Buffalo usb external hd problem

[mikefred]

Running MS Windows XP Home SP3. I was using a Lacie Extreme via a Firewire 400 cable but the drive started to tick (like a clock) and the Firewire stopped working. It's been replaced by a Buffalo USB 2.0 which should have been plug and play. However when left connected and the PC is hibernated or shut down at subsequent boot up initially the screen flashes with a logo then goes blank and nothing further happens. Disconnect the HD and reboot no problem then reconnect the HD it can be seen and works fine. Any help would be appreciated.

[Dalo Harkin]

Set the PC in the power options to never hibernate - or spin down the drives etc.

The reaon it happens is to reduce the power consumption and that turns the disks off too, and some can be awkward wanting to come back out of hibernation - most peoples Wireless adapter does the same.

I personally would just turn the options off and never hibernate - and when not using your pc - turn the monitor and speakers etc off

[mikefred]

Many thanks. Changing the power options to standby solves the problem when powering up from standby. However the problem still exists when re-booting from shutdown. (NB when the Lacie drive was new it was connected via the Firewire and never touched until it went wrong 3 yrs later.) Forgive me for being naive but could something have been corrupted when the Lacie drive went wrong? Would much appreciated any further help.

[Dalo Harkin]

I doubt something corrupted, it seems more like their is an issue with the configuration itself -

Do you have the latest Service pack and updates - there may be an optional update available in windows update for the drive.

Other than that I cannot think what is happening - are all your USB devices doing this or just the HDD?

[mikefred]

Thanks Dalo. All other USB devices are ok. Windows is on automatic updates so SP3 is installed and seems to get regular updates would this include the possible update to which you refer? Is it possible for the config to change without manual intervention?

[Dalo Harkin]

If and when you check for updates - there is a section that says - optional hardware updates - if there is one it will be in there -

I would not think that the config would change - thats not to say it cant but it is very unlikely

[mikefred]

There were 5 Opional updates for Hardware and I have installed them. 3 Software updates do not appear to relate to this problem so I have left them out. The problem still exists after the update installation, Buffalo say it's a BIOS config problem. Is it possible for you to help me check the BIOS config?

[RP1980]

Hi I have come on here to post exactly the same problem, When I boot up my PC with the drive attached Windows doesn't load, I get a blank screen. Disconnect the drive and it loads fine.

 

I am only running SP2 as had many problems with SP3 and had to uninstall it. mikefred can you let me know if you figure it out?

 

Thanks!

Edited December 15, 2008 by RP1980

[RP1980]

OK, I've solved this little mystery. For reasons unknown my PC changed the Boot Priority of my hard drives to boot the external HDD first and the internal second.

 

I changed this though BIOS. Select the 'BOOT' tag, 'BOOT DEVICE PRIORITY' sub-menu, then select 'HDD GROUP BOOT PRIORTY' and put your internal HDD back to the top of the list to boot first.

 

I guess this has happened to you too, must be something with the setup of the Buffalo drives.

 

Problem solved!

[Dalo Harkin]

Thanks for helping out RP1980 :)

as we always say members shoudl try and help out where they can and this is a prime example.

 

RP1980

[mikefred]

Thanks RP1980 & Dalo. Joining this forum has been really worthwhile. Just as RP1980 said the Buffalo drive had somehow put itself to the top of the list (even though Buffalo support said it could not happen!) It certainly didn't happen when I was using the Lacie drive so it must be something in the Buffalo software. Anyway many thanks from one happy fella:)

[Plastic Nev]

Strangely enough, I recently bought and connected a Buffalo 500GB unit, however on first connecting and setting up I changed the file system from FAT32 to NTFS. Mainly because I will be using it to hold large video files, especially in the summer when the weather is good enough for decent video recording. So far my external HD has behaved itself, but I will keep an eye on it now I know this sort of thing could happen.

Thanks to RP1980 for finding it and suggesting the way to correct it.

We can mark this one as solved.