External Hard Drive 2

[kyflyfisher]

I recently added an external drive(Firewire). It will be used as backup and to transfer files to another computer.
The problem is that twice I've lost the files and had to go back and reformat because it says the drive is "not accessable".
Does anyone have any ideas? Would restarting the computer while the drive is on effect the data?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[micker377]

thread751-1028444

Read whole thing, especially the last post.

 

[kyflyfisher]

Thanks for the info. Bought this case and HD together so I don't know what my options are.
Can this drive be removed and installed permenantly in my computer?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[micker377]

Yes, you can install it in the computer. Just remember to check the master/slave jumper. It is set as master to use externally. By the way, I had problems with mine corrupting files. I hooked it up (firewire), and went into computer management (Win XP), and set it up there. Since then I have only turned the drive power off when the computer is not running (stand by or off). If you notice, when you try to "remove USB device", it is always busy. The computer won't shut down until the drive is safe. So far two months with no problems.

By running it installed in the computer, you can be sure the drive is OK.

 

[kyflyfisher]

By computer management do you mean the Disk Manager or Control Panel?
What am I talking about-either way I'm not sure how you set it up. Can you elaborate please?

 

[micker377]

I'm talking about Win XP Pro. Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Computer Management/Disk Management.

 

[kyflyfisher]

Thanks, found that and it's listed as "0n-line" and "healthy" but how do I set it up?

 

[wolluf]

kyflyfisher - are you still talking about setting the drive up as an external or have you now connected it to IDE cable internally?

Disk management (you can run diskmgmt.msc to access it directly) is where you partition and format drives in XP (and chnage drive letter asssignments). If its online and healthy then it should be available to use (has it a drive letter too?)

 

[kyflyfisher]

wolluf-Still external. Yeah I can use it but now and then it comes back as "inaccessable" or "corrupt" which I understand is a problem with the Prolific PL3507 Chipset. As it is now it is useless because I'm affraid to put anything on it. It's a 160GB drive, somewhere I read partitioning may help OR I have downloaded Firmware but I don't know how to install it,
Can you help?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[micker377]

Do you have SP-2 installed? Supposedly (yeah - right), this has "fixed" the Prolific problem. Like I posted earlier, once I set-up the Firewire drive through Disk Management (as NTFS), it has worked fine. And yes, I am using a box with a Prolific chip!

 

[kyflyfisher]

SP@ is installed and the drive does show up in Disk Manager. Is there anything I need to do in Disk Manager?
How did you set yours up other than plug it in?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[micker377]

That's about it (disk management). When it failed (twice), it would report "under file system", as none. Both times it was set as Fat32. I tried NTFS, and it has worked so far.

 

[garebo]

I have used usb and firewire externals for years now. At first by luck i avoided the prolific chipsets, later i would read people posting only to buy the oxford chipset and i didnt hear why. Now, lately, i have learned why, or rather, what chipset to stay away from. On different fora (forums) we have learned at about the same time. Which means to watch out in the future for real good deals on external firewire cases as these will, of course, be the ones with the prolific chipsets! Word gets around and it affects sales, as it should.

Also, what micker377 said. I have found that my usb and firewire both play together with windows when formatted NTFS. For one thing you wont get messages that one doesnt like the name of the file, and then there is the 4 gig limit that i have hit on fat32, so best to format NTFS.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

When i said there will be real good deals on those cases with prolific chipsets, i wasnt suggesting anyone buy them!! Thought I had better make that clear or i will pay for that statement!

Oxford chipsets only with firewire cases!!!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[kyflyfisher]

Yeah looks like I got burned. Dad always told me"If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is".
Both my IDE's are tied up with HD's so I'll remove the smaller one that, unfortunately, has the OS on it so I have some major work ahead of me. Not to mention I lose the ability to transfer file to our other computer.
Anyone know of a good HD copyer or is that another forum?
Anyway, thanks to eveyone for your help!
Rick

 

[micker377]

Copy HD (also called cloning):
1. Norton Ghost, or Acronis True image. (efficient)
2. Download the "copy" program from the hard drive's manufacturer. (free!)