20 Most Recent Maxtor Personal Storage 3100 (M01B080) 80 GB Hard Drive Questions & Answers

I'd recommend that you use this hard drive data recovery program, you can download the program fromhttp://www.asoftech.com/adr/

If the computer is connected to the power line, even if it is shutdown, you probably have in the BIOS settings the option to power it on from external sources like LAN, USB etc that is turned ON. So the USB port are still powered hence the external HDD is powered also.

Unfortunately, hard drive clicking sounds usually mean the disk is defective, and there is nothing to be done. Take from this the lesson to always back-up your data. Depending on the value of your data you might try a (expensive) professional data recovery service to salvage your lost data. s your drive is a Maxtor, I think perhaps the most appropriate on to try is Seagate's own, which you can find something about from www.seagate.com (if you do find a solution, be sure to post it here pleae) 13.April.2014

There's usually a switch somewhere on the back panel. The switch may say "I/O" instead of "on/off" (I = on, O = off). The switch has no effect unless the device is plugged into an electrical outlet or equivalent power source. If the device is plugged in, you may turn it on with the switch.

hi,

• Check the drive's power connections.Unplug and plug it.

• Try switching the power cable with the ROM's.

Sounds like hard drive failure to me.. if your computer doesn't detect the drive then it will be very difficult to retrieve the data back if its still under warranty I would try sending it back and see if they can recover the data if not if the data is important there are company's that will recover data but it comes at a price...
Sorry for the bad news
Adam

You can find PDF versions of the documentation for this hard drive here. Scroll down to the Personal Storage 3100 to find the relevant links.

As far as the CD is concerned, Maxtor (which is now owned by Seagate) provides the drivers required to use the external drive as downloads on their website as well, which can be found here. If the CD contained more than just drivers, the only other option would be to contact Seagate directly and find out if they are able to send you a replacement.

1. your hard drive may not be compatible with the mother board
2. check the manufacturers installation set up instructions and compatibility information and see if it match you pc unit.
3. check the computer manufacturers site to see if your pc can accommodate the hard drive.
4. check the cable to see if it is connected backwards > that is is power connection to the cable getting a 5v /12 volt from the power supply> this may take a computer tech to check if you are not familiar with the electronics.

Hi free101

There are several reasons why external storage failure was detected on the computer
1> usb wire failure
2> usb port failure
3> connector on the external casing failed to detect the external storage (or connectors are damaged)
4> damaged hard disk (external storage that is damaged)
5> virus in external storage or a computer virus in it to prevent detection.

How to you identify the problem.
1> do a test using a computer that is 100% work at a maximum level to ensure that the computer system and the USB port on your computer is function
If it is successful it means that your computer have a problem
-if it fails, do the next process
2> use the usb wire that is 100% working. Then connect to your computer
3> if you have to change the usb wire but it still does not work

Borrow or buy a multi-meter, to measure the voltage and amperage output of the power-supply that connects to the enclosure.

Search on eBay for a replacement power-supply -- enter the product-ID that is on the label of the power-adapter.

Try this:

1. Plug Maxtor External Hard Drive into your computer
2. Go To Computer
3. Right click on the Drive
4. Click Properties
5. Go To Tools
6. Run an Error Check.

That should help, if not let me know so we can proceed with something else

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4247716-usb_device

Go there FIRST

If after trying the suggestion you still have no luck the chances are that the device is dead or dying

You might have better luck by looking on eBay (and/or Craigs List)
for 'MAXTOR' and '80GB' disk-drives.

> replaced the usb card ..

Did you mean "replaced the USB cable" ??

Borrow a "multimeter", and check that the power-supply for the external drive is putting-out the correct voltage/amperage.

Try disassembling the external drive, and connecting the disk-drive as a "slave" drive in a desktop computer, to see if the disk-drive itself is OK,
i.e., the USB-to-disk-drive interface inside the casing might have failed, but your "data" could be OK.

It's possible that you're correct.

However, finding a Maxtor drive with an identical PCB is not going to be easy. Once you do, you can disconnect the "spinning" part of the disk-drive away from the PCB, and then swap PCB, and see if you can then QUICKLY(!) copy all 80GB to a "new" disk-drive.

If the light is indicating "no power", then it won't be recognized.

Borrow a "multimeter", and check that the power-supply for the external drive is putting-out the correct voltage/amperage.

Try disassembling the external drive, and connecting the disk-drive as a "slave" drive in a desktop computer, to see if the disk-drive itself is OK.

Try a different "data" cable between your computer and the external disk-drive.

If there is an external power-supply, borrow a "multimeter", and test that the power-supply is supplying power (correct voltage and correct amperage).

Try connecting it to another computer.

Disassemble it, and disconnect the disk-drive from the USB-to-disk-drive adapter. Connect the disk-drive as a "slave" disk-drive in a desktop computer, and see if the disk is working.

If it still is under warranty, either your local retail store, or Maxtor/Seagate will honour the warranty, and replace it.

you can open your external drive and connect it directly to your computers IDE/SATA connectors and get in contact with the drive.
This only helps if the external drives circuit board is malfunktioning
and the drive itself is intact.
Its worth trying!!! if this helped, Please vote!