Installing an external hard drive

Pythagorous

so i bought an external HD to back up all my files, installed the drives via the CD, restarted the laptop, but yet no sign of the new HD when open my computer. The LED light is on and the HD is making a noise.

Any ideas?

Thanks

james99_2

is it connected via usb ?

rsykes2000

Is it PC or Mac formatted ? Might need initializing for use on a PC.

rsykes2000

Have a look at the following webpage : http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/22069.aspx and see if it applies...

Pythagorous

usb and pc. checking link now thanks.

initialising!?

rsykes2000

Pythagorous wrote: »

usb and pc. checking link now thanks.

initialising!?

If it's Mac formatted or not formatted, your PC will need to tell it to (basically) work with Windows and then format it.

If not the case and it's not showing in disk management, then try another cable and another USB port.

Pythagorous

rsykes2000 wrote: »

Have a look at the following webpage : http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/22069.aspx and see if it applies...

When i go into data management it only shows my internal HD

rsykes2000

Right, so can you try another cable ? Or the drive with the same cable on another PC ?

Pythagorous

Sorry - posted b4 seeing your post.

Ahh okay, might be getting somewhere now. used a different cable and it is now showing under my computer as a removable disk, but when I double click on it it says please insert a disk into drive E.

Still not showing in data management

Pythagorous

Actually it is showing now in data mgt. At the bottom right as Disk 1 Removeable (E). But, when I right click no option for initialising, just properties and change drive letters and path

Pythagorous

Seems to have sorted itself now. Somehow! I just tried the original lead and a different usb and voila. Flippin computers.