I have had my Western Digital passport external drive for over 3 years now and haven't had any trouble accessing files from it. However a couple of weeks ago, my computer stop recognizing this drive, even though there's power going to the drive. I've tried connecting it to different computers using different USB cables and they don't recognize it either. Can anyone help?
You've tried different USB cables; so, that cannot be the problem.
You've tried connecting to different computers; so, the problem is _not_ your computer.
What's left is "inside" the case:
* the USB-to-disk-drive adapter,
* the disk-drive.
Open the case, and remove the disk-drive, and connect it as a "slave" drive to some computer.
If it is detected, then the USB-to-disk-drive adapter that has failed.
If it not detected, then the disk-drive itself has failed.
FInd the serial-number on the Western Digital disk-drive, and enter it onto Western Digital's web-site, on the "check-warranty" page. If it's older than 3 years, the warranty probably has expired, unless you were "lucky" and got a 5-year warranty.
Western Digital has a "Customer Loyalty" program -- just buy a new Passport through their web-site, and cite the serial-number, and you'll get a significant discount on _their_ price (could be higher than your local retail computer-store) for a new (probably larger) Passport.
SOURCE: My PC is not recognizing my WD Passport 120GB USB external drive.
These WD Passport external drives are junk. This happened to two of mine, switched to Maxtor.
SOURCE: My PC is not recognizing my WD Passport 120GB USB external drive.
Does you drive make any sounds like these?
If yes you have a mechanical problem and you should get a specialist to work on it.
If not - try to remove the drive from the enclosure and connect it directly to the computer to recover your files.
SOURCE: My PC is not recognizing my WD Passport 120GB USB external drive.
I had the same issue. Its not a power issue because it shows up in device manager. Heres what I did.
Right-click on my computer and click Manage>Disk Management
Your drive should show up there. Right-click on it. If explore is not grayed out, assign a drive letter to it and you should then be bale to see it in my computer.
In my case explore was grayed out. I had to click on the option to format the drive. After re-formatting the passport explore was available. I then assigned a drive letter to it and I have access again.
I guess somehow using it on multiple computers srcewed up the file-system on it. I was using it between windows and linux.
This fixed my problem.
SOURCE: WD Passport 250GB External cannot be recognized.
Go to BIOS (Press DEL or F2 to enter BIOS). Check if the Power state is in S1. Ensure that USB setting is in Hi-Speed.
Restart the computer and try using the device. this should fix.
Let us know the result.
Thanx
SOURCE: western digital passport 160gb external ( device not recognize
As you did not specify 2.5" or 3.5" I will give you both sets of steps:
If it is a full sized hard drive and requires power, it may not be getting enough power, have the AC adapter tested at a computer shop. If it is dead/dying replace it, if not move onto the next step.
Try a new usb cable, also available at most computer shops. If the new cable works at the shop try your old cable as well. If the old one doesn't work, buy the new cable, problem solved if it does work the problem is either in the caddy or your computer.
Assuming it's in the caddy, now have the people at the shop swap the HDD from your shell into a new one and test the drive again, as with the above if it works you're done. If it doesn't the problem is internal to the actual HDD. Time to buy a new external drive and send the old one for recovery if it has any crucial data on it.
Let me know how you make out and if needed I will provide additional steps. Also if you need data recovery help let me know your region and city and I will recommend an appropriate facility.
Chris
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