External USB Hard Drive Stopped Working

Computer Maintenance:                           Revised: 11/15/2010

These instructions are intended for those simple people that own a computer and are afraid of making changes to them.

It’s best to do****PC maintenance on a daily basis and always before any new software installation. Here are some suggestions for a trouble free environment. The primary reason for software installation failure is not reading the instructions that come with them. Please print and read these thoroughly, do the ones you like, and when you finish, your PC will have a solid setup and you a big smile from ear to ear.

To facilitate the backup process, buy anExternal Hard Disk (HD), it will make the backups and saves a piece of cake, apart from the safety. Make sure it is compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista, Windows 7, and with the NTFS file system. Select theUSB powered option, so no separate power supply is neededand you can carry it anywhere (see USB Power Issue at end). If you buy a new PC, make sure it has onehigh speed USB 2.0 compliant / e-SATA port, in addition to HDMI for you movies. After you have completed the PC maintenance, backup your whole computer and continue on a monthly basis; save only the latest two months. Rememberto never ever save family pictures only in your PC, because in a hard drive failure they will be lost forever, always save them in a separate external HD. You can use the Iomega 500 GB Portable Hard Drive for the USB 2.0 speed (USB 3.0 and W7 32-bit compatible only), and the Seagate for the e-SATA port. The differences in transfer speed are as follows:

USB 2.0: up to 60 MB/s

E-SATA port: up to 300 MB/s (connect your cellular phone to it and will always be fully charged)

**http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/external-hard-drive-portable/ego-portable-series-usb-3/?partner=4760**

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/external/blackarmor/blackarmor\_ps\_110\_usb3/

1. RunWindows Update (WU) until no additional updates are offered. Make sure you don’t update Windows only, but all the Microsoft software you have on your PC. In Windows XP, when you open Microsoft Updates, in the left side, click Change Settings and in the new  window uncheck “Disable Microsoft Update software and let me use Windows Update only”. This will allow downloading updates for Windows, Office, SQL Server, and any other software you have, for Windows Vista (WV) and Windows 7 (W7) nothing needs to be done because they are preset to do it.
2. With all its boxes checked, runDisk Cleanup (DC) as many times as required, so as to do it in less than a minute. To get to it click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > and select Disk Cleanup. You will use this tool so often that it’s better to right click it and set to “Pin to Start Menu”, in W7 set to “Pin to Task Bar”.

While you are at the Disk Cleanup, click the More Options tab >System Restore, and click Cleanup and Yes to “Are you sure you want to delete all but the most recent restore point?” Restore Points use disk space and make antivirus and defragmenting run slower. You have the option completely delete all the Restore Points and redo them on the external hard drive, like the recommended in Step 00; have one for backups.

3. Do anError-Checking (EC) on your Local Disk, by right clicking it > Properties > Tools tab and selecting “Check now”. You can “Automatically fix file system errors”, and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”.
4. Run theWindows Disk Defragmenter (DD) as many times as required, so as to do it in less than a minute. To get to it click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > and select Disk Defragmenter. You have the option to defrag all your hard disks, internal and external.

**05. Advanced System Care Pro (ASCP) is an excellent maintenance program that does the work of many others, it runs either scheduled or with just one click on its Care!**The software non Pro version is free, but lacks the schedules options. I love his program.

**http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscarepro.html**

6. During new software installation, many programs, if not all, will offer to place an icon on the Desktop and update automatically, deny it, and delete all you can, for you can replace them anytime**. Have your Desktop as clean** as possible, I have only the Recycle Bin. Do the update on your own and when you want. The only auto updates should be Microsoft Updates, for any others you do the control.
7. At boot up and for XP and W7 only, have the least number of software starting; programs that auto start can affect the system performance or start without your knowledge. In Vista it is a different story; don’t touch them, to avoid being reminded of your boldness, but if you have to disable any, use only theWindows Defender program. Because Defender is disabled in Windows 7, you will have to use Startup in the System Configuration of theAdministrative Tools and the reminders will not be haunting you like in Vista. Remember to disable and\or enable; again, never ever delete. Iff you have a powerful PC with W7 64-bit Ultimate let all program updates be done automatically at Startup. Iff you have a powerful PC with W7 64-bit Ultimate let all program updates be done automatically at Startup.

In XP you can speed the boot up by disabling unnecessary starting software. Use the free, W7 compatibleWhatInStartup program by Nirsoft to enable and/or disable startup programs. In Vista you enable/disable with Defender, in W7 > System Configuration > Startup. Remember to only enable and/or disable, NEVER EVER delete starting programs. Try to disable as much programs as possible. Now restart and measure the time again, the difference is you gain. In Vista don't try to do the above, because everything is controlled by the program. While you gain in XP and W7, in Vista you will lose.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what\_run\_in\_startup.html

8. Download and install the free W7 compatibleBelarc Advisor, it builds a detailed profile of the installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft fixes, anti-virus status, and displays the results in the Web browser; an excellent free program that tells you everything you have on the PC.

http://www.belarc.com/free\_download.html

9. Download and W7 compatibleMicrosoft Baseline Security Analyzer, the program identifies common security misconfigurations and tells you how to fix them. Momentarily disable your antivirus program if it interferes with the test. Analyze the results and do the recommendations, including the Auditing Settings, shown in the Recommended Windows Settings in item E.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/cc184923.aspx

10. To protect your PC against viruses, installMicrosoft Security Essentials (MSE), it’s free, small and easy to use, does the job, and doesn’t slow the PC in the least; made by Microsoft to protect its own creation. All new PCs come with a 3 month free antivirus preinstalled. Don’t let it auto update while you do the PC setup, and when completed delete the antivirus and install MSE.

http://www.microsoft.com/security\_essentials/

11. Download and install world renownedCCleaner, now W7 compatible. This free fast cleaning software is used to clean files and traces of online activities. Recommended settings are at the end.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

12. Download and install the W7 compatible latest freeJava Runtime Environment (JRE), so you can run Java applications and applets. Almost all weather and Doppler radar sites require Java. Remember to select for installation only the Java JRE option for W7 32-bit (not available for 64-bit).

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

13. Download and install the latest free version ofAdobe Reader, and unselect the option to add any toolbar; after installing check for any additional updates.

http://get.adobe.com/reader/

14. For beautiful web pages, download and install the W7 compatible latest free version ofAdobe Flash Player; unselect the option to add a toolbar.

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Verify here that the version was correctly installed:

http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

15. If you use a laptop PC, buy aLogitech VX, or the MX Cordless Laser Mouse, compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Compare and you will see that there are others similar but none better. Download and install the latest SetPoint program and drivers, for the ones on the CDs are usually obsolete. Don’t connect the Unifying Receiver until told to do so. Try the Document Flip; it has little to envy to the similarW7 Aero taskbar thumbnails option.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice\_pointers/mice/devices/5846&cl=us,en

16. If you use Windows XP, you need to installWindows Defender. Those using Vista and W7 has Defender integrated, disabled, and cannot be removed. Vista users need to access Windows Defender > Tools > Software Explorer > Startup Programs and select and disable any program you don’t need starting; in W7 is through the System Configuration. Remember to enable or disable, never ever remove.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=435BFCE7-DA2B-4A6A-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en&mg\_id=10134

17. Download and install the free latest version ofWindows Live Messenger.

http://download.live.com/?sku=messenger

18. Use the W7 compatibleMailWasher Pro to administer all your email accounts. Excellent software for the email administration; it is the easiest and most powerful way to stop unwanted email getting into your PC. You will not open the email without first looking at it in MailWasher, and this is done by first viewing the emails in the Preview Pane. The recommended settings are at the end.

http://www.firetrust.com/en/products/mailwasher-pro

Recommended programs settings:

A. CCleaner

Windows tab: all boxes checked except Wipe Free Space.                                        

Applications tab: all boxes checked, except Windows Defender if you are using Vista.

Settings tab: only the second box and Normal file deletion.                                    Advance tab: only the first 3 boxes. Don't forget to scan for Issues as many times as required, fix all of them, and check frequently for updates.

B. MailWasher

   General Options:

Launch email application after processing                                                                                                   

Perform default mail check on startup                              

    **DisplayOptions:**Display read mails and the Columns order as Action, Delete, Friends List, From, Subject, and Attachments.                                   

    ConnectionOptions:                                                                                             Sequential Checking    

    Recycle Bin Options:

 Only Enable Recycle Bin and 1 day

Recommended Windows Settings:

A. One click:

To open the files with only one click go to Control Panel >Folder Options > and in the General tab select Single click to select an item. Click Ok.

B. Windows Preview Thumbnails:

Sometimes when we open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties > Taskbar tab > Show windows previews (thumbnails) can be gray out. To enable this option do as follow: right click the desk top > Personalize > Select color and appearance > at the bottom of the page select Open classic appearance for more options > in the Color Scheme, for Vista and W7 only, select Windows Aero > click Ok; the thumbnails option is now available

C. Refresh icons in the notification area:

The list of icons in the Notification Area on XP and Vista never updates and keep growing, it display the icons of programs long deleted. To refresh the list of icons proceed as follows:

HKEY_Current_User \ Software \ Classes \ Local Settings \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Tray Notify and on the right side select and delete both Icon Streams and Past Icon Streams.

Use Control + Shift + Escape to access the Windows Task Manager. Click the Processes tab, and in list under Image Name at left, click explorer.exe and select End Process. Now click the File option, at the top in the Windows Task Manager, and choose New Task, and in the available box type the word explorer and click Ok, this will restart Windows Explorer. Restart the PC if you want to. Your icon list is now updated. Do the Taskbar icon settings that you like most.

D. Audit Policy Settings:

Increase the security on all Windows by adjusting the Audit Policy settings as follows:

Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Local Policies > Audit Policy

                        Policy                                            Security Setting

                    Account login                                    Success

• Failure

               Account maintenance                            Success

• Failure

                   Directory service                                            Failure

                       Logon events                                  Success

• Failure            

                       Object access                                            Failure

                       Policy change                                  Success

• Failure                   

                       Privilege use                                                 N/A

                     Process tracking                                             N/A

                     System events                                   Success

• Failure

E. USB and Hardware issues:

Removing hardware by just pulling it off the USB plug is the worst way of handling your PC, always use the XP, Vista and W7 Safety Remove Hardware and Eject Media tool. Refresh your USB drivers as follows:

First you needaccess to see all hidden files inside your PC. Right click Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings at the left side > in the Advance tab select Environment Variables > in System Variables click New and enter: "devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices" without the parenthesis and enter 1 for the Value. Click the Ok and Exit.

The above instruction you can safely use in XP, Vista, and W7, and is intended to be used only on single non network PC ( never ever on a LAN, where some PCs connect their underside to a docking station and use another keyboard and monitor to interact or the USBs are assigned to a specific fixed driver). Open the Device Manager and the Universal Serial Bus Controller look at the USB icons and you will notice that all have a solid black color. Click View at the Standard Menu Bar and select ShowHidden Devices (has to be selected on every test because it does not stay fix by default). Take again a close look at the USB icons and you will see that some are transparent. These transparent USB icons are the empty leftover from Windows assign drivers to the hardware that later you remove, in some cases month or years ago. Uninstall only all transparent USB icons. Next time you plug any device, Windows again will provide the required driver to the specific USB, or the one that is in the hardware program you are just installing.

To have a better understanding of the conflict that is caused by removing the hardware from the USB, by only pulling the plug and not using the Safety Remove Hardware and Eject Media tool, please do the following: (W7 added the words Eject Media)

With any available hardware, plug it on all the empty USB ports you have on the PC, letting Windows install the driver and then simply unplug to remove. Try to install a different hardware in the same USB ports and in some of them Windows will not detect the device; this is because the USB is empty but is still in use with the previous driver. Plug the first same device and now in XP and Vista right click it and select Safely Remove and unplug. No transparent icon is shown.

Sometimes even using the Safely Remove feature, the Windows driver is left assigned to a specific USB port, this is because the hardware came with exclusive, non-Windows assigned driver, and the USB was disabled, in this case Windows will reserve that same USB port position and expects the same hardware to be plugged again, this USB icons have a black arrow pointing down. Is important to check and uninstall the transparent USB icons. When in doubt Uninstall, don’t Disable. If you have not done the maintenance, don't blame any of the Windows OS for the USB conflicts when installing your hardware devices. After you finish, check for transparency on all devices in the Device Manager and see how many belong to things that you no longer use. How many months or years have passed since you used and removed some of the devices shown? Do the maintenance and you will have perfectly working USB ports. Again, when in doubt Uninstall, don’t Disable.

F. USB Power Issue:

Old model PCs does not provide the electrical power for the hardware connected to your USB ports. When an additional USB hub is added, be certain to provide it with the required power adapter with an Output of5VDC and 2.5A, equivalent to Radio Shack Enercell item # 273-333.  Check if any of the 3 Adaptaplug that come with the power adapter fit your USB hub. They give you free the correct size one, so take the hub with you to measure the size.

**http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3875410**

Conclusion:

There are the things I do and recommend; they are simple and effective. With practice you will be doing some on a daily basis, and in time have all of them fully implemented. There is an internal joy and satisfaction, knowing that your PC is in top condition. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Efrain Morales

Hello KBS406,

Can you please try this? Something tells me you may have some corrupt system files.

Run The System File Checker tool:

To determine whether the issue that you are experiencing is caused by one or more system files that are used by Windows Vista, run the System File Checker tool. The System File Checker tool scans system files and replaces incorrect versions of the system files by using the correct Microsoft versions.

To run the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2. Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue
3. At the command prompt, the following line, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow (yes there is a space after sfc)

This scan may take a while to complete. When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved. Hope this helps you. Let us know either way. Make it a great day!

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"In the End The Love You Take, Is Equal To The Love You Make" (The Beatles last song from thier last album, Abbey Road.)

Hello KBS406,

Have you tried using a different USB Port? It maybe your H.D. needs to be assigned a letter since your printer may have replaced it, itself when you installed it.    

How to change a drive letter: To change an existing drive letter on a drive, on a partition, or on a volume, follow these steps:

1. Log on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Performance and Maintenance.
3. Click Administrative Tools, double-click Computer Management, and then click Disk Management in the left pane.
4. Right-click the drive, the partition, the logical drive, or the volume that you want to assign a drive letter to, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.
5. Click Change.
6. Click Assign the following drive letter if it is not already selected, click the drive letter that you want to use, and then click OK.
7. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the drive letter change.

The drive letter of the drive, the partition, or the volume that you specified is changed, and the new drive letter appears in the appropriate drive, partition, or volume in the Disk Management tool.

Hope this helps you. Let us know either way. Make it a great day!

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"In the End The Love You Take, Is Equal To The Love You Make" (The Beatles last song from thier last album, Abbey Road.)