Seagate external hard drive not always recognized

Question

I have a Seagate external drive connected to my Dimensions 4700C. When I boot the computer and plug in the power and USB cords for the Seagate, the computer recognizes the Seagate. But when I shut down and reboot again, Windows does not load but freezes with a black screen and a flashing cursor. Unplug the Seagate external HD and the computer will reboot properly. Plug in the Seagate USB and Power and computer recognizes the Seagate. But then all the problems just repeat themselves (try to reboot and windows freezes, until I disconnect the Seagate). All of this happens ONLY when I shut down windows by using the red shutdown button (as opposed to the green restart button) If I shut down using the green restart button and not the red button, windows boots and the computer recognizes the Seagate. No problem as long as I shut down using the green 'restart' button, only when I use the red button. I've talked to a technician at Dell for literally three hours over several days and he hasn't resolved the problem. I've talked to Seagate several times over several days and he hasn't solved the problem. Conversations are still going on with both. Any suggestions. I'm weary! The solution is probably simple. We've even gone into BIOS so that option has been explored. Sorry this is so long.

osprey4 · Answer

You're absolutely sure you have no USB device listed in the boot sequence.   Just enlighten me since I'm not familiar with the 4700C. What is the red button? If this is an external power source, then you should not be using this to power the system off.

Zeus92262 · Answer

Hi, Thanks for trying to be helpful. You asked if I was absolutely sure no USB devices are listed in the boot sequence. I can't answer that question because I think it would require going into BIOS to check. But both Dell and Seagate have explored that section of BIOS so they know (and hopefully understand) the boot sequence and would know if there is a problem with the sequence. Your other question (about the buttons to shut down the computer). These are standard options with all Windows Operating Systems, I believe. Here's the explanation: To shut down Windows, you click the 'Start' button at the bottom of the screen. That brings up two choices: a 'log-off' button or a 'turn-off computer' button. Clicking on the 'turn-off computer'button brings up three choices: 1. a yellow 'standby' button 2. a red 'turn-off' button 3. a green 'restart'button Most people pick the red 'turn off' button when they shut down for the night, only using the green 'restart' button if they want to continue immediately. Hitting the red button shuts down the computer completely and it won't restart until I press the power button on the CPU. Hitting the green button also shuts down the computer but it will immediately restart without you using the main on/off button on the CPU/ I only have a problem with the Seagate external hard drive when I press the red button. There's no problem when I press the green 'restart' button. All of the above has nothing to do with the main on/off switch on the CPU. I never shut down the computer by just using the main on/off button. Geeze, all of the above is rather a long explanation for something pretty fundamental to Windows.

mombodog · Answer

Is this a XPsp2 PC?   This was an issue in XPsp1, but was fixed in sp2.

osprey4 · Answer

Zeus92262 wrote:
But both Dell and Seagate have explored that section of BIOS so they know (and hopefully understand) the boot sequence and would know if there is a problem with the sequence.

I wouldn't be too sure. The Seagate people likely wouldn't know the answer and the Dell techies? Well, as I said, Don't be too sure.

mombodog · Answer

Thanks for posting the FIX.  :smileyhappy:

Zeus92262 · Answer

Not sure how I let everyone know that the problem with the Seagate External hard drive has been resolved. Three hours on the phone with tech support (both Seagate and Dell) did not resolve the problem. But then, suddenly, I get an e-mail from some angel at Dell. Her solution was to go into BIOS. Scroll to Onboard devices. Scroll to USB controller. If this is set to ON, switch it to NO BOOT, exit and save. It was set to ON. I did change it to NO BOOT and the problem was resolved. Of course I don't understand any of that, but I did it and it worked and now after having had the Seagate for three months and never having it be recognized by my computer - well, now everything seems to be just fine. Thanks for anyone else's suggestions.

osprey4 · Answer

You're welcome!

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Seagate external hard drive not always recognized

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