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Ext. Hard drive not recognized

External hard drive

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#1
jsaklas

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Windows 7 does not recognize my old Maxtor 3000 LS external hard drive.  I get a message to "load the drive with a disk."  Someone told me to take it out of the case, get a "mule" and attach it to my computer.  I got it out of the hard case (no easy task) but have no idea what a mule is (I thought they pulled wagons, plows and artilery caissons in the 19th century.)

 

I will appreciate any help.  -  My concern is to retrieve the data on this hard drive.

 

Jim


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#2
DSTM

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Hi. I presume they mean an external enclosure or Caddy.


Edited by DSTM, 17 August 2014 - 11:49 AM.

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#3
donetao

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Hello Jim!

I don't know what a mule is either. You might try this.

http://www.amazon.co...pd_bxgy_e_img_y


Edited by donetao, 17 August 2014 - 11:54 AM.

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#4
donetao

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Hello Jim! I goggled! Is this what it looks like??

http://www.seagate.c...s_datasheet.pdf


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#5
jsaklas

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DSTM,

 

Yes, I removed the blue and cream colored outer case, i.e. the "caddy."

 

 

donetao,

 

The pic you found is my MAXTOR.  Now that I have the caddy off, what next.  My objective is to copy the files on this hard drive to my desktop's HD.  The AMAZON adaptor cables may be what I need, but I don't know.  There is no standard USB female jack on the hard drive's box.  Do I take the box apart and get to the actual HD?  Is there a USB jack inside?

 

Bottom line is I don't know what to do.


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#6
donetao

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Hello!

The bottom line is I'm afraid I don't know what do to either??? :headscratch:

How did you use the drive before? Is there a CD? From what I read, there's supposed to be a USB cable to connent to a USB port???

donetao!


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#7
Plastic Nev

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Once you have the hard drive out of the case, and considering its age, it will no doubt be an IDE or PATA type and not the more recent SATA type.

 

to be sure, just look at the connections to the hard drive itself, if a long strip of connector pins it will no doubt be IDE, if on the other hand the connections are in two or three separate blocks of connectors, mostly edge type, it will be SATA. It may also say somewhere on the label "SATA"

 

Ideally,if there are similar connections available on your main computers motherboard, a short connection lead is all that is required to connect directly to the motherboard and therefore the computer.

 

However, if for example your external drive is IDE, but the motherboard only supports SATA, then a USB adapter cable is what you require as being the only alternative.

 

Be aware though that if the actual hard drive itself has died, then even connecting it that way,will not give any results.

 

Edit to add pictures of hard drives, this first is a SATA type

 

SATAharddrive_zps2e7dd09e.jpg

 

This second is an older IDE type. You will need to know which type of drive it is to order a USB connector.

 

IDEharddrive_zps1d671289.jpg

 

Nev.


Edited by Plastic Nev, 17 August 2014 - 02:30 PM.

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#8
donetao

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Hello!

The bottom line is I'm afraid I don't know what do to either??? :headscratch:

How did you use the drive before? Is there a CD? From what I read, there's supposed to be a USB cable to connent to a USB port???

donetao!

Maxtor Personal Storage 3000LS
Easy
Plug in the drive and go!*
Fast
Up to 40 times faster than USB 1.1, USB 2.0 improves
the bus transfer rate up to 480Mb/sec.
Compatible
USB 2.0 interface is backward compatible with virtually
all existing USB 1.1 ports. Works with PCs.
* Windows 98SE requires internet download
Included in the Box
Maxtor external hard drive
USB cable
External AC power adapter
Installation instructions

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Edited by donetao, 17 August 2014 - 02:30 PM.

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#9
jsaklas

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Plastic Nev,

 

This wil be short since it is late.

 

I took the metal case off.  It is definitely not a SATA type, since it has all the pins as shown in your pic, it is an IDE type.  THis is not a surprise in that it is 8-10 years old. Is there a way via Windows 7 that I can check to see if my motherboard can hook up to it, or do I have to phiysically look at the motherboard?

 

I will check this posting tomorrow - I'm going to bed.

 

js


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#10
donetao

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Hello!

I think the IDE/Sata/Pata docking cable kit I posted will cover it.

You don't hook up to the motherboard. You hook up to a USB port.

I can't make it any plainer. You won't know until you try it!!

I'm going to bed also!

donetao!

SATA/PATA/IDE Drive to USB 2.0 Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 / 3.5 Inch Hard Drive / Optical Drive with External AC Power Adapter

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Edited by donetao, 17 August 2014 - 10:12 PM.

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#11
Plastic Nev

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Hi, without knowing what motherboard is fitted to your computer as we don't as yet know the make and model so cannot say for sure if the motherboard will have sockets for IDE connections, (Being Windows 7 I doubt it) therefore the simple answer is to use an adapter to USB.

 

The thing we are trying to do here is to find out for sure whether the problem is the original external case and its electronics is faulty, or if indeed it is the hard drive itself which you have taken from it.

 

If it turns out to be the actual hard drive that is duff, there will be very little can be done to retrieve any data that will not cost a lot of money.

There are specialist companies that can do so, however they charge very high prices due to the work required to do so.

 

So in simple terms, let us know what you find after obtaining an adapter or other means of connection and we can advise further after that. If it partially works, we can try a checkdisk repair, no guarantees on it though.

 

Nev.


Edited by Plastic Nev, 18 August 2014 - 04:41 AM.

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#12
jsaklas

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donetao and Nev,

 

I haven't checked the motherboard yet, but it is a fairly new machine running and Intel Celeron 2.4 Gig processor with 8 Gigs of RAM, so I, like you expect that I will need the adaptor.  I will check it out and then order the adapters today from Amazon.  Once the adaptors come in I will post any problems and solutions.

 

I'm hoping the HD is OK and it was just the power case.

 

 

js


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#13
jsaklas

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Donetao,

 

The adaptors from Amazon have not yet arrived.  However, I am assuming (rather, I am hoping) that the disc in my Maxtor External Hard Drive is good, but he power unit has failed.  If this is the case, then what powers the disc once the adaptor arrives.  Will the hookup to a USB port power the Maxtor disc?


Edited by jsaklas, 23 August 2014 - 11:11 PM.

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#14
phillpower2

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Hello jsaklas,

 

Unfortunately donetao is unable to reply so if I may chime in instead!

 

Connect the data cable connector and power supply to the HDD > connect the USB plug to a second computer > power up both the drive and the second computer > hopefully the Maxtor  HDD will be listed as a removable device in My Computer on the second computer and you will be able to back up your data.


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#15
jsaklas

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phillpower2,

 

Thanks for the reply.  By no measure am I a hardware expert, but I think I understand.  My only concern is that the Amazon stuff I ordered is too cheap to be real, and I may never get it, or, when I do, it is pure junk.

 

I will get post my results, if and when the stuff arives.

 

js


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