After recent re-install of vista I cannot access my external 160 GB hard drive as it does not show on "my computer", have gone to both computer management & device manager in control panel & they both list it there but despite trying different USB ports & re-booting etc it refuses to show in my computer, have checked driver & it shows as the latest & OK help!! Please

Try right clicking on drive in device mgr and choose uninstall and say OK

Go up to tools and "scan for hardware changes" to see if it can be found, when found let it search for drivers and check explorer again to see if it shows up

Any chance disk came with cd

Seahawk,, tried all that but to no effect drvive still not shows in explorer or my computer!!

Did the drive work before reinstall

Did it ever work after reinstall

Have you tried to connect this drive to another PC to see if recognized

I know it is recognized, but give add new hardware a shot

What is the make and model of the drive

Also check in device mgr under universal serial device controllers and make sure there is a listing for an enhanced controller, if nothing listed for Enhanced Bus Contoller - post make of motherboard mfg you have

Seahawk thanks for reply, re: your last posting
1 yes drive did work before re-install but not at all after
2 have connected to my other PC ,windows XP ,same on there although it did used to work on there also
3 have tried add new hardware but could not find it in add new hardware
4 external drive is TrekStorDataStation maxi n.u 160 GB ( have tried their site but they do not seem to offer driver downloads)
5 in device manager I have standard enhanced PCI to USB host controller ( which have checked for uptdate for driver & o k )
6 as for mother board mfg I do not know where to get that info (sorry to be such a thicko! )

Thanks seahawk for taking this trouble

2 have connected to my other PC ,windows XP ,same on there although it did used to work on there also

If not working on other PC and did before, it would seem to be the drive itself



You can download belarc and you will find all info about your PC
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html)

Seahawk thanks for all your trouble, seems I going to have to accept it died, just such a coincidence it happened when I changed to vista,, anyway thanks and much appreciated,, ta ! As we say in england... thanks a lot