T42 windows XP sp3 usb HD not found

[lemmerdeur]

I have 2 T42 identical with Windows XP and SP3. After loading SP3, one laptop started having problem finding the USB external hard drive 120GB. Windows sees it but I would have an error message windows can not recognize...I had to disconnect the usb cable and reconnect to have it working. Now that trick doesn't work any more. (The other laptop is working fine.) When I go to my computer,there is no external HD (E) but I was able to find it (I don't remember how, I think in manage) and copy some file from it. I went on the web and found all kinds of fixes but none are working up to now. What can I do? Could it be a motherboard problem? I tried the docking station, same problem. I have a pcmcia USB2 adapter but I don't think it is compatible, it make a repeat noise that doesn't sound good and windows doesn't see it.

[ajkula66]

That does sound like a mobo issue.

How does machine react to other USB devices?

[RealBlackStuff]

Do you get messages, that USB could work faster/better....?
If so, your Southbridge is going south, and needs to be reflowed/reballed.

[lemmerdeur]

The USB works fine with mouse, scanner, printer, camera and memory cards.

That does sound like a mobo issue.

How does machine react to other USB devices?

[lemmerdeur]

No, no messages beside windows can not recognize....

Do you get messages, that USB could work faster/better....?
If so, your Southbridge is going south, and needs to be reflowed/reballed.

[MnR]

Hi,


It sounds like the interface in the external drive is bad or going or gone. The way to check to see if it is the external case is bad, is to take the Hard Drive out of the case and try it in another computer.

You will need to get an adapter or another external case, unless you put in a laptop.

MnR

[lemmerdeur]

That drive works perfectly on other laptops

Hi,


It sounds like the interface in the external drive is bad or going or gone. The way to check to see if it is the external case is bad, is to take the Hard Drive out of the case and try it in another computer.

You will need to get an adapter or another external case, unless you put in a laptop.

MnR

[Neil]

OK, so it seems we've eliminated the external drive as the problem, because it works well with other computers.

We've eliminated the T42 in question, because it works well with other devices.

So, if it's not a hardware problem, it must be software. SP3 in not the problem though. But, if this drive was not unmounted cleanly, I've seen Windows have trouble mounting it the next time. I can't remember what I've had to do in such a situation though. Maybe attach it to another computer, unmount it, and try attaching to the problem T42 again.

Something else to try, would be booting a live Linux CD to see if the external USB drive and the problem T42 work well together without the Windows OS in between.

[lemmerdeur]

The drive is in the back ground because I went to my computer, manage, storage I think and I could see the drive with letter E as it should be but U don't know exactly and I don't know how to force it back to my computer. I was able to copy a file from it that I needed.

OK, so it seems we've eliminated the external drive as the problem, because it works well with other computers.

We've eliminated the T42 in question, because it works well with other devices.

So, if it's not a hardware problem, it must be software. SP3 in not the problem though. But, if this drive was not unmounted cleanly, I've seen Windows have trouble mounting it the next time. I can't remember what I've had to do in such a situation though. Maybe attach it to another computer, unmount it, and try attaching to the problem T42 again.

Something else to try, would be booting a live Linux CD to see if the external USB drive and the problem T42 work well together without the Windows OS in between.