I had this same problem. The solution is to unplug it from your UPS and plug it directly into the power outlet. I know this sounds crazy but afte 1.5 hours on the phone with WD tech support I finally got to a top level tech and he said this is a common problem. They just don't work consistantly when plugged into a UPS.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/120738767650?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 AU $8.40 Buy it Now + postage AU $0.96 you could get this on Ebay if you dont have an account you will need to create one https://scgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?RegisterEnterInfo Add Email adress Add Bank Acc Add Credit Card also add your postal adress also add a paypal account On Ebay summary page you will see on left a paypal link When you get to the paypal login page at the bottom you will see new to paypal sign up tab Paypal to create an account Paypal registration password ,bank card /credit card,phone numbers home/mobile ,email adress and a postal adress be very specific when you type in the search Always ask questions ? Before you make a purchase and keep the email /s for security reasons if the item arrives and its not as described. You will even see the pictures of your item so you cant make a mistake and get them home delivered. or you might be able to find one closer for local pick up USB 2.0 To SATA IDE 3.5 2.5 Hard Drive with an Adapter Cable http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE8t5IGr0e4http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-2-0-to-SATA-IDE-2-5-3-5-Hard-Drive-HDD-Adapter-/330612048804?pt=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item4cfa0383a4 USB 2.0 to SATA IDE 2.5 3.5 Hard Drive HDD Adapter Kit AU $7.46 free postage worldwide You would have to remove the hard drive and use a usb sata ide kit you will then have to connect it to your computer using a usb port Once connected to another computer to a usb port and power supply you should get a message found new hardware and it should install the drivers it should show on your computer or you might have to install it manually click start click on computer to open you should see this drive If you dont. Click start control panel administrative tools computer management device manager scroll down universal serial bus controllers you could see a Yellow Question / Exclamation Mark? ! or a Red X you will need to update/reinstall drivers right click to reinstall drivers. If you can see your usb drive but its not working ports (com&lpt) right click update driver Once you see this drive just click on it to open and copy all or any data you want and save it to another usb drive hope this helps
You should not even try to install an operating system on an external drive. Windows looks at the "C" drive and installs programs to "C" drive. You are trying to put it on the "G" drive. You will have too many problems and wish you never had tried. Buy a larger main drive and partition it with two equal partitions. Then "Dual Boot". You will find how to do this on the internet. Just Google "Dual Booting".
The hard disk is having bad sectors on its first 3000 sectors.the bad sectors are caused by degradation of the platter of the hard disk.OR the factory area of the hard disk has certain files called SMART, G -LIST and other log files.Unless one empties those log files with a good tool , one cant format ones hard disk.
This is likely a couple problems;
1. The hard drive is dying or is dead. You're looking at hardware recovery if this is the case. There are some tools such as Spinrite that might be able to recover the disk. (GRCHard drive data recovery software)
2. The power supply on the computer/laptop is not functioning as well as it used to. Try using another PC to see if there's any difference in results.
Remove the drive from the external case it is in and connect directly to your computer - see if the bios recognizes it. If so, the OS will do so also and you can access it. Also means the electronics of the external case are no good. If not recognized in other machine, the hard drive has gone to hard drive heaven and needs to be replaced.
