I have a new external multimedia hard drive and my computer does not recognize it. I am using Windows XP. It appears on the task bar but the only option there is "safely remove device". I tried the suggestions offered to right click on "my computer" - go to computer management and there it is - it says Disk 1 and has a "busy"sign over it. Written "unknown" and in the box next to it is written "unallocated". Another suggestion suggested going through the Control Panel to administrative tools and there to Disk Management - only Disk management does not show up there.
A very frustrated lady with a brand new toy that doesn't work. Thank you in advance for any help.
Eva

...has a "busy"sign over it. written "unknown" and in the box next to it is written "unallocated".

I'm not sure what you mean by a "busy" sign, but "unallocated" is an indication that the disk has not been partitioned and formatted. Drives must be partitioned, formatted, and allocated a drive letter before use using the Disk Management tool. Did you get any installation documentation with the drive?


Another suggestion suggested going through the Control Panel to administrative tools and there to Disk Management - only Disk management does not show up there.

Disk Management is within the Computer Management applet within the Administrative Tools group within the Control Panel on the Start Menu. From your description, you were already there.

It does need to be formatted.

Is it seen in windows explorer? If so, right click on it and choose format

If still problem, you would need some type of partitioning software to allocate the space and then format it.

It does need to be formatted.

Is it seen in windows explorer? If so, right click on it and choose format

If still problem, you would need some type of partitioning software to allocate the space and then format it.