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December 3rd, 2010 04:00
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES
Removed two 200GB Maxtor 3.5 SATA 150 HDD drives from old system and installed in "SMART DRIVE" enclosures.
Connected disk 1 to computer using e-sata. It showed up in "Computer" as "DISK (G)". Formatted it and loaded photos. without any problems, a few times. The drive could be accessed by a desktop shortcut for "Drive G."
Replaced Disk 1 with Disk 2 (formatted) and carried out Windows complete backup on it. Then disconnected and installed Disk 1 again.
A few weeks later wanted to add more photos to Disk 1 but as soon as I switched on it's power I got the following message in the task bar "Has found storage device. A storage device was connected. I f this device is a Port Multiplier, only Port 0 of the Port Multiplier will be active".
I noticed that Drive G no longer shows in "Computer" , the mouse is erratic and the sysytem much slower. When I power the external drive off everything returns to normal.
It appears that backing up Windows to Disk 2 changed things !
Using updated Vista Ultimate on Dimension XPS 420.
Would be very grateful for any advice.
BDTB
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December 3rd, 2010 04:00
Thank you EJN. The problem applies to both external drives. It seems that for some reason the second one (Windows Backup) altered things.
ejn63
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December 3rd, 2010 04:00
Sounds like one of the drives has failed. Seagate bought Maxtor a few years ago and should have a diagnostic you can use to confirm that.
ejn63
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December 3rd, 2010 05:00
It could be - but one faulty drive in a paired enclosure could render both drives invisible as well. Maxtor had a reputation for making junk for a couple of years before Seagate took over -- in some ways it's amazing the drive(s) survived as long as they did.
I would investigate the failed-drive prospect first.
BDTB
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December 3rd, 2010 11:00
Hello EJN
A bit of confusion in my text? The drives are in their own seperate enclosures and the power and e-sata cables are transferred from one to the other.
Many thanks.
Brian
ejn63
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December 3rd, 2010 19:00
Sorry - it sounded like the drives were in a single enclosure.
Will either drive work independently of the other?
BDTB
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December 4th, 2010 01:00
Each one behaves exactly the same as the other i.e. DriveG no longer exists and the same information re. "Storage Multiplier" is displayed.
Brian
ejn63
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December 4th, 2010 03:00
Do the enclosures also have USB connectors? If so, do those work properly?
BDTB
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December 5th, 2010 02:00
Connected with USB but all that happens is that the Enclosure's power indicator keeps flashing but the drive is not recognized in "Computer". However, the system returned to normal speed - i.e. the mouse behaves itself !
I suspect that something went amiss when backing up windows to the other disk ?
BDTB
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December 5th, 2010 06:00
Further to above. Remembered I have an old USB Docking Station and so tried that. No problem ! "Computer" shows "DriveG" and disk is accessed from desktop shortcut. Loaded more photos without any trouble. Can only assume that both "Smart Drive" enclosures are not so smart !! Now pursing that line.
I am very grateful for your time and trouble.
Brian