Windows 10: Can't access external hard drives from my laptop or my notebook.

Hello all.

I have just read a post but it does not reach my situation, quite.

I have an ASUS notebook and an ASUS laptop and a couple of external hard drives which I needed to add storage space to help with Windows updates, on the notebook because it's got very limited storage.

Now, a common issue I have is, despite both machines recognising both drives (never plugged in at the same time as I only have 1 cable to connect), I can't seem to get on to view what stuff I have on. One of the 2 drives I stored some images on a while ago but I can't now get to look at them. I think it's a setting or something but have no clue as to what to change to gain access. When I look at the safely remove hardware control I see the drive, when it is connected, the lights flash blue and it seems to work (doing some sort of back up or something as it does something every 1 1/2 hours or so) so either machine recognises the drive when connected but I just don't see it on my computer or find a way to access.

Can someone help???

Thanks

J Morris.

:)

 

Seagate External Hard Drive

Hi Barbara,

Hardware failure or corruption within your system files are some of the possible reasons why you are experiencing an issue with accessing your external hard drive. For us to provide an accurate solution, we would need you to answer the following questions:

• Which build, version and edition of Windows 10?
• Are you experiencing the same issue when you are trying to access the external hard drive using another PC?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?

In the meantime, we suggest running the automated troubleshooter for hardware. Follow these steps to do so:

• Open the Control Panel.
• Using the search box at the upper right corner of the window, type troubleshooting.
  
• From the search results, click on Troubleshooting.
• Click on Hardware and Sound and then choose Hardware and Devices.
• Once done, restart your computer and then check if the same issue persists.

We are looking forward to your response.

 

External Hard Drive

Hi John,

We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

• Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
• Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.

The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

Let us know if you need further help.

 

External hard drive not recognised

Thanks for this. I've done what you suggested and been through all the steps mentioned in the article. The hard drive works fine on a Mac computer, and I've managed to copy the information on it. It must be a Surface issue so I'll try to get a chat line tomorrow.