't know a usb plug could fit into a eSata port. Thank you for that.

I did a couple of tests and nothing wrong happened or crashed so far. It worked in a slow speed transferring, but fine.

I would appreciate if you guys continue to help me with the USB ports - I'm still desire to solve it. Although, I'm very happy that I can access my files for now.

Thanks,

Locked Topics – Laptops General

External HDD keeps connecting/disconnecting continiously

Was this post helpful?