External HDD not showing up in Device Manager (or My Computer)


  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #1

    External HDD not showing up in Device Manager (or My Computer)


    G'day all,
    I have 4 year old Seagate 1TB hard drive. I've tried connecting it to multiple Windows PCs but the same thing always happens:
    • I connect it
    • It makes the Windows sound that new hardware/usb has been connected.
    • Nothing happens – the drive does not appear in My Computer, nor in Device Manager.
    • It makes the Windows sound that hardware/usb has been disconnected.

    Nothing shows up in My Computer, Disk Management, or Device Manager.

    I tried connecting it to a Windows 7 pc, and it tried to install new hardware...But then it said "Device driver software not installed. Please consult with your manufacturer for assistance getting this device installed."

    It was my back up external HDD, so it's got some important files. I'm pretty keen to just somehow get it connected so I can copy the files etc.

    Any hot tips? Many thanks in advance
    Last edited by Vypersnake; 21 Oct 2020 at 19:21.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,058
    windows 10
       #2

    Welcome to the forum. Does it show in disk manager? it suggests the usb device is ok but the drive is dead. can you try it in a pc as second drive?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       #3

    @Vypersnake hello,
    Watch this and you may have some hope and ideas for recovering your data Secrets to FIXING YOUR EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE! Important Information on "dead" EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES! - YouTube as you said the drive appears dead when connecting it to a second computer too.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,862
    Windows 10 Pro 2004 20H1
       #4
      My Computer


 

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