Question for the IT Gurus

[Andrew G]

This could be in the running for the most boring question asked on the forum, but here goes anyway.

I've just picked up a new PC laptop in the sales and want to transfer some files on to it.
I saved them on to an external USB hard drive but how do I get Windows 7 to recognise it? It doesn't when I plug it in. Is the only way to initialize it? This would wipe the data though wouldn't it?
I use an ethernet router for my internet access so could try and work out how to network my old G3 iBook to it to copy the files (which I did from the iBook to an old desktop PC before so could probably work it out again), but I trimmed them down to the ones I want when copying to the hard drive so don't really want to have to do that again as they are in a bit of a mess on the Mac. Trimmed down it's still about 30 GB of data so a bit much for repeated disc burning and copying that way, a last resort but very much a last resort.

Thanks,

Andrew.

[Paul H]

It should auto detect it. Did you get any error messages? Have a look in device manager and look out for any yellow flags and see what they say.

I dont mind having a look at it if you bring it round.

[Andrew G]

It did auto detect it and install the required driver, and I can see it in the Device Manager, but I can't see it in Windows Explorer to actually access the files on it and copy them over.

Am I missing something or not doing something simple?

I may take you up on your kind offer if I can't sort it out, ta.

[Paul H]

It should assign it the next available drive letter - usualy E:

Right click the device in device manage and select properties and see if all ok. Also look in Disk Management and see if it shows up there.

[Elliot M]

possibly it's trying to assign a drive letter that's already in use. this means it doesn't show up. can't remember the solution but try google along those lines?

[Andrew G]

Thanks for the help guys. I've done some googling and rummaging around the machine and think it might be because it's a very old extenal HD (cost £200 for 40GB to give you an idea of its age) and needs the manufacturers software to work properly, hence the machine is recognising the USD device but can't access the data. I've been meaning to get a USB/key drive thingy as they are so cheap now so will work around copying to that from my iBook (which has the HD software installed before I lost the CD many yaears ago) and then copying over to the new laptop.

[Roy Green]

How about putting the ancient external drive back on your equally ancient Mac, then burning the required files/folders onto CDs? (Yup-this is getting to be the most boring post ever ...

[Andrew G]

It would take 40+ CDs Dad! I've ordered a 500GB USB external drive from scan for £50 so will be able to sort it all out and then have a drive big enough for a full back up drive for the laptop.

Can close the most boring thread on the ACC forum now .