External HD Froze Computer

Okay, so I have an external HD which is the OEM HD that I replaced and now use it solely for backup. The external HD case has an eSATA and USB 2.0 port.

The other day I connected it the USB to run a backup and noticed a chirping noise, and that is was not recognized by Windows. I therefore connected it to the eSATA port to run my backup my whole computer froze, i.e. keyboard, screen, power button everything (the screen remained). I had to disconnect the power before it would start again. Any ideas on the problem?

Does the chirping mean I should trash the HD? It sits in a drawer except when I run the biweekly backup; and the HD did work from the USB.

 

The chirping sounds a bit odd. I have ONE eSATA external HDD and use it all the time. Basically connect eSATA and then power supplied by one USB port. If connected and working properly...then windows "connect ding" should tell you it's connected and autorun will pop up a window. If you are not getting the "connect" sounder and chirping is coming from the drive...perhaps the drive is dying...A bad drive might cause the freeze. I had a drive go bad on me, when connecting to my desktop USB 2.0 and it froze that machine, like yours

 

Great and thanks for the rapid response. However, now I have an even more pressing problem. It seems I'm having problems turning on my computer: When I depress the power button nothing happens, and the battery light (which comes on for a few seconds after being plugged in) does not illuminate. When I take out the battery, the notebook powers on. once on, it operates as normal. Do you think these two are in some way related?

I had this power on problem back when I first bought my notebook, but no solution I tried would work. HP finally replaced the motherboard under warranty after many, many, return shipments and complaints.

Incidentally, HPs Support Assistant system analysis indicates no issues. And battery status is OK.

 

OK...I just had an entire system replaced over something similar. I had an issue where I had to power up...only power light would light up...then had to power down...count to five and power up again...battery in or not...and that was after a motherboard replacement. Something funky about what is going on there....sounds like you have an issue only when the battery is installed. If you remain plugged in AND the battery is in...does the machine start? If yes...then I suspect the battery, whether support assistant says good nor not. If no...then your battery is causing some sort of drain or short.

I had my original Envy totally replaced because the repair depot was to replace the motherboard, and FOUR issues came back...one worse than the other. I would call concierge and challenge them to diagnose your problem...even if they have to send you another battery...

One step at a time...should tell the story

 

No, it will only start once I remove the battery.

Funny you should mention that; it was my first thought as well. And HP also replaced the battery during my first ordeal with this situation.

Before, once I plugged in, the battery light would illuminate for a few second then go off. Now it's partially dimmed/illuminated all the time. I hope it's just the battery faltering.

 

I would defiantly say your battery is the problem, I have had similar problems with my stock Envy 15 battery but it's very old so I know it's time to replace it. Sometimes when I have the battery in and the notebook plugged in the notebook detects that the battery is there but acts as if it's not. It won't charge and will power off if I unplug it. Batteries can be troublesome at times, good thing they're cheap and having a spare is always nice:]

About the external HD though, I recently purchased a 1TB USB 3.0 external and sometimes have trouble with it. When I copying over ~10GB worth of files it likes to freeze up on me too, usually it's just the external but the notebook runs slow and has a hard time canceling. After some messing around I found that some files would just not transfer correctly, and would always freeze up. The files would work fine but for some reason could not be transferred over -___-

 

Today I depressed the power button on battery and it cranked right up. I hate it when my notebook does these weird things. But I guess times will tell what the true problem is.

Still, it's very frustrating when you can't depend on when your notebook will work, and when it will be on the fritz. I sincerely hope it's just the battery.

I hate this critical point when you don't want to put money into a notebook who's life is half over but not yet ready for a new one. I still need to get another 14 months out of this portable.