20 Most Recent Maxtor Personal Storage 3100 (M01E100) 100 GB Hard Drive Questions & Answers

First off let me say that you need USB 2.0 for most external hard drives and an operating system above windows 98 to be in with a chance.

Trying to use a hard drive on USB 1.0 is like trying to push ab avalanche back up the hill

One or more of the hints below will probably sort out most USB problems with most USB portable / external hard drives and OTHER devices (though not always)

A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems (mac/ Linux) similar steps may be adapted to suit.

1. Ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability

2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer. Not all USB cables are equal even though they should be)

3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.

4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply Don’t use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating e.g. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly.

5. Always use the same port for connecting your devices. Some devices do not like being switched about. If switched they may want to install software / drivers again. This can be especially true if you move a HUB to another port
6. For FLASH DRIVES you should ensure that the device is set for "quick removal" using the drive control panel properties or use the USB "Safely Remove Hardware" option. If you don't do this there is a very strong chance that any files you transfer may not be there when you plug into another computer.

If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues then check your hardware from CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM / HARDWARE.
Any exclamation marks by hardware need fixing before you investigate any further

USB flash drives can fail for no apparent reason.
Sandisk Cruzers are especially bad for this.

USB hard drives should be treated with extreme care.
This is a real hard drive ! and knocks and bumps can quite literally kill them.

It is possible to remove drives from the enclosures in most cases and connect directly inside a PC to fully check it.
You should also do this to check the drives connections are not bad inside the enclosure

Note that if you hear a drive clicking or pinging this could be the worst thing you would hear.
Known as "The Click Of Death"

If none of the above steps help look at updating the drivers from the manufacturers web site in the support section.

crashplan.com is a popular choice

a quick observationis this laptop same computer you 'saw' ext drive with prior?might be as simple as needing the operating system driver for that maxtorgo to www.maxtor.comenter model numberget driver for operating system of your laptopsee how that helps

Go to SEAGATE website download drivers. Seagate owns MAXTOR. Also download SEATOOLS & Disc Wizard for future problems.

you may have to assign a letter to the unseen drive manually: goto start menu and right click on my computer/ select manage/ select storage/ select disk management/ check to see if the drive is there and/or has a letter assigned to it...if not right click on the drive in question and select change drive letter and paths/ then give it an unassigned letter and that should do it. if not just just text me back and w'ell investigate your power supply and/or the cable(s) and usb ports. hope this helps:)

Hi brnscarcara,
"Updating the Drivers / Software!"
"Go to this "Website!"
Fill-in necessary information.
ie: Model #, Brand, and or Operating System...
"Select the [Drivers] you need from the "List."
"Download the Drivers!"

Click here: http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&vgnextoid=ef2cfbbad0f89210VgnVCM1000001a48090aRCRD

alrighty
sounds like there is a major problem with the hardisk controller inside
did you drop it?
spill anything on it?
whack it?
it sounds like its pretty damaged to be "clicking like a clock!"

if your really desperate you can try opening it up and removing the hardrive itself and opening up your computer and connect it straight to your motherboard. with either sata cable or IDE depending on how old the drive is.
i can't guarantee that you will be able to get anything off it but its worth a shot!
then you will have to buy a new one
and this time don't abuse it! ;-)
hope this helps,ben

Are you running two different O/S on computers.?

Assuming that you are using Windows XP.

1. Ensure that your computer is turned on
2. Plug the one-pin power connector to the back of the hard disk enclosure
3. Connect the other end to the power adapter
4. Plug the power adapter into the wall outlet.
5. Plug the large end of the USB cable into an available USB port on your computer
6. Plug the smaller end of the USB cable into the USB connection on the hard disk
7. Windows should detect a "USB Mass Storage Device" and automatically install all of the necessary drivers for it (This could take as much as 2 minutes).
8. To ensure proper setup, you may have to restart your computer.

To remove the drive

1. Ensure that you aren't currently accessing any of the files that reside on the hard dis.
2. Right click on the Windows unplug or eject hardware icon in the System tray in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
3. Select to eject the disk corresponding to the external hard drive
4. Unplug the USB connector once you have been instructed to do so

The FAT format is easier to recover data from if things go wrong, but if you insist on making it NTFS, all you have to do is right click the drive, choose FORMAT and then specify NTFS as the format.
WARNING!!! This WILL ERASE all the data on the drive so back it up first!

No, windows should have seen it right off the bat.
See if the drive is showing in the device manager with an " ! " on it. if so, right click and uninstall it, then unplug and reconnect the USB cable.

i could maybe help if you can explain the problem more detailed

It's a 12volts 2Amps, + is the cenral pin, - is the outer pin,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BRMV6O/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000BZRO5I&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1PTCNTSATTKNGZP2TGJX

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Try disconnecting it shutting down your computer do a restart once your computer is up and running again plug the storage drive back in it may look for a driver for it or just start working you can check it by going to my computer left click then you will see it if it installed. If not leave plugged in and hit the power cord on the drive or unplug the drive again and back in if it will not start up it is time for a funeral for it. Last resort is go to devices see if the device is listed if so it may have a ? mark by it or a yellow symbol if this is the case insert the CD that came with it and hit update driver be sure to always check go on line as well for drivers. It is either a driver issue or a power issue or a bad storage device. John

If it's ticking, it's likely damaged. I know some hard drives have a high failure rate, and can die early.

Shut it off and unplug it from power. Let it sit for a day before trying to connect again.

Make sure you've rebooted your computer before trying it again.

Hard drives fail sometimes but so do the enclosures to - so you may still have the data.

If it does work - backup everything immediately.

If it's clicking - that's the sound of death for hds.