Problem with Windows XP data transfer

O

olb

New Member
Here is my problem:
I have a PC with windows XP and USB 1.1 and I want to transfer my old files to my current PC. I bought a 500GB External MyGen Portable USB 3.0 with the idea to transfer my files easier, however it failed to recognize the portable hard drive.

Another problem is that I don't have direct access to the old PC (don't ask why.It's a long story) and a third person is the one doing the transfer. Now I'm trying to figure out what might be the problem so I can explain it to the person and get my data back.

I suspect it might be because of the Portable HD isn't compatible with USB 1.1 but if that's the case what else can I do...I'm running out of time as I need my data before the end of March.
 
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My Computer

System One

Welcome

Did you give your external drive a letter identification, such as D:/?

also be sure to
Go to Start/Administrative tools/computer management/disk management
>> and right click on the drive and select "mark partition as active".
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
In addition, to the above, which I see you have already read:


Try the USB ports in the back of the computer, they work better sometimes.
For that matter try every available port.
Dont use an extension cable.
Test the hard drive on another computer.

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I think these things have been done.As I said I don't have direct access to the PC myself.The person who does probably did these things as they are relatively easy to think of and he/she is good with software problems. I've asked around some friends and most of them point me in the direction the either windows does not recognize the PHD because it is too new or the USB 1.1 can not recognize the 3.0 on the hard drive...
PS:The harddrive on my PC works well so it's not the problem.
There are only 2 ports on the back of the PC and both have been tried...
 

My Computer

System One

OK dont quite understand, now. I understood that the files are on the external, but the external is not recognized by your computer.
If the files are not on the external, nothing we can do without the old computer.
If my origianl thought is correct my suggestions involve the computer you are using now as well as the external. Take my suggestions and use them now. Your friend probably did not even have access to the new computer.
And probably is not good enough. Try each suggestion, now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
The files are on an old PC using windows XP.The thing that needs to happen is for the files I need to get on the external. I have no problem running the external HDD on my new PC. There is a chance that the person incharge of the data transfer is trying to sabotage me, but I exclude these thoughts for now...
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I wonder if the problem is that the new external drive is SATA and the old system is IDE? Then there's the NFTS vs FAT 32 issue.

Perhaps it would recognize a thumb drive. Might take a long time if you have a lot of files to transfer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
A couple of things come to mind....

1) has the hard drive been initialised in Windows *at all*??
2) does the machine recognise that the USB device has been attached, but not see the drive - or doesn't it even recognise that the unit is attached?
3) was the unit tested on another machine?
4) was the unit correctly connected to the computer *and the powers supply* ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 8930G
wither 3 said:
I wonder if the problem is that the new external drive is SATA and the old system is IDE? Then there's the NFTS vs FAT 32 issue.

Perhaps it would recognize a thumb drive. Might take a long time if you have a lot of files to transfer.
Click to expand...

It makes no difference - the USB connection takes care of the SATA/IDE part. XP can deal with either FAT or NTFS
USB 1 output to USB 3 is still limted to USB1 speeds - it's going to take an age whatever :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 8930G
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