Medion external hard drive

[trish1234567]

I have just transferred almost all from my old computer onto a Medion 750gb ext.hard drive ready for transferring to a new computer. However, for apparently no reason, the external hard drive appears to have packed up and is not appearing on my computer at all. I tested the external hard drive on my laptop and I get the following message: “the usb attached has malfunctioned and Windows does not recognise it.” The ext.hard drive switches on OK and makes a faint humming noise and I have tried a different usb. Any help or explanation please. Thanks.

[LeMarchand]

Is it a powered drive, or does it self-power via USB? If the former, I got nothing, if the latter it might not be getting enough power via USB. Try adding an appropriate power supply or (if the connector has 2 USB plugs at the "computer" end) use both.

[Old_Geezer]

Hopefully, worst comes to worst, you may be able to extract the drive from its external enclosure and use it in the new PC, or in a different enclosure.

I guess the USB interface in the external drive enclosure could have blown, or it may be as simple as a connector not connecting properly. If you can look inside for anythig obvious ...

[TTG]

Are you using the correct power lead? I used the wrong one by mistake on a usb drive. It still powered up but refused to be accessed.

[trish1234567]

Thanks for your help LeM. It is a powered drive with a small powerpack type plug. I think it is too large (750gb) for a usb only. The power is getting through from the plug because there it is a light on it. I'm no techi but I think the fault must be inside the ex.hard drive unit and OG - I think you're possibly right, that something has become disconnected or blown within the ex.h.d. I'm certainly not clever enough to do the thing you suggest about extracting the drive. However, the new desktop which was delivered yesterday has a 1TB h.d. but I don't want to connect it up till I solve this problem. Ah well ............thanks guys.

[trish1234567]

Hi TTG - I've been using the same power lead for the 3 years I've had it and because it has a small powerpack type plug it can't really be mistaken for an ordinary usb. Good point though and thanks!

[LeMarchand]

If it's a new external drive and you still have your data elsewhere you could try getting a refund/exchange. Your data would still be on the drive they take back, though...

[trish1234567]

Hi LeMarchand - I've got till 3rd Aug left on the 3 year guarantee. I emailed the German manufacturers Medion on Friday requesting either a repair or refund. I would be happier with a repair so as to retain all info on it. Because of the weekend, I probably won't hear till next week.

Incidentally, I purchased the ext h.d. at Aldi's whom I've found are pretty good at enchanging items so I'm pretty confident I would get a refund. Thank you for your interest. Trish.

[trish1234567]

P.S. Hi again LeMarchand, with regard to using 'Eraser' on the hard drive - yes, I would be a bit afraid to do that myself!!!

[Old_Geezer]

Did I misread ? You are contemplating taking a hard drive, filled with your personal data, back to the retailer for refund/replacement ? I trust there's nothing you are concerned others might get to know about on the drive then.