FAT32 partitions not seen in My Computer (XP PRO)

[mungoman]

I have an external USB2.0 drive (IDE ATA) and have made a image backup from my Win98 laptop.
When I connect the ext drive to my XP Pro PC it sounds like it connected but is not shown in My Computer.. but in Disk Manager it sees it fine.. I actually used DM to prepare the partitions ( there are 2 ) and to format them to FAT32.
I only wanted to check the image was there but I just cant see it..
Any other IDE I've connected, FAT32 or NFS is easily seen..

 

[one4thumb]

Sounds like windows just did not assign the parition(s) on the drive a drive letter, if Disk Managment can see the drive.

To fix in Disk Managment right click each partition, and select, Change Drive Letter and Paths..., then click Add, this will give you all the availiable drive letters just pick which ever one you want. Then Windows Explorer, Word Excel or any other program will see the drive.

 

[LWComputingMVP]

I don't recall seeing this on external drives, but products like Norton GoBack can cause problems with partitions - it changes the partition type and Windows will partially recognize it - that is, it will see the format of the partition, but will not assign a drive letter and won't let you assign the drive letter. Is this a hard drive you adapted to an external enclosure or used on or with a system with Norton GoBack?

 

[linney]

In the BIOS settings for your computer, load the 'Fail-Safe' default settings, and then reactivate the most frequently used options such as USB Support

What ServicePack are you at?

314634 - Windows XP Does Not Detect Your New USB Device

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314634&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

307070 - Windows XP Does Not Recognize a Q. USB Hard Drive

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307070&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

314464 - How to Troubleshoot Unknown Devices Listed in Device Manager

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314464&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

830638 - USB Hard Disk Icon and Label Do Not Display Correctly

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;830638&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH