Problems with Freecom USB drive

50Twuncle

I am trying to install an old Freecom USB hard disk on my Windows 7 (64 bit) PC - The drive used to work on my last Windows XP PC - I can't even see the drive in Device Manager (hidden drives shown)
Any suggestions ?

grimsalve

Are there any exclamation marks in the device manager? If your PC can see the device but doesn't recognise it then you'll need to install a driver for it). If it doesn't even see it as an unknown device then it could possibly be a problem with the usb port on the PC.

50Twuncle

grimsalve wrote: »

Are there any exclamation marks in the device manager? If your PC can see the device but doesn't recognise it then you'll need to install a driver for it). If it doesn't even see it as an unknown device then it could possibly be a problem with the usb port on the PC.

No - absolutely nothing
The Port itself is fine (other devices run when plugged into it)
I am starting to wonder whether the H/W is still OK - It doesn't "whirrrr" when plugged in

grimsalve

21Twinkle wrote: »

No - absolutely nothing
The Port itself is fine (other devices run when plugged into it)
I am starting to wonder whether the H/W is still OK - It doesn't "whirrrr" when plugged in

Do you still have your old PC to test it on?

50Twuncle

grimsalve wrote: »

Do you still have your old PC to test it on?

No - that went to the great graveyard 2 years ago
I am emailing Freecom to see if I need drivers

culpepper

Does the hard drive have a light? If it isnt lighting up ,it could be that the fuse has gone in the plug of the power supply.
Did you remember to switch the drive on if it has an on off switch? My freecom drive has a switch but my newer external drive does not.
Can you try with a different usb cable in case it is the cable that has died?
We have several external drives and none need drivers even on windows 7.

Inactive

culpepper wrote: »

Does the hard drive have a light? If it isnt lighting up ,it could be that the fuse has gone in the plug of the power supply.
Did you remember to switch the drive on if it has an on off switch? My freecom drive has a switch but my newer external drive does not.
Can you try with a different usb cable in case it is the cable that has died?
We have several external drives and none need drivers even on windows 7.

Same here, I have a Freecom HD as well, the light on mine is at the top/rear, so not obvious in all locations.

My bet is it isn't switched on.;)

50Twuncle

Inactive wrote: »

Same here, I have a Freecom HD as well, the light on mine is at the top/rear, so not obvious in all locations.

My bet is it isn't switched on.;)

It is switched on and the blue light is on - but the drive appears to be dead as a dodo - nothing shown in device manager either ....

UPDATE - replaced USB cable and PC now "sees" drive as a 3.35Gb "Cypress semi" usb device !!
It wants to format it to allow use !!

culpepper

Can you see it in 'my computer'? if you can ,you might not need to format it.
Sometimes just unplugging and reconnecting the usb cable will let it be 'seen'.
If not and if you have stuff on it that you want,try downloading a linux live CD,booting from the cd and then 'looking' for the usb drive from within linux. It might let you see it and drag the files off onto another CD or harddrive or pendrive.
I recommend puppy linux as it is quite easy to get to grips with.
If you just want to use the usb hard drive from scratch again, then formatting it would allow you to.