External HDD question

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This is so silly it is embarrassing to ask. I have two external HDD for backups, and for photos. I wanted to reaarrange them so I ejected them and unpolugged them. Once unplugged, I could not get the micro USB cable back in to the drives! Either one. I don’t get it. I just don’t remember what it was like when I brought them home, but it seems like I just opened them and plugged them in. All of sudden, no can do. Why not? Anyone?

TIA
Joel

Joel

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I hate the micro USB connector. I am constantly having problems with mine. I have a phone and nook, both with these connectors. I hate them. They do plug in if you are careful to do so. On my Ext USB HD, I always leave the micro USB end plugged in to the HD and remove the regular USB end from the PC, otherwise I would have a problem with that as well.

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It shouldn’t be an issue…unless it’s been damaged at some point.
I have 4 of these high capacity micro drive for backup and they are potentially very easy to damage if one is not careful.
Keyword here is patience and gentle handling.

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Thanks guys. I finally went back to them a day or so later, and what do you know. they went in easy as can be! I don’t understand it, and I still feel awfully silly for even having asked. but it seems that if you wait a bit, and have the patience to do so, it sort of “comes back” if that makes any sense. No matter how careful I was, or which way I tried, the outlet or rather input, was just closed. Then it came open I suppose. I’m not even going to question it. It worked. That’s that.

Thanks again!
Joel

Joel

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Do make sure that it’s the right way around. I’ve had times where the inside connector has got bent from (me!) pushing it too hard the wrong way. Put my glasses on, use a fine tool to bend it (carefully!) back and all is well.

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I have a Seagate 250gb external drive that I decided to reformat to get rid of software that came with it, something I usually do but kinda let it slide. Anyway I ran the format and it was set on a quick format so I just left it. Long story short it said format was successful but when I attempted to use it the Drive needs format window popped up so I tried a number of times and could not get-er-done.

I then popped it in my XP-PC and it took 20 minutes or so but it formatted and then I did a Macrium imaging thing and all appears OK. The drive had been acting a tad twitchy and I thought it was loose USB connector/port etc. I ordered a new 7 port USB hub and that did not help. When formatting with Windows 7 I was using a small USB extension cord plugged into PC but with XP I plugged into PC with regular cord that came with the drive. If you’re still following all this I commend your patience.

I also ordered a new Toshiba 750gb drive cause I have no patience but as usual curious for ideas.

One last thing:
External USB Hard Drive preventing boot up, If I forget that it’s plugged in when booting up in morning she just hangs up and as soon as I unplug it she fires right up. I’ve herd that going into Bios and changing settings there might help but being a Bios coward have not entered in yet. I could wander forever lost in there.

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Lost in the Bios? I guess some folks could get lost in a phone booth:rolleyes: (just kidding!)

The bios’s in most brand name computers are very short and simple, with the Boot order very well displayed….. not so much the ones that come with replacement motherboards like Asus, Biostar or MSI. But still the boot order is pretty straight forward.

Anyway, when you boot up your PC, the motherboard (bios) will scan all the ports on the computer, for possible drives to boot from. If it sees a drive, like a USB drive, or even a USB port on a printer that’s turned on, it will attempt to examine that port for a possible boot drive. This quirk can cause the boot to hang, for a while or even forever.
I cannot boot my PC with my Epson CX6000 powered up. (it has both a USB port and several Flash Memory Card slots on it) Connected=OK, Powered up=NO

An SD Flash memory card in my card reader will also cause my boot process to hang.
My PC with an MSI mobo, will actually boot from an SD card, if it’s formatted and bootable.

It’s just little quirks like this that can totally discombobulate a nube, but the more experienced user will just take them in stride. (maybe——eventually):rolleyes:

Good Luck to you,
The Doctor

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