StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Well, here's the deal. I've got a 40GB standalone Maxtor hard drive that I use for backing up files and storing extra stuff that I don't necessarily want cluttering up my laptop. However, the last time I tried to access it, I couldn't acess it. Whenever I plug it into a system, I get the usual connection message on the external device manager, and then that's it. I can't access the device manager again until after I unplug the drive from the system, My Computer can't see the drive, and the system stability really goes down. Nothing appears physically wrong, and it hasn't made any strange noises. Has anyone else had this happen? Does it sound like the drive itself is fried, or is it just the USB connection? The whole thing is a just an IDE drive hooked up to a USB connection card and wrapped in a plastic case.

Sounds like something to do with the usb connection/external drive case. I've had similar problems with some of the external hard drives we use at work.

Whew! If it's just the connection that's screwed up, then I can work with it. I just got a desktop with a decent sized case, so maybe I'll try to load the drive into one of the empty bays. I just didn't want to risk screwing up the new system on a count of a hard drive that's totalled anyway.