Last year I salvaged a 200 GB hard drive from a fried computer, cleaned it, loaded it with all my files etc. and all was fine until I decided to update the backup using Vista’s utility.  Result, I lost virtually everything I had saved.  Now for some reason beyond my knowledge, I cannot get the HD to show up anywhere on my machine when I plug it in (USB Port).  I hear a noise indicating it has been read and the safe removal function shows it to be on the machine but still, I can find no view of it and it also is not offered as an option when I attempt to use the backup software.  Where is the dern thing?  Anybody have any ideas?  I’ve checked and double checked all the connections, poked around control panel etc. to no avail. Is there hope or should I just toss the thing?

Had another idea to install it in the slot provided in my machine.  Don’t know if this would work nor how to accomplish it.  I believe I have a slot for it but to install the thing and make certain it’s going to work and not mess anything up is a bit above my pay grade.

Can you see it under device manager?

Will - 20 July 2009 11:38 AM

Can you see it under device manager?

There are two which appear identical, both called USB Mass Storage Devices.  This time when I clicked to remove safely a window came up and identified both.  On closer inspection one of them was ID’d as my all in one printer.

What happened next…plugged it in again and again clicked to remove safely and a choice popped up to remove Mass Storage Device Drive (F).  Drive F said it was a removable disc drive (F)  It’s gone now and when I again plugged the device in the following message appears under device manager.

Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for “safe removal”, but it has not been removed from the computer. (Code 47)

This too happened before.  Tried a second time and the same result, there is still that message . So, you see I am being led in circles??????

They do have different addresses.  The one is 00000006 the other 00000001 (this being the one that produced the message.

Update.  I restarted the PC with the device plugged in and under computer up popped Removable disc (F)  Of course when I try to open that the CD/DVD player/burner opens.  The message is gone under device manager.  Both USB drives are working properly.  Don’t you just hate it when the damn things lie to you?  Now clearly I can see the 00000001 address is for the printer.  This time when I removed the correct one no error message appears but Removable disc (F:) remains under computer.  Plugged it in again and no error message yet I can’t find how to open it??????????

Of course the address changed.  It’s now at 00000005 but where is the door?

I am confused ( it happens a lot), what does this mean “update the backup using Vista’s utility.”?
Did you update your driver? If so roll it back. Check on your system restore points to see what you changed the day it stopped working.

Vista has a feature that will run a full backup and put it where I tell it to.  No way can I use anything like a CD or DVD to save much of my stuff.  The external drive I’m using, does it have any kind of software left on it?  Does it need updating?  I have no clue.  It’s a 200 gig I rescued from an e machine that I fried (power supply)  I’m wondering if I can fit it in the slot provided in my Compaq but I’m not totally certain I have a slot, think so. 

The HD was cleaned completely as far as I know.  When I had to do a quick restore of my OS on the Compaq I ran the Vista system and it erased almost everything I had on it all of which was dragged and dropped originally. Now it sits in a box virtually useless without being able to open it. As Windows 7 approaches it is needed that I have a backup plan, as advised, before installing the new system. Oh, when I checked it out under device manager, it says it’s functioning correctly.  Well dang it, Mr Microsoft, then why in hell can’t I open the stupid thing?