Maxtor 3100 Personal Storage Not Recognized??

[nogeek]

I just bought this today and have been trying to get it to install. My computer will not recognize it. I keep getting a "USB device not recognized. One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned and Windows does not recognize it." fault.

I am getting the correct voltage out of the power supply and the green light at the front of the drive comes on and stays on ( No blinking). I can definitely hear the drive starting to rotate when it is connected.

I went throught everything in the installation guide as far as connecting everything in the correct order, and also "Cycled the power for the drive" as was also suggested numerous times to no avail. Also went to the Windows website and downloaded all the latest updates in case something might have been missing there. I also downloaded the Maxtor diagnostic utility and it told me that there was no Maxtor device connected even though it was connected.

The USB port seems to be working fine, I tried other components in that particular port with no problems. I also tried plugging the storage device into other ports than the one that I planned on using with the same results. It just moved the unknown device designation to other parts of the USB device list.

The computer is a Dell Dimension 4600 with Windows XP SP2 with all of the most current updates installed. Any ideas as to what might be happening?

[jholland1964]

Have you shut down the computer and rebooted to see if Windows can find it?

Try these suggestions from Microsoft;
Use the Device Manager to scan for new hardware. Follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type Devmgmt.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes. This causes Windows to recognize new devices.
4. Close Device Manager and Control Panel.

OR

Disable power management of the USB hub.
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers node, and then follow these steps for each USB Root Hub that is listed:
a. Right-click the USB Root Hub, and then click Properties.
b. Click the Power Management tab.
c. Click to clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box, and then click OK.

[nogeek]

Yes I have rebooted windows several times to no avail. I tried the other suggestions that you listed, but those also did not help. I have been googling this hard drive since I posted this thread and it appears as though a lot of other people are having problems as well. One person has insisted that this drive is not compatible with the Intel 82801 chipset. If that is true, then not many computers will be compatible (including mine).

If I don't get it figured out soon, I'll be returning it back to Staples tomorrow and getting my money back.

[jholland1964]

Yes I have rebooted windows several times to no avail. I tried the other suggestions that you listed, but those also did not help. I have been googling this hard drive since I posted this thread and it appears as though a lot of other people are having problems as well. One person has insisted that this drive is not compatible with the Intel 82801 chipset. If that is true, then not many computers will be compatible (including mine).

If I don't get it figured out soon, I'll be returning it back to Staples tomorrow and getting my money back.
I have been searching also, this seemed to be the running thought through all the comments..."take it back" or "get your money back". This must have some sort of "glitch" in it.

[JohnF]

Click Here (http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.23e58ed30d37e00950347524100000f7?channelp ath=/en_us/Search)

You have to put "Personal Storage 3100" at top in search.

[sharber60]

To connect your new Maxtor personal storage 3100 to your computer, please follow these simple steps. If these steps are not performed in order, the Personal Storage 3100 may not function properly. Powered Cord Connections 1. Ensure that your computer is turned on and is running one of the required operating systems. Plug the one-pin male connecto2. r into the back of the Personal Storage 3100’s DC power-in connector. 3. Connect the female end of the power cord into the power adapter. 4. Plug the male connector from the power adapter into your power source. Figure 1 - Connecting the Power

http://www.maxtor.com/_files/maxtor/en_us/documentation/installation_guides/ps3100_installation_guide_windows.pdf

http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.5d2b41d3cef51dfe29dd10a191346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Support/Product%20Support/External%20Storage/Personal%20Storage%20Family/Personal%20Storage%203100

[N5RDC]

Have you contacted Maxtor support?

http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.e76484b0e7e5f63f04ad2110e2346068?channelp ath=/en_us/About%20Maxtor/Contact%20Us/Customer%20Support/North,%20Central%20and%20South%20America/External%20Storage%20-%20Desktop%20Products