The green light on my maxtor external 80gb harddrive comes on as usual, then the orange light comes on now and my computer does not recognize it at all (Windows XP). It's been working fine for maybe 5 years... Now I'm afraid I need to try and do a data recovery.

click start control panel administration tools computer management device manager look through all of your devices if you see a yellow question mark?or exclamation mark ! or red x
right click to reinstall drivers or

if you can see your usb but its not working
ports(com&lpt)right click update driver

sometimes the wires inside the cable will be damaged due to bending or stretching or placing heavy equipment upon the cable

just replace the cable of the hard disk, when you plugged the external disk drive you got that windows could recognize the USB device change the cable everything should work fine again,

check the USB leads that attach to the motherboard usually red-white-green-black make sure they are securely seated and have no dust build up on them dust will cause static and a lot of unforeseen problems

if this fails to fix the problem
you might have to install a usb 2 or 3 card they are cheap and easy to install you can buy these on Ebay very cheap
hope this helps

click start control panel administration tools computer management device manager look through all of your devices if you see a yellow question mark?or exclamation mark ! or red x
right click to reinstall drivers or

if you can see your usb but its not working
ports(com&lpt)right click update driver

sometimes the wires inside the cable will be damaged due to bending or stretching or placing heavy equipment upon the cable

just replace the cable of the hard disk, when you plugged the external disk drive you got that windows could recognize the USB device change the cable everything should work fine again,

check the USB leads that attach to the motherboard usually red-white-green-black make sure they are securely seated and have no dust build up on them dust will cause static and a lot of unforeseen problems

if this fails to fix the problem
you might have to install a usb 2 or 3 card they are cheap and easy to install you can buy these on Ebay very cheap

hope this helps you

You could try using another USB port on your computer. Perhaps that USB port you have the IOmega external harddrive plugged into is bad.

More than likely not, though.

The problem is usually inside the IOmega's case. (External enclosure)

Inside that IOmega external harddrive's case is a regular harddrive as used in a desktop, or laptop computer.
To explain;

Harddrives are physically rated in width, as well as type, and size.
A laptop harddrive is 2.5 inches across in width. (2 and a half inches)
A desktop harddrive is 3.5 inches.

The larger desktop harddrives are usually used in external harddrives that are 500GB, and larger.
(Not always the case when it comes to the 500GB size)

Harddrives have two technologies, or types.
IDE (PATA) or SATA.

You didn't state the Model Number so I can't even hazard a guess at this point.

The harddrive inside the case plugs into an Interface.
The Interface may be separate, and connected via a cable to a small circuit board, or the Interface may be soldered directly to the small circuit board.

It is this Interface, and circuit board which go bad.
The solution is to remove the harddrive inside, purchase an inexpensive external enclosure, and install the harddrive into it.

The external enclosure has a USB cable just like the IOmega external harddrive did.

As stated the harddrive inside is just a normal harddrive. Made by a harddrive manufacturer.
Could be a Western Digital, or Seagate, or Hitachi, or Maxtor, or Fujitsu, or IBM, just to name a few.
(Seagate bought out Maxtor)

On the harddrive will be a decal with it's specifications.
You will also be able to physically measure the width.

This external hookup will support harddrives that are 2.5, or 3.5 inches in width, (And 5.25), plus will support both IDE (PATA) or SATA harddrives,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7220658&CatId=3770

This external enclosure is for a desktop sized harddrive, 3.5 inches, and will support either IDE (PATA) or SATA harddrives,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1951866&CatId=2780

This external enclosure example is for laptop sized harddrives, 2.5 inches, and will support either IDE, (PATA), or SATA harddrives,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7041055&CatId=2783

Just one example of how to disassemble an IOmega Select Portable harddrive,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvUvz5Qb4vw

Other styles are listed in the Suggestions column down on the right.
Not a good source for information on disassembling an IOmega external harddrive, but there is very little info available.

(It isn't that tough for any external harddrive enclosure. The screws are usually hidden under labels, and the case pops apart in two halves. Just a little different design here, and there)

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

hi hazel.
see if this link helps you out.
laptop is no longer recognizing the Buffalo External Hard Drive Google...

First make sure usb cable connected to harddrive is working fine.
try it in different usb ports.
Press windows key +R key so you can see run then type in run "devmgmt.msc" then press ok so you can see device manager uninstall all usb drivers then it automatic install usb drivers.
then check.
Also you need to change registry for that type in run "regedit" then press ok then you can see registry editor then locate below key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11­CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
And remove upper filter and lower filter.Then restart computer then check.
If your harddrive still not recognized then you need to repair your harddrive.Try your harddrive in different computer if it is not recognized on another computer then your harddrive has internal issue.

Let me know if you need further assistance.
Thanks for using FixYa

This could be an issue with the circuit board.I am facing a similar problem & shown it for repairing. And facing issue in sourcing the IC. Seagate is giving support for maxtor after it has taken over. Data recovery is possible only if the circuit is working.

What is your operating system? Have you tried to force install this hardware? I need to know this before I can begin to troubleshoot.

Ryan Frame
Creative Energy Associates Technical Center

There's a good chance the shop you bought the drive from didn't have SP3 installed. For some reason, SP3 has an issue with USB peripheral devices. Windows has created a patch to rectify the problem. Click on the link below and install the "Fixit" patch to enable your PC to recognize your HD. Best of luck.
Greg
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196#fixit4me

Please Make sure you External Hard disk USB cable is working correctly. Your cable is probably having partial contact, so try another cable

Hi,

The USB Isn,t supplying/providing enough Power to the device.
Search e-bay or similar for a 2 into 1 USB Cable.
Then power the unit with 2 USB Ports on the Computer.
2 x USB Into 2 x Sockets On P.C. 1 x Into Device Drive.
This will be enough power to operate the Device Correctly.

I,ve done this on several external Drives, never failed for Me.

Mike @ compurepair.