Is there a way I can access files on my external hard drive?

Question

I backed up my dying eMac on this new external hard drive that I got last week. For some reason, it does not show up when I plug it into my USB port. It use to work when I plugged it into my USB port, and it doesn't show up on any other computer I plug it in either.

I'm afraid I lost a lot of information. Is there anyway I can fix this?

Answer 1

did you try to "run" it from the start menu? I had one die on me too. I heard that it is pretty common.

Answer 2

before you do anything download/buy a recovery software such as O&O recovery, (make sure they're mac compatible), to restore files. If you are forced to format before you can use the software, all may not be lost as some allow you to recover files despite the formatting but the longer you leave it apparently the harder it is to recover stuff.

next does your drive show up anywhere else on your computer? Go to disk management in 'manage' when you right click my computer. Or look in my computer and in windows explorer. Or click 'run', browse, then my computer. See if you can access it from anywhere there.

Answer 3

Try to plug it on different kinds of machines running on different windows version ( windows xp, Service pack 2, 3, vista)

This is to verify.

Try to plug it on a laptop too.

It might require some drivers from windows to open.

The default windows one is USB 2.0