USB to external SATA drive problem - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

braisler · 09-04-2009, 03:09 PM

Ok folks. I could use some help here. I'm feeling like a bit of a tech idiot.

I bought a Rosewill external dock that allows you mount any SATA drive up to 2TB and connect it to your system via USB 2.0. At the same time, I bought a 1TB Samsung 3.5" SATA drive. They were actually bundled together from NewEgg.

So, everything is supposed to be plug and play. I powered the dock, plugged it to USB and docked the drive. The computer says, USB mass storage device found, then Samsung (some model number) found, and finally your hardware is ready to use. All familiar, all ready to go, right?

Yeah, except... there is no drive in My Computer, File Explorer, nothing. It is like the drive is mounted, but it isn't. I can't get to it, can't use it.

What am I missing? Something to do with assigning a drive letter? Somebody out there has got to know the answer to this.

Oh, and I did try the drive in another USB external enclosure to the same result.

biznatch · 09-04-2009, 08:01 PM

Look for an option to format it. Go to Disk Management, see if it finds anything.

LordEden · 09-04-2009, 08:04 PM

Like biz said, go to disk management. In xp it is in control panel under administrative tools. Go to computer management. At the bottom of the left toolbar, you will see disk management. See if there is any disk drives without drive letters. Sometimes windows gets confused about what letter the drive should be, especially if you have a internal card reader.

braisler · 09-05-2009, 05:50 AM

Bingo! That's got it guys. Thanks so much for your help.

Late last night, I was thinking that it might be something to do with the new HD not being formatted. I'm glad to learn that can be accomplished via USB connection.

Thanks again!

Lasereth · 09-05-2009, 06:58 AM

Yeah that drive letter problem happens all the damn time at work. It can get REALLY messy if the person has 3 different thumb drives.

09-04-2009, 03:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY Blog Entries: 3	USB to external SATA drive problem Ok folks. I could use some help here. I'm feeling like a bit of a tech idiot. I bought a Rosewill external dock that allows you mount any SATA drive up to 2TB and connect it to your system via USB 2.0. At the same time, I bought a 1TB Samsung 3.5" SATA drive. They were actually bundled together from NewEgg. So, everything is supposed to be plug and play. I powered the dock, plugged it to USB and docked the drive. The computer says, USB mass storage device found, then Samsung (some model number) found, and finally your hardware is ready to use. All familiar, all ready to go, right? Yeah, except... there is no drive in My Computer, File Explorer, nothing. It is like the drive is mounted, but it isn't. I can't get to it, can't use it. What am I missing? Something to do with assigning a drive letter? Somebody out there has got to know the answer to this. Oh, and I did try the drive in another USB external enclosure to the same result. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---

09-04-2009, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
biznatch Junkie Location: NY Blog Entries: 1	Look for an option to format it. Go to Disk Management, see if it finds anything. __________________ Check it out: The Open Source/Freeware/Gratis Software Thread

09-04-2009, 08:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
LordEden World's Tallest Hobbit Location: Catfish, NC Blog Entries: 19	Like biz said, go to disk management. In xp it is in control panel under administrative tools. Go to computer management. At the bottom of the left toolbar, you will see disk management. See if there is any disk drives without drive letters. Sometimes windows gets confused about what letter the drive should be, especially if you have a internal card reader. __________________ "In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labour. In this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst is only a sour look or two at choking? No, a merry life and a short one shall be my motto." - Bartholomew Roberts

09-05-2009, 06:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Yeah that drive letter problem happens all the damn time at work. It can get REALLY messy if the person has 3 different thumb drives. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-05-2009, 05:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY Blog Entries: 3	Bingo! That's got it guys. Thanks so much for your help. Late last night, I was thinking that it might be something to do with the new HD not being formatted. I'm glad to learn that can be accomplished via USB connection. Thanks again!