Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
Name: splinters
I just bought a WD Elements 160GB external 2.5" HD but Vista will not install it, it asks for drivers but it should be plug and play. I have tried the Usbstor.inf copy trick as well as deleting infcache1 in case it was corrupted, but nothing seems to work, I have directed the installation wizard to System32, inf and driverstore folders but still no go.
It works perfectly on an XP machine and is supposed to be Vista compatible. Ironically I have a WD 160GB Desktop which is installed fine, only difference is the new one has no power supply and draws off USB power.
Any ideas? Any more time spent on this and I am taking the thing back!
Have you checked the manufacturer's website for a driver?
Dress modestly, it shows people that you care about yourself.
0 
Yeah I think so. I wonder if someone else will come along that has another idea. Maybe we should wait and see.
Dress modestly, it shows people that you care about yourself.
0
Is the usb port on the computer you are plugging the drive into a usb 2.0 port? As the drive is usb 2.0. Also have you gone into bios and checked to see that the usb drive is seen there?
0
It is USB 2.0. When I go into BIOS I cannot see either of my external Hard Drives but when I boot to windows the Desktop WD (powered) is there. All my USB sticks work too, an Alesis Fusion Keyboard (that has an 80gb HD) and my PSP. Only this HD will not install.
I have a multi card reader too so this drive would effectively become L: if it ever installs...I wonder if it to do with the USB power it needs? But the LED lights up fine.
0
It 'might' be that you have too many USB devices connected and it has reached the point that the motherboard cannot supply enough juice for the printer. Try connecting it alone, if you haven't tried that.
0
draws off USB power.
See hidden devices, system panel.
It is drawing too much power. Most have a small port to add in external power.
I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
0
I have an Asrock AliveNF7G and it is USB 2.0. It has four USB ports on the back and two on the front. There is also a multi card reader with another USB port fitted to the front. Last night I put a CF card in and it was recognised until I removed the WD external drive so the power issue might be a problem.
As for installed devices, I have a Wacom tablet (USB powered) and Microsoft wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse (battery powered. A Photosmart 3110 all in one (mains powered)and a 3D connexions Space Navigator (USB powered. I connect the mains powered WD 160GB through the front USB port-same with USB sticks. The Alesis Fusion is connected occasionally and is Mains powered. Both the Fusion and Photosmart printer have their own card slots i.e. USB pen (printer) and CF card (Fusion).
It would seem to be a power issue then but it does receive power and is recognised as an attached device but it simply will not locate a driver even though it technically is the same drive as the other WD 160GB I have albeit without the power.
0
Have you disconnected all USB devices except the new drive?
Dress modestly, it shows people that you care about yourself.
0
You do have many USB devices. In practice the power consumption is only half the issue. I have found that connecting multiple devices to one controller thry the use of a hub, for instance, can confuse Windows and the result is what you are experiencing.
A solution might be to install a USB controller card in a PCI slot, or even better a PCIe slot, if cards are available. I believe PCI slots are capable of supplying much more current than a USB controller. In the meantime it may help you to know that each controller usually supplies TWO USB ports. This means if you connect two high current draw devices on one controller they are sure to cause issues. Harddrives by thier nature are always on when connected so they should be paired with something that doesn't draw much current. Look at the link below for an example.
0
I will try disconnecting the two devices that are drawing power and see what happens.
Cheers guys
0
Nope, I disconnected everything but the keyboard/mouse transmitter and still no go. Plugged it into the port that was powering the tablet. No idea what is going on.
However, I recently uninstalled SP1 RC3 and things have been a little bit weird after that but it recognizes everything else I plug in...
0
Are you sure the drive is simply not showing in My Computer? May be available in Disk Management.
0
No sign of it at all. I am just about fed up with this. Will see if a friend wants it then try to return it to the store...no good to me if I cannot use it on this Vista machine.
Cheers for the help though ;-(
0  |
 |
 |
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
