External Hard drive not recognized (even in Disk Manager)

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Samuel_75

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
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I have a weird problem with my WD My Passport Ultra external drive, that it only works perfectly on some computers. I tested it on four different computers (two PCs, one Macbook, and one IMAC with two systems installed)

It works always on one of the two PCs and my macbook, no trouble at all. It sometimes work on my IMAC with windows system, but usually no. What I did on the IMAC with Windows system is that I uninstalled all usb related things in device manager, and reboot computer, and sometimes it recognize it. But most of the time, the iMac with windows system still doesn’t recognize it. And it never worked on a new PC or my IMAC with OS system.

What weird is that: 1. The external should be ok, because I worked perfectly on some of my computers. 2. The success of recognition does not depend the system of my computer, wether Apple or Microsoft.

I checked videos online, but I couldn’t even find it in my Disk manager, somehow. It is soon weird!!! I’m going crazy now. Anyone can help me with this weird issue?
 
Solution
D_Know_WD
Well, it is strange that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't with your iMac. If it is some sort of a driver related issue, it should be not recognized all the times. It sounds more like a connection related issue. It is nowhere to be recognized in the cases when it is not working right? (Disk Management, Device Manager)

As for your Asus, you can:
- Try all SATA ports. The ports on the back of the case tend to provide more power. Also, try both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports if possible. If you find a Y type of USB cable, you can rule out a possible power related issue. Yeah, some USB ports provide less power than others.
- Check Device Manager if you haven't done that.
- I assume all the mobo's drivers are up to date right?


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D_Know_WD

D_Know_WD

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Jul 30, 2014
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Hi there Samuel_75,

That is really unpleasant. :(

Even though the drive could be just fine, it may be a good idea to back up the data stored on it, until you sort this out.

After that, you can use a different USB cable, so you make sure this is not some sort of a connection related issue. Also, you can attach the drive to all the USB ports on the machines that it is not recognized.

Apart from that, you need to check whether and how is the HDD recognized in Disk Management and Device Manager when attached to your new PC and the iMac with Win.

As for your new Win computer, you can go to the MOBO's website and update the drivers.

What is the file system of the drive? You can check that out in Disk Manager.

Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD :)
 
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Samuel_75

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
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Hi D_Know_WD,
Thank you for your reply :D
I re-formatted my disk on my windows from NTFS to exFat, it is stil not recognizable on my new Asus computer.
In the disk management on my win, it says:
My Passport (D : )
931.48 GB exFat
Healthy (Primary Partition)
 
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D_Know_WD

D_Know_WD

Judicious
Jul 30, 2014
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It appears like that in Disk Management, and it is not recognized under My Computer right?
Could you provide a screenshot of Disk Management? Just upload the screenshot to an image hosting website and post the link over here.

Can you find another external, so you can try it on your computers? That way you will be sure if all of this is HDD or system related.

Cheers,
D_Know_WD :)
 
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Samuel_75

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
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Well, as I mentioned above, on my Imac it sometimes works, just like today :D So I can see it in both disk manager and my computer :D
however, on the Asus one I just bought it never worked, which means it neither appeared on my computer nor disk manager :( . But I tried an usb key on my Asus, it worked... So I don know who's problem it is now...
Attached is the photo of my disk manager on my IMAC, which on my Asus, it just does not appear..
PS: Sincerely thank you!! You don't even know me in person, but you are offering more than a friend!!!
image.jpg
 
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Paul NZ

Polypheme
Sep 15, 2014
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61,010
Umm if it's not recognized on a Windows system (or the ASUS) did you install any backup program like an Acronis program??ie: True Image

Because with some backup programs, these programs add their drivers to the registry (I think they add themselves to the lower/upper filter entries).

And they kind of replace the driver that should be there. result it can and will stop USB ports from working



 
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D_Know_WD

D_Know_WD

Judicious
Jul 30, 2014
6,633
3
35,960
Well, it is strange that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't with your iMac. If it is some sort of a driver related issue, it should be not recognized all the times. It sounds more like a connection related issue. It is nowhere to be recognized in the cases when it is not working right? (Disk Management, Device Manager)

As for your Asus, you can:
- Try all SATA ports. The ports on the back of the case tend to provide more power. Also, try both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports if possible. If you find a Y type of USB cable, you can rule out a possible power related issue. Yeah, some USB ports provide less power than others.
- Check Device Manager if you haven't done that.
- I assume all the mobo's drivers are up to date right?


Don't worry. It's what we are here for. We are just trying to help. :D
D_Know_WD :)
 
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