My two usb ports have moved towards inside of computer . i tried to disemble the computer without sucess. all srews battery, harddrive have been taken out. what else must i do to remove back cover

• Check the orientation of the batteries inside the keyboard and mouse, or replace the batteries.
• Is the USB receiver securely plugged into a computer USB port? Try moving the USB receiver to a USB port closer to the keyboard and mouse.
• If the USB receiver is plugged into a USB hub, try plugging it directly into your computer.
• Remove any metal object between the receiver and the keyboard/mouse that may interfere with reception. Try using the mouse on a different surface.
• Restart the computer.
• If these suggestions don't work, download the Reconnection Utility from http://www.logitech.com/connect_utility.

The general directions is to plug the USB cable from the IOmega Prestige into any available (Open) USB port.

To open, (Access) the contents on the harddrive, double-click on the drive letter that corresponds with the IOmega.

In WinXP left-click on Start, then on My Computer.
In Win Vista and Win7 left-click on the Windows logo button, then on Computer.

You will see there are different drive letters;

Drive A: is reserved for a Floppy Drive. Older computers
Drive C: is for the Harddrive. (Hard Disk)
Drive D: is reserved for a recovery drive, or an optical drive (CD/DVD drive)
Drive E: is reserved for an optical drive, usually.

Drive letters beyond these are usually under the heading, Devices with Removable Storage

One of these drive letters should correspond with the IOmega.

Suggest, IOmega not plugged in, go to My Computer, or Computer, and look at the devices connected to the various drive letters.

Now plug the IOmega in, and see if it shows up next to a drive letter.
(Give the computer BIOS a few seconds)

Where there was NO device shown BEFORE, there should now be a device shown.
{No device shown before, but now there is. May not state IOmega, just external storage, or similar}

DOUBLE-click on the device shown.

For example:

I have drive letters C: D: E: F: G: H: I: J: and K:

Drive letter C: is for my harddrive.
Drive letter D: is for a recovery drive. (Partition in harddrive reserved for recovery)
Drive letter E: is for an optical drive (CD/DVD drive)

Drive letters F through K are reserved for an external storage device.
Whether it be an external harddrive, or flashdrive, or what have you.

IF you find the drive letter that corresponds with the IOmega DOUBLE-click right on it.
If nothing happens, or if there is no device shown when the IOmega is plugged in, there is a problem with the IOmega.

Hard to believe IOmega is still having problems with their external harddrives.

In the past they were having problems with a small circuit board located inside the IOmega's case.

[ A circuit board is a PCB.
Printed Circuit Board

For example a computer mouse has a small PCB in it,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse_printed_circuit_board_both_sides_IMG_0959a.JPG ]

The small circuit board is an Interface Board.

It connects the harddrive inside the IOmega's plastic case, to a USB cable, and this allows the harddrive inside to be plugged into a USB port on a computer.

As mentioned inside the plastic outer case (External enclosure) of the IOmega is a harddrive.
(Hard Disk drive; proper speak)

Harddrives are measure across their Width. There are two current types used;
A laptop size harddrive, and a desktop size harddrive.

A Laptop size harddrive is 2.5 inches across in width. (2 and a half inches, or 6.4cm)
A Desktop size harddrive is 3.5 inches across in width. (Or 8.9cm)

There are two technologies used;
IDE (PATA) or SATA

I'm sure the harddrive inside susanbrenton is a SATA unit.
I BELIEVE, it is a laptop size harddrive (2.5)

Point?

If there is data (Information) on the IOmega that you must have, you may wish to buy an inexpensive external enclosure, remove the harddrive from the IOmega, and install it into the external enclosure.

The external enclosure has a plastic case (Enclosure), and a small circuit board inside. It has a USB cable, or connector, just like the IOmega does.

Once you install the IOmega harddrive inside the case, the case is closed, and it's USB cable is plugged into a computer.
(Just like the IOmega. You are just replacing the small circuit board essentially)

Once you have the IOmega's case open, and can view the internal harddrive, measure the width of the harddrive.
Buy the appropriate external enclosure.

This is one example of an external enclosure for a 2.5 SATA harddrive,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3195233&CatId=2783

This is one example of a external enclosure for a 3.5 SATA harddrive,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2145406&CatId=2780

Basic instructions on how to open an IOmega Prestige external enclosure (Case):

1) There are two Philips head screws on the Back of the case.
These are removed.
Once removed a the oblong panel on the end comes off.

2) You can now see the harddrive inside. Pull from the Front, and remove the harddrive out of the case.

3) The harddrive is attached with screws to a metal carrier. (Bracket, essentially)
Remove the screws, remove the harddrive.

Basic example, the harddrive will look like this,

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=0A26923-NDW-R&cat=HDD


For additional questions please post in a Comment, (Believe upper right of your page)

Regards,
joecoolvette

is the scratchy sound coming from inside your lacie or outside ??

it might be a power problem trying to connect to your lacie but unable to find the device or a dirty hard drive the reader arm skipping across the platters you could give your lacie a firm tap on the side to free up the reader arm

click start control panel administrive 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 also make sure the computers Ram and Cmos battery are securely seated
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 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

• Put in the batteries Find the battery covers and slides it off. Insert the appropriate batteries. The wireless receiver that plugs into the computer runs off the computer's power and needs no batteries.
• Plug in the receiver to the computer. Usually the receiver will plug into the USB port, but some plug into the mouse port. If all of your USB ports are filled, see if the mouse came with a USB adapter. The adapter fits into the mouse port. Be careful not to accidentally force the mouse adapter into the keyboard port.
• Connect the mouse once you have it plugged in. The receiver should have a visible button that is easily push able by the average human finger. The mouse will usually have a very small hole with a button inside it that can only be pushed by something like a pencil or paper clip. Push both buttons at the same time with the receiver and the mouse relatively close to each other for about 5 seconds or more.
• Position the receiver in a place that isn't far away from the mouse. Depending on where you are, you can place it on the monitor, on the tower, on the back of your laptop (if you are installing the mouse to your laptop) or on the desk. The furthest a wireless mouse can get away from the receiver without working very well is about 9 feet (2.7 meters), so keep that in mind.
• Test your new mouse.

?· If you plugged into the mouse port, restart your computer manually.

?· If you plugged it into the USB port you may begin using it.

?· When the cursor moves when you move the mouse, you have connected the mouse properly. If the cursor doesn't move, try repositioning the receiver. If it still doesn't work, you may need to restart your computer (if you haven

1. Put in the batteries Find the battery cover and slide it off. Insert the appropriate batteries. The wireless receiver that plugs into the computer runs off the computer's power and needs no batteries.

2. Plug in the receiver to the computer. Usually the receiver will plug into the USB port, but some plug into the mouse port. If all of your USB ports are filled, see if the mouse came with a USB adapter. The adapter fits into the mouse port. Be careful not to accidentally force the mouse adapter into the keyboard port.

3. Connect the mouse once you have it plugged in. The receiver should have a visible button that is easily pushable by the average human finger. The mouse will usually have a very small hole with a button inside it that can only be pushed by something like a pencil or paper clip. Push both buttons at the same time with the receiver and the mouse relatively close to each other for about 5 seconds or more.

4. Position the receiver in a place that isn't far away from the mouse. Depending on where you are, you can place it on the monitor, on the tower, on the back of your laptop (if you are installing the mouse to your laptop) or on the desk. The furthest a wireless mouse can get away from the receiver without not working very well is about 9 feet (2.7 meters), so keep that in mind.

5. Test your new mouse.
- If you plugged into the mouse port, restart your computer manually.
- If you plugged it into the USB port you may begin using it.
- When the cursor moves when you move the mouse, you have connected the mouse properly. If the cursor doesn't move, try repositioning the receiver. If it still doesn't work, you may need to restart your computer (if you haven't already) or reconnect everything.

Hope this help. Goodluck!

1) Power:

It may be the problem that occurs with a lot of USB powered devices jrherrer. Not enough power provided.

The USB cable plugged into the computer, provides signal wires for transferring information back, and forth, and also provides 5 Volts DC for power. (Two D cell flashlight batteries produce 3 Volts DC)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB

[ Below shows the Signal pins, and the Voltage pins of the USB B Mini style connector, (Male), used to connect to the SimpleDrive Mini external harddrive,

Pin 1 is for the 5 Volts DC Positive (Wire color - Red)
Pin 2 is for the D- Signal (Wire color - White)
Pin 3 is for the D+ Signal (Wire color - Green)
Pin 4 is not connected. (Or sometimes joined to Pin 5 with a Resistor)
Pin 5 is for the Ground (Wire color - Black)

Just added info in case you wanted to know ]

From what I see the SDM/250RW has a USB port on the side, and a DC Power Jack, used for an AC adapter, also.
(Round port with a pin in the center)

http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/0C876B7AB91B23988825773F006BEA02/$file/SD_Mini_DS_final.pdf


From what I see stated from Hitachi, and sellers on the 'net, the AC adapter may not be provided.
Many of those who provide a review state that both the USB cable, and the AC adapter is needed to provide enough power. Seems to be a power hungry external harddrive

It's a 2.5 Hitachi SATA laptop harddrive inside that external case. (The Harddrive is 2 and a half inches across in Width. Common size used for laptops)

When using an external device powered by a USB cable there are general guidelines to follow,
A) The USB cable should not be more than 2 feet in length
B) Connect the device directly to your computer, instead of through a hub, or other device, unless the USB hub has it's own power.


2) USB cable:

Could be a faulty USB cable, although I imagine you have tried different ones by now.


3) Interface Circuit Board:

The Hitachi SATA 2.5 harddrive inside the SImpleDrive Mini SDM/250RW, plugs into a small circuit board located inside that external case.

Components on the circuit board may be fried, or the Harddrive may have come loose from the interface.

Loose from the interface
To explain;
The back of the harddrive has connector pins sticking out.
The interface has socket holes which the pins insert into.

Faulty circuit board
The external case of the SimpleDrive Mini SDM/250RW can be carefully opened up, and the Hitachi SATA 2.5 harddrive extracted out.

Another inexpensive external case for a 2.5 SATA harddrive can be procured, and the Hitachi harddrive put in it.

Example of a 2.5 SATA external enclosure,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3743049&CatId=2781

1.Put in the batteries Find the battery cover and slide it off. Insert the appropriate batteries.

2.Plug in the receiver to the computer. Usually the receiver will plug into the USB port, but some plug into the mouse port. If all of your USB ports are filled, see if the mouse came with a USB adapter. The adapter fits into the mouse port. Be careful not to accidentally force the mouse adapter into the keyboard port.

3.Connect the mouse once you have it plugged in. The receiver should have a visible button that is easily pushable by the average human finger. The mouse will usually have a very small hole with a button inside it that can only be pushed by something like a pencil or paper clip. Push both buttons at the same time with the receiver and the mouse relatively close to each other for about 5 seconds or more.

4.Position the receiver in a place that isn't far away from the mouse. Depending on where you are, you can place it on the monitor, on the tower, on the back of your laptop (if you are installing the mouse to your laptop) or on the desk. The furthest a wireless mouse can get away from the receiver without not working very well is about 9 feet (2.7 meters), so keep that in mind.

5.Test your new mouse.

* If you plugged into the mouse port, restart your computer manually.
* If you plugged it into the USB port you may begin using it.
* When the cursor moves when you move the mouse, you have connected the mouse properly. If the cursor doesn't move, try repositioning the receiver. If it still doesn't work, you may need to restart your computer (if you haven't already) or reconnect everything.

This should help you to fix the problem.

Reformatting will be our last option and there are a number of steps that you can try to fix this.

• Try plugging it in on a different USB port
• Check the USB cable, try replacing it and see if it works
• USB ports on your computer makes use of power, so if you have multiple USB devices plugged in, the portable hard drive might not be receiving enough power. Try plugging it in without your other USB devices, except the mouse of course

Please leave me a comment for this.

• 
  

The light flashing when wiggled sounds like your USB connection is intermittent, and your key is made unusable (as if you had pulled it without stopping first) until you reformat it. Try it in another USB port. See if you can tell whether it is the computer side or the key side that is flaky. Could be at the port inside the computer case. Fix or replace whichever is bad.