Connecting an external hard drive to a modem-router


  1. curt jugg
    Posts : 59
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Connecting an external hard drive to a modem-router


    I have a Western Digital My Book Essential external hard drive connected to my desktop computer by USB. I wanted to connect it instead to my Sky modem-router. Because the router does not have a USB port, I purchased a USB-to-RJ45 adapter and used this to make the connection. Unfortunately, the external drive no longer appears in File Explorer and the small light on the front of the drive is no longer illuminated. Is there something I can do to rectify this or is what I'm trying to do just not possible? Grateful for any advice..

    Curt
    Windows 10 Home
    Version 1909
    Last edited by curt jugg; 23 Sep 2020 at 10:24. Reason: Typo
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  3. Berton
    Posts : 14,006
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #2

    The "small light on the front of the drive is no longer illuminated" suggests it's not getting power. As I recall the Essential line of drives had their own power supply.

    For access by other computers I have 2 WD My Cloud 2TB NAS drives connected to my Router via the Ethernet cables.
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  4. curt jugg
    Posts : 59
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for your reply, Berton. I see what you mean about the light but I have the drive plugged into the mains electricity supply as well.

    Curt
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  6. Berton
    Posts : 14,006
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #4

    No light does suggest a power problem, could be the interface in the case or maybe the drive itself.
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  7. curt jugg
    Posts : 59
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Well, I've connected it back up to my computer and the light has reappeared.
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  8. syntoh
    Posts : 63
    Windows 10 pro en
       New #6

    What you did would not work anyway, even if the Disk gets power from somewhere.
    The Router must have a "NAS" function in its firmware. Due to missing USB ports most probably this function is not available.

    syntoh
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  9. curt jugg
    Posts : 59
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    So it won't work. Thanks for the info, syntoh.
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