External harddisk dead for windows - Hardware or Software?

[eymas]

My external harddrive contains nearly all games (including SA:MP) but for windows its an unknown device.
while yesterday and all other days it worked fine.

Is this related with the hardware or the software(windows itself)?

[Ted]

Remove it from its current USB slot and re-fit it or place it into another USB.

[Gandalf]

Put your ear close to it and check if you hear a repeating scratching sound. If you do.... pray it comes on and make a fast backup.

[EenBeeFour]

Try use another cable to connect it to the computer. If you still get the same problem, try it with another computer.

[eymas]

Remove it from its current USB slot and re-fit it or place it into another USB.

Tried. no success

Put your ear close to it and check if you hear a repeating scratching sound. If you do.... pray it comes on and make a fast backup.

Apart from its original buzzing/read/write nothing unusual

Try use another cable to connect it to the computer. If you still get the same problem, try it with another computer.

Could try this if i find the different cables. I got 6 of them but they're all gone now >.<

And:
Windows XP = No luck. main pc
OS X = Success. no problems at all
Linux = Success. currently using as backup-storage (its my fileserver anyhow)
Post Merge: March 23, 2012, 07:36:00 pmUPDATE: Windows lost the default drivers for USB Mass storage.
Reinstalling windows XP then...

[Link9rly]

I think you could go into device manager and delete all signs of the driver. I haven't had this issue, though so I can't really help with it. What I can say is that if it does click, place the hard drive into a freezer for 1 month MINIMUM and then take it out and let it sit for a 3 to 7 days. It worked for me.


Actually, here...


Open up device manager as admin.

Open up the disk drives category.
Disable your external then uninstall. Restart then if your hard drive came with any installation CD, put that in the tray. Also, do NOT use PC powered USB hubs. If it doesn't come with a CD, just plug it in. It should being to install drivers.

[Bilbo]

Check Disk Management for the possiblity that Windows just haven't assigned a drive letter to it, meaning it would not show up on Your Computer.