Windows 10: Access to Ext HDD

I found that to use my Ext HDD, I needed to go to the Control panel and declare it as a Backup Storage device. Prior to a week or so ago, all I had to do was plug the ext HDD into my laptop via USB. But now that I have declared it a Backup device, I am still unable to see it in File Manager. Are there even more steps needed to see the Drive in File Mgr? BTW, I have been unable to access my 2 other ext drives. They evidently died at the exact same time. One was only a few months old. I know things fails but 2 at once is hard to believe,Suggestions?TIA

:)

 

utilization of a ssd and ext. hdd in similitude

Hi DaveM121,

Thank You! no problems just learning- baby steps to understand saving and recalling large data from external hdd while actively using music recording ssoft studio apps or video -whatever. Thats great you responded and i understand the concept of sdram
32gs temp mem for active apps and being able to utilize the ext hdd. i guess i can instruct the options? in an app to save and retrieve data from the disk drive ext.

Thanks, I dearly appreciate the info.

M5

 

Cannot see my ext WD 2 TB HDD


Ran into this problem transferring media files from my laptop to the WD ext hdd. Both USB 3.
"My Book", my 2 TB WD ext HDD I cannot be seen on my laptop nor my media mini pc
I found it in Disk Management. It is shown as Disk 2. It has a black streak all the way (full?) It has excess of I,8 TB used and indicates that it is unitialized.


I have attached a snipper capture of the disk management page.

How do I get the ext HDD to function without losing all my media? I am not technically savvy, but can follow step by step advice.

Thanks

 

unlock hdd