Bought a Transcend Storejet25M3, cant get it to work?

[carling220]

Hi there

I ordered a transcend 1tb storejet 25m3 external HD. Great reviews. Delivered it, and it won't work in my PC. I plug in the USB, and it lights up, yet nothing happens. When I try and open my computer to search for the drive, it just goes incredibly slow and the window basically freezes. The rest of the PC works fine, though.

Any experiences? I did notice in the manual it says some USB ports may not provide enough power. It says use 'both ends of the USB Y-cable'. I can't see a Y cable, unless i've dropped it. I will look for one.

Is this the issue, power, or is it something else? Any experience with this be very appreciated.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Is it plugged into a USB 2.0 port?

The drive is a USB 3.0 drive, and some 2.0 ports don't provide enough power for external hard drives. Plug it into a USB 3.0 port or powered hub if possible.

 

[carling220]

Thank you for your quick reply. It was in a USB 2.0 you were right. Basic error, I wasn't aware of the power requirements. I put it in a usb 3.0, and my keyboard suddenly stopped working. So I re-arranged and messed with all USB ports, putting the external HD in USB 3.0 and now it works. Thanks!

Potentially I messed up the wiring for the USB ports when installing the new MOBO. That being said, on my old mobo, I would turn on the PC and occasionally my mouse/keyboard would not be connected, requiring a reset.

Perhaps it is malware or some driver issue, I haven't reformatted in 4 years (hence buying external HD).

Thanks again

 

[BlueWeasel]

USB 3.0 can be finicky at times. It's supposed to be compatible with 2.0 devices, but I have found that isn't always the case. If you can, only use 3.0 devices in the faster ports.

I'd also try updating your USB drivers.

 

[carling220]

OK, thanks.

Another thing i've noticed, since I used the external HD, even after it's disconnected, windows 7 is behaving funny and slow. The desktop isn't updating when things are deleted. And also mainly, when browsing to say, my computer, downloads, any window really, it goes really slow. This only started after I used the external HD.

Any idea why this would happen?

 

[coercitiv]

The desktop isn't updating when things are deleted. And also mainly, when browsing to say, my computer, downloads, any window really, it goes really slow. This only started after I used the external HD.

Correlation isn't causation, not yet anyway. You might want to make sure your USB wiring is done right, since what you described should not normally happen: devices should not stop functioning when connecting something to another USB port. Also, while some USB 2.0 ports did have a tough time starting external HDDs because of their startup power requirements (they use more power when they spin up the platters), SSDs have significantly reduced power requirements and should work on most USB 2.0 ports. The StoreJet specifically states USB 2.0 compatibility.

 

[carling220]

OK thanks, maybe it's not set up properly. I did install a new mobo recently actually so possible.

I don't understand why windows 7 can't explore properly any more, 'my computer' won't load for a long time.

 

[carling220]

Well, school boy error. I never installed the USB 3.0 driver from the disc that came with my motherboard......after doing this, it works now.

Although the transfer rate to my External HD is only 35-50 mb/s...USB 2.0 speeds according to google.

Maybe I didn't connect the motherboard properly. It will take 5 hours to transfer my games from steam now lol. If USB 3.0 was functioning correctly google says it can transfer at nearer 500mb/s.....

 

[myocardia]

Although the transfer rate to my External HD is only 35-50 mb/s...USB 2.0 speeds according to google.

That's the best you're going to get, until you upgrade to Windows 8.x. Windows 7 doesn't support USB 3.0 speeds, unfortunately.