Windows 10: External Hard Drive only shows as VLi Product String from USB??

I plugged an older USB External Drive into my Windows 11 laptop, and it turns on when plugged in because it lights up, it shows up in Devices, but will not open, does not show up in the Explorer, cannot be opened, is called VLI Product String?? Every explanation that I have found for this does not seem to work on my Windows system, and I am confused as to why this is happening?? If someone can give me a working, preferably FREE way to correct this, I would be eternally grateful!!

:)

 

VLI Product String

Hello,
i have an hard disk of my laptop and i need to use it as an external hard disk so,i ordered an lenevo 3.0 hard disk enclosure and when tried to connecting the enclosure with hard disk with my laptop it is not showing in my computer and in the task manager it is coming as VLI Product string.i am not able to access the harddisk.Can u please give me a Suggestion how to make it work?

 

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.