USB 2,0 Harddrive problem

Seems that USB Harddrives are quite problematic. I have this Trekstor
(german brand i guess since im in germany right now) 160GB External
Harddrive plugged via USB2,0 with a built-in USB2,0 hub since april
2005 and it has worked fine until today. I was copying some files from
my laptop to the external harddrive and suddenly I got a windows
message saying something like writing error or something like that.
After that, my laptop doesn´t recognize the Harddrive but it does
recognize the USB Hub. All the LEDs are on, the internal e-motor from
the harddrive seems to be ok (it still sounds like it works at least).

Any idea of what might have happened? Recently I have had problems with
the USB ports of the laptop (sometimes it doesn´t recognize some other
devices like mouse, webcam, cellphone, usb stick , etc.) is it possible
that there´s a connection between this and that??
If not, is it possible to take the harddrive out of the casing (I
bought it ready to use with factorymade casing), and use it in a
external casing to see if it still works?

Thanks

kabeza wrote:

> Seems that USB Harddrives are quite problematic. I have this Trekstor
> (german brand i guess since im in germany right now) 160GB External
> Harddrive plugged via USB2,0 with a built-in USB2,0 hub since april
> 2005 and it has worked fine until today. I was copying some files from
> my laptop to the external harddrive and suddenly I got a windows
> message saying something like writing error or something like that.
> After that, my laptop doesn´t recognize the Harddrive but it does
> recognize the USB Hub. All the LEDs are on, the internal e-motor from
> the harddrive seems to be ok (it still sounds like it works at least).
>
> Any idea of what might have happened? Recently I have had problems with
> the USB ports of the laptop (sometimes it doesn´t recognize some other
> devices like mouse, webcam, cellphone, usb stick , etc.) is it possible
> that there´s a connection between this and that??
> If not, is it possible to take the harddrive out of the casing (I
> bought it ready to use with factorymade casing), and use it in a
> external casing to see if it still works?

First step is to try to read the USB drive from another computer - one
with no USB problems. If that fails, take the enclosure apart and
temporarily connect it to IDE bus of a desktop box. My GUESS is the
HD is formatted FAT32. Still no joy? Time to buy a new HD and install
it in your enclosure.

What? You don't have another computer to test with? Well then, consider
this an opportunity to make new friends ... or visit the local repair
shop.

kabeza <kbgar80@gmail.com> wrote:

> Seems that USB Harddrives are quite problematic. I have this Trekstor
> (german brand i guess since im in germany right now) 160GB External
> Harddrive plugged via USB2,0 with a built-in USB2,0 hub since april
> 2005 and it has worked fine until today. I was copying some files from
> my laptop to the external harddrive and suddenly I got a windows
> message saying something like writing error or something like that.
> After that, my laptop doesn´t recognize the Harddrive but it does
> recognize the USB Hub. All the LEDs are on, the internal e-motor from
> the harddrive seems to be ok (it still sounds like it works at least).

> Any idea of what might have happened? Recently I have had problems
> with the USB ports of the laptop (sometimes it doesn´t recognize some
> other devices like mouse, webcam, cellphone, usb stick , etc.) is it
> possible that there´s a connection between this and that??

Yes, very likely indeed.

> If not, is it possible to take the harddrive out of the casing
> (I bought it ready to use with factorymade casing), and
> use it in a external casing to see if it still works?

Yes, and to have it as an internal drive to check if it works too.

Or just plug it into another PC with USB too.