How to get Windows 10 to recognise my 2.5" SATA HDD connected by USB cable

thorganby

MarkBargain wrote: »

I wrote to the seller who replied that it is not compatible with Windows 10. The listing does list OSs in the detail but could have made this clearer in my opinion.

So, what would be a good replacement? A USB3 one perhaps, but my laptop has one USB3 port one side and two USB2s the other side.

It is rubbish to state that it is incompatible with WIN10, so you don't need a new adapter!

You simply need to use Disk Management to allocate a volume drive letter to the drive.






Right-click the unallocated volume.

Choose New Simple Volume from the menu.

The New Simple Volume Wizard appears.

Head_The_Ball

^^^^^^

Don't do that if you want any of the files on the disk. Using Disk Management to create new volumes or partitions will wipe the disk of all data.

If the disk is correctly formatted and properly connected via USB, then it should show up in Disk Management with details of existing partition or partitions.

Your problems appear to be the USB connection and nothing to do with Disk Management.

emptybox

It might be that the drive is just not being allocated a drive letter for some reason. If so that can be remedied in Disk Management without disrupting the existing data.
Certainly worth a look in there anyway, to see if it's recognised.

The stuff about it not being compatible with Windows 10 is just the seller trying to cover himself from being accused of selling you a load of junk.

Lorian

type

cick start button
type device manager
newline

Any devices shown with a yellow !
(when the disk is plugged in)

thorganby

Head_The_Ball wrote: »

^^^^^^

Don't do that if you want any of the files on the disk. Using Disk Management to create new volumes or partitions will wipe the disk of all data.

If the disk is correctly formatted and properly connected via USB, then it should show up in Disk Management with details of existing partition or partitions.

Your problems appear to be the USB connection and nothing to do with Disk Management.

Wrong - Ignorance is bliss!

If you don't fully understand something then it is best not to post, rather than posting what you think.

Watch and learn about "external drive not recognized"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG3Tr4r1xnI

Head_The_Ball

emptybox wrote: »

It might be that the drive is just not being allocated a drive letter for some reason. If so that can be remedied in Disk Management without disrupting the existing data.
Certainly worth a look in there anyway, to see if it's recognised..

OP, have you checked to see if the disk is visible in Disk Management? Look but I suggest that you don't touch unless you are sure that you know what you are doing.

It might be something as simple as allocating a drive letter but......

MarkBargain wrote: »

Yes, both USBs are plugged in. Holding the HDD I can hear/feel the disc spinning around when I first plug it it, a few clicks, then it goes quiet.

....from your description, there is likely to be some issue with the disk or the cable.

Unless you are comfortable using Disk Management and know what you are doing, my advice is to sort out the USB connection problem first.

Don't start creating new volumes or partitions without knowing the consequences as you risk losing the files.

Do you have or can you borrow a proper caddy that is known to work? If the disk works, that would identify the issue as the new cable.

Feel free to ignore my suggestions.

emptybox wrote: »

I...The stuff about it not being compatible with Windows 10 is just the seller trying to cover himself from being accused of selling you a load of junk.

Agreed. That sounds like bull to me.

MarkBargain

molerat wrote: »

Strange one. All the caddies I use, some are quite old, are fine on W10 and were previously used with XP and W7. Have you actually tried it in another laptop or another OS ? I wonder if you laptop is not putting out enough power for some reason.

Not yet. My Mum has a Windows 7 laptop so I could try it on that later.

MarkBargain

Head_The_Ball wrote: »

That sounds strange to me.

USB standards and Windows 10 are completely different things.

I've used various USB2 and USB3 caddies on many different flavours of Windows without problems.

I know, I didn't think for a moment when ordering it that it may not be Windows 10 compatible.

MarkBargain

Thanks, I will check Device Manager later on. The data on the HDD is backed up so it's not the end of the world if I lose it. The HDD has Windows 10 installed on it, but I don't think that should affect seeing the files.