External HD --> I/O error

[arthuro]

Hello,
I have the following problem and I hope somebody can advise me what to do.
I have an external HD (Maxtor 300LE) which worked perfectly. But when I want to go to it now, I get an error message: error in I/O device.

The icon 'remove hardware safely' shows the drive, - 'my computer' shows the drive, - it says . 'it works correctly' - and yet I can't go to this drive.
I hope somebody has a solution for my problem. Thank you!

Arthuro

[mjc]

Use the 'remove' icon to shut down the drive, remove it, reboot and reconnect...

[arthuro]

Thank you mjc for your suggestion. I did what you told me. I understand what should happen: i should get the message that a new device was recognized. But no! The 'remove icon' now doesn't even mention the drive any more. In 'My Computer" the drive ("F") is still there, but when I select it, it says the HDD is not connected.....
So.... hopefully .....

arthuro

[Sylvander]

Is the drive connected using USB [2.0]?

I had something similar happen with my external USB 2.0 connected IDE HDD.
It turned out to be a hardware fault with the USB circuitry built into the plug on the USB2 to ATA cable that connected the drive enclosure to the USB socket.
The shop tested the hardware, found it faulty, replaced the "smart" cable and the new one worked.

Before the fix, the drive looked like it worked.
All appeared well in Device Manager and Windows Explorer, but when I tried to transfer data an error was displayed.

[mjc]

Like Sylvander said...the next step is a cable or enclosure problem.

Try a new USB cable, if the enclosure uses a standard cable. This is the cheaper option...

The next would be to pull the drive from the enclosure and test it by directly connecting it to the computer. But don't do this if the drive/enclosure was bought as a unit and is still under warranty...at least without contacting tech support of the enclosure manufacturer.

The last would be to try the drive in a new enclosure...this tends to be the more expensive option.

[arthuro]

Hello Sylvander!
Yes, it is connected with a USB cable. I tried another cable, but with no result. Nothing changed. Maybe it is the external HDD itself... I'll connect it to another computer to check. But still... what is the meaning of the message 'error in I/O device'? (see my first message). What to do with this message?
Thank you anyway!!!

[mjc]

Basically, it is saying that there is some form of communication error between your computer and an Input/Output device, in this case the drive enclosure...

[Sylvander]

In my case...
Since the USB circuitry in the "smart" cable was faulty...
[Is yours an ordinary cable that has no circuitry?]
[Is that circuitry on the circuit board inside the enclosure?]
It seemed that all the hardware was seen as present....
But when it came to it...
The USB2 cable wouldn't actually fulfil its function of transferring data.
Hence attempts at data transfer failed and Windows reported that fact using appropriate standard error text.

Assuming there was some error in my I/O device [see the image below of the device tree], which hardware component might it be?
The Fujitsu HDD?
The Storage Adapter Bridge Module? [What is that?]
The USB 2.0 Smart Cable? [The part that actually failed]
The USB 2.0 Root Hub?
The PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller?

[Paul Komski]

If the device does not work when attached to a different computer running an appropriate operating system, you will need to remove the drive from its enclosure and attach it directly to an IDE/ATA ribbon cable (swapping it temporarily onto the secondary master usually attached to your CD/DVD is often the easiest option) to differentiate between a problem with the USB Hardware and the Device itself. It is also the only way to easily test the integrity of the HDD itself from utility software on a floppy drive.

Note that this will only work properly if the computer has both a motherboard and an Operating System (not known in your case) that support USB storage devices over 127gig in size (ie requiring 48bit LBA support).

You could also try the drive in a new USB enclosure or on a USB to IDE cable; such cables include the circuitry referred to by Sylvander and work in the same way as an enclosure (but without being enclosed in anything).

[arthuro]

I just attached the drive to a different computer--> same problem!
So first of all I'll have the USB cable checked as well as the enclosure.
I'll keep you informed!

[arthuro]

Here is my latest information. I had my cable checked and it was in good order.
The drive light is blinking all the time, which seems to mean that it is trying to read information, but cant'- then stops, but tries again, etc. So the drive seems to have crashed, my IT-man tells me. The best thing wiil probably be to buy a new HD.
Thank you very much for all your advice. I tried to follow it, but .....

[mjc]

Still take the drive from the enclosure and hook it directly to a computer....

[arthuro]

mjc, you seem to be pretty sure - so I'll do what you advised: 'Still take the drive from the enclosure and hook it directly to a computer....'- however my holidays are pretty close, so I don't know if I manage this week.