Kruse Kronicle

Sometimes I Really Hate Technology

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by

mwkruse
in ,

Wdfpassport_portable_1 ARRRRGH!!!

I have a Western Digital 120 gig Passport Portable Drive for my laptop. I just purchased a new laptop a couple of weeks ago. To move the data between two other computers and the new one. I have loaded considerable info onto the pocket drive. I have been consolidating and rearranging the data storage but have not moved everything on the drive to its final destinations.

Last night, I was working away and went to access something on the drive. The computer couldn't find it. The same thing happens with the other two computers. The light on the drive comes on. Its sinister little motor quietly hums away. The device manager shows that it is attached and working properly. I just can't access it. ARRRRGH! Tech support was just as mystified as I am. ARRRRGH!

I am now waiting for the data recovery firm to call. Much of my critical data is safe, but I really want things on this drive. ARRRRRGH! Yet it just sits there …. mocking me … sneering at me with its little blue light! Sometimes I really hate technology.

ARRRRRGH!

DOUBLE ARRRRRGH!!!

Comments

7 responses to “Sometimes I Really Hate Technology”

  1. Virgil Avatar
    Virgil

    Those drives do not require drivers to be recognized or work, so it’s either a cable problem or the drive is bad. If you can replicate the problem on other machines I would definitely try another cable.

    Reply
  2. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    I have tried another cable and it worked the same on all three computers. I am 99% certain that something is screwy with the drive itself. It gives every indication of being functional except it isn’t listed in “My Computer” or anywhere else as an available drive.
    ARRRRGH!
    🙂

    Reply
  3. Virgil Avatar
    Virgil

    Doh! Sorry dude! I feel for ya…that’s why I keep 3 copies of all my data. If you are semi-technical, pop the box open and you will find a standard laptop drive inside of it. You can connect the drive to a mini ide to ide adapter. It’s likely the drive (disk) itself is fine, so the data is recoverable…you just have to find a way to get to it.
    For about $29 you can get another extrnal case at best buy and pop the drive in a new case and get it working that way:
    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7831741&st=external+drive&type=product&id=1142296681366

    Reply
  4. PJ Avatar
    PJ

    These are the times I have to resist throwing things out the window. These are also the times I wish for the more simple times when we just couldn’t find what we wanted because we misfiled it, in our paper box.

    Reply
  5. Nate Avatar
    Nate

    Try this … if the disk format or cable has been corrupted somehow … boot with a Linux liveCD and plug it in. Linux has some very good drivers for mounting mangled windows disks.
    Plus … it only costs downloading and burning a CD.

    Reply
  6. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Virgil and Nate, thanks for some options. I will try these out but probably not until after Christmas. The data on the drive is not urgent, just important. I’ll probably try the Linux idea first, ide drive second, and placing it on the rail of train track in front of an oncoming train third.

    Reply
  7. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    PJ, I have always loved the expression.
    “To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer.”
    I usually love tech stuff, but not right now. 🙂

    Reply

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