Matt Schaef problem

longhornrangler

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Apr 26, 2004
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I have a problem known as Matt S. I have a Maxtor external hard drive which is not being detected by my Dell Laptop. I have the USB cable plugged into the docking station, and the laptop itself only has a USB2.
 

ChipDeath

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May 16, 2002
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USB2 is backwards-compatible. You should be able to plug a USB 1.1 device into a USB2 port.

Does anything else work when plugged into the docking station's USB port? i.e. do you know if the port on the docking station works at all?

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Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 

ChipDeath

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May 16, 2002
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Have you tried plugging it directly into the Laptop? Is the drive Powered from the USB connection or a separate power supply? maybe the docking station USB port doesn't deliver enough power for some reason? Just a thought.

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Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 

longhornrangler

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Apr 26, 2004
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it doesn't seem to have a USB connection directly on the laptop. good idea as I tried that and that could certainly be the issue because I have no lights on the external hard drive.
 

ChipDeath

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May 16, 2002
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Does the drive definitely work? I assume you've used it on another computer somewhere, so probably does I guess..

did it come with any drivers or utilities?

Also, a laptop with NO USB ports is very odd. even really slimline versions usually have at least one USB port. you sure it's not just hidden behind some little flap somewhere?

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Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744
 

P4Man

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Feb 6, 2004
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every external harddisk I'm aware off needs its own power supply, USB can't handle such high loads AFAIK.

= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =