installing hdd in external enclosure

[14k]

I've just put a WD 250 GB hdd into a USB 2.0 enclosure. I'm using win2k so apparently I don't need any drivers. When I turn the thing on it show in that 'unplug or eject hardware' as usb mass storage device but it doesn't show in my computer or windows explorer as a drive.

What's going on?

 

[steady602]

try to change the drive's letter. you probably have a drive letter conflict. under computer management you only need to change the drives letter.

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: steady602
try to change the drive's letter. you probably have a drive letter conflict. under computer management you only need to change the drives letter.

small chance, win would assign a new and unused letter to any new device

however 14k you do probably need to take a trip to computer management, was this drive brand new ? if so it will need partitioning and formatting before you can see it in explorer



D

 

[FNC Jon]

I agree,

go into the comptuer managment and in storage and see if you can see the drive there, also make sur eyou ahve the latest service pack from win2k, i know with winxp if you do not hvae sp1 or higher you can not read form drives over so many gigs.

FNC JON

 

[14k]

Yes the drive was brand new straight from the box. I figured I needed to format it somehow, but if I can't see it how can I format it?

I can see it under computer management/storage/disk management. It has a black header and doesn't show at the top like all the other drives. do I just right click and select partition and follow the instructions now? It appears to be the only option.

 

[FNC Jon]

yup create the partition choose the size and format the disk.
FNC JON

 

[14k]

does 'file system to use' and 'allocation unit size matter' ?


edit: i'm doing it as ntfs - i hope thats ok

 

[FNC Jon]

i suggest to use ntfs and default allocation

FNC JON

 

[14k]

thanks

 

[FNC Jon]

no pob man just here to help

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: FNC Jon
i suggest to use ntfs and default allocation

FNC JON

I suggest FAT32, compatibility reasons, its an external after all



D

 

[FNC Jon]

is it windows XP or windows 2K you are installing if so ntfs, its more secure and peopel can argue but faster in a certain sence. fat32 was meant for win 95,98,ME. BUt you can do it if you want. IS this hardrive going to stay in your computer or go voyaging to other peopels who have windows 98. If so fat32. BUt if it is in your system and its winxp and win2k keep ntfs.