P-7811 FX: Windows 7 (x64) does not show my Seagate FreeAgent Go external hard drive

Anyone got this problem before? I was using the hard drive fine from Vista and just upgraded to Windows 7. The devices shows it recognizes the drive but My computer does not show it.

I think this is driver problem so I installed INF_allOS_9.1.1.1015_PV.exe Intel chipset driver for Windows 7 but still no go.

My Windows 7 Ultimate is official (MSDN subscription). Anyone knows a solution for this or I will have to go back to Vista again...

Thanks.

 

mmm, make sure that your external drive has not been assigned a drive letter which is shared with a network drive or virtual cd drive.

Use Administrative tools in the control panel, choose computer management and select disk management (under storage). This will give you all the drives assigned to drive letters, if you see your external hard drive there, try to assign a different drive letter to it and see if that works.

 

The Disk Management does see my disk however whenever I want to do something on it (change drive path etc) it pops up the error (see attachment). I think this is chipset driver issue? What driver should I upgrade?
In the Device Manager there's a yellow icon which is on a Volumn Manager device... so I think this is driver issue..

 

anyone else?

 

Did the drive function properly under Vista?

Does the drive appear on the Win 7 compatibility list? If so, Can Seagate offer any support assistance. If it is not on the list and Seagate offers no assistance you may be SOL.

I don't use an external USB drive but I assume a 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon is supposed to appear on the Win Task Bar. Does the icon appear on the task bar. If the icon is present, have you removed the drive and re inserted it? I assume it appears under Device Manager since it is seen by the drive manager. If so, can you go into properties and 'uninstall' the device then reboot and follow the proper first install instructions from Seagate. I know USB devices can be problematic and care needs to be taken during install and troubleshooting procedures that proper sequences are followed, even in this day and age.

Perhaps you know something I don't but the .inf file you reference seems to be for Intel desktop boards. Do you think the .inf files are valid for the Gateway P-78 board and Intel pm45 chip set?

Silly question I know, but have you check Gateway for latest chip set drivers?

Whatever happens, best of luck to you.

 

Thanks for trying to help.

Yes the drive was fine under XP, Vista, and on the other Netbook that runs Vista.

I'm not sure if the drive appears under the compatible device list, but it's a Seagate FreeAgent Go External hard drive, it's so popular out there.

The 'Safely Remove Hardware' appears in the taskbar and I have tried to remove and reinsert it so many times, each on a different USB port but it does not work. The drive is recognized by Win7 (Windows driver installation is performed whenver I plug the drive to a different USB port).

I have never had to install a driver for an external hard drive, or an USB stick. My USB stick has the same symptom, recognized, but not seen in My Computer. However I tried many ways from uninstall, upgrade driver etc but still no go.

The Intel package I posted is the chipset driver for P7811. Worked on Vista but not Windows 7. Unfortunately Gateway does not have chipset driver for Windows 7 yet.. so I guess I'm an way-too-early bird and take the damage.

 

I have to ask, since this is a 2.5 portable and you are using it on a notebook are you using a Y cable. Maybe the port is plugged in and recognising but the drive needs more power than any one usb port is providing.............

 

Info and troubleshooting from Seagate regarding your issue....if you haven't already seen it. It's on Vista but the process would be the same. At least that error msg. is referred to.

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/c...=208631&SelectedNodeAbsExtId=n619l607n627l617

Here's a link on Win 7 mass storage driver issues that may get you going.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19411_102-0.html?threadID=329597

 

Mine is a straight cable, not a Y one... I also tried to plug it directly into the notebook (not through any USB hub), it does get recognized, but I still can't see it in My Computer.

 

Thanks for the Seagate link.. I got error coed 28 which means the device may work on another computer which it does. So I think this is a Windows 7 driver issue... or I need to wait for Gateway to get the chipset driver for Windows 7...

 

That currently does appear to be your fate. Again, best of luck cat.

 

So I finally figured out how to fix this.. I right click on the yellow item in Device Manager, Update Driver..
I browse to C:\Windows\System32 for drivers and Windows somehow install the driver for me.. Now I see it in My Computer.
This is weird though.. but now it works...
Thanks all who tried to help

 

That is strange. Congrats.