WD External Hard drive not recognized in my computer

WD External Drives WD Portable Drives
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I have run into this with several USB external drives of various make and models.   So far the answer works for all of them.

The problem seems to be one of power to the drive.  When I use a standard USB connection cable (USB mini to USB Standard) the computer indicates reacts in one of the following ways…

1.  it cycles through trying to connect then disconnecting.

or

  1.  it tells me that the proper driver cannot be found.

or

3.  it merely doesn’t recognize the USB device and gives no information.

However, when I have used a unique USB cable then it works with each of my external drives. (so far).

I have a USB cable that connects to the external drive with a USB Mini connector and to the computer with two (2) USB standard connectors.  One of the USB stand connectors is labeled ‘Data/Power’ and the other is labeled ‘Power’.

Once I use that cable then the computer recognizes the external drive, doesn’t need an additional driver and is ready to use.   This works with all 5 of my external drives and all six if my work stations.

Hope that helps!

Thanks,

G