Verbatim drive regularly does not show up as available. I have to unplug it and try to get it to reset. do you know how to fix?

Refer the user manual at this site for procedure to factory reset. You could loose all the data on the drive. Check the instructions carefully.

http://www.verbatim.com/includes/binary_details.php3?show=1&id=1006

I would like to give you some solution steps. However you haven't indicate your Operating System. So please let me know the operating system (XP, Vista etc)

The only information that I could find is HERE.
A video illustrating how to disassemble that drive is HERE.
I ran across THIS VIDEO that shows an easier way, but it is a different brand. It's worth checking to see if your Verbatim is set up the same way, usually these manufacturers all build the same way.
The second video (link posted above) shows a guy using a credit card to remove the cover, so it's simple. Just remove the cover and you can better see the situation.
Evidently Verbatim uses retail hard drives in their own plastic case. These drives have a small USB converter circuit board that plugs into the rear of the SATA hard drive and that is what you attach the USB cable to. It may be that only the mounting studs popped out and shoved the USB connector back in to the housing and it will still work. Once you get it open, connect it to the cable and try to make it work and you can get your data off of it. Another option is that these universal connectors are available. Try Newegg.com, or definitely try Ebay, there are lots of suppliers for that kind of equipment, I use several suppliers on Ebay all the time for repairs.
Hopefully the read/write heads were not physically damaged when it fell, but you won't know that until you try to start it up. If you hear a rattling, clicking noise when it tries to boot, I am afraid there are no other options.

Im not sure what computer you have, but whenever I use an external hard drive on my computer, an icon either shows up on the toolbar, I dont think in your case thats happening or you would have obviously seen it, however if you have a start or home button on your toolbar on your regular desktop location then you can click to open your computer menu e.i. control panel, word, games,...etc.. look for your "computer" file, click to open, then look for "Hard Drives" or "Devices and Storage" also check and see if anywhere in those menus if there is a "Removable Devices and Storage" tab, if you find these menus and verbatim 53018 doesnt show up in any of your menu tabs then try creating a file on your computer and saving it to your hard drive in the "Save" file location, if its connected properly then you should see a message screen that asks you which location would you like to save your file, it should list all possible storage locations and hopefully Verbatim 53018 is listed.

Hope this helps you out.

I think it could be due to virus activity. Some virus make the contents of the drive hidden, thats why user can't see the files and the space available for use is less than the capacity.
It is suggested that go to FOLDER OPTIONS - and seclect SHOW HIDDEN FILES. It may show the hidden files. Otherwise, if you dont have any vital data on the drive, just format it. Hope this would fix the issue and you would be able to enjoy the full capacity of the disk

Let me know if any further clarification is required. Hope this helps! Dont forget to rate the solution!!
CreativeTECH

use the source (pc/Mac) that created the data to remove it.
you will need to re-format to get it to work on the machine you are currently trying to use.
(personally I always remove all partitions and format to "fat" (remove factory) this will make the drive work on Mac as well as pc)

hope this helps

it is not a sofware problem... if the disk was recognized before.

try reformatting the disk and select fat32 as file system. do not chose quick format.

try again to connect to dvd player.
regards,
paolo.

try testing connection of port from usb and firewire port. it not working we need to check for possible board controller swapping if available.

Im not specifically sure what to do, but I would try reloading the Store 'n' Go application and see if it helps.... You can download it here....
http://www.verbatim.com/support/support.cfm?open=Articles

If not, try contacting Verbatim and see what they say about it. After all, it is their product... if anyone knows how to fix it they should.
Their contact info is:

Phone Support
For Technical Support
Mon - Fri 8am to 9pm (EST)
1-800-538-8589

Online Support
http://www.verbatim.com/contact-login.cfm

Hope this helps.......

please use the CD came with the drive and formate it full. Reconfigure everything so that it will show the patition that you want in the window. Do not worry 'bout the Data. you can recover all by using data recovery software available on the net. Try google serch.