Please hope me: my Linux machine cannot boot when my external drive is connected: it can't get past POST tests when USB legacy is enabled, but it also can't mount the drive when USB legacy is _not_ enabled. :( [more inside]
posted by xmutex on Nov 21, 2009 - 12 answers

Why is it that when I transfer files from an external hard drive to my laptop's hard drive via USB 2.0, the speeds are so much faster than transferring files from one external hard drive to another (5 mins vs. a few hours for 1.5 GB)? I think it might have to do with the fact that the external drives use different file systems (NTFS vs. FAT32). Is there any software that could speed things up?
posted by matkline on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

Vista 64bit has recently stopped recognizing my iPhone and WD MyBook external HD...please help! [more inside]
posted by pghjezebel on Feb 8, 2009 - 5 answers

I have an AirPort Extreme with a printer and two external hard drives connected via a USB hub. Quite frequently one or more of these USB devices won't appear in the AirPort Utility and I can't access them. Rebooting sometimes helps. Where does the problem lie? [more inside]
posted by krunk on Jan 29, 2009 - 10 answers

How can I change the generic name "USB Mass Storage Device" in my Vista system tray "Safely Remove Hardware" dialog? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer on Dec 30, 2008 - 6 answers

External hard showing "weird". Better known as, sharing an external/portable hard drive between osx and winxp. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl on Jun 23, 2008 - 10 answers

My external hard-drive's on the fritz. What can I do to make sure I get all my data off it before it goes? [more inside]
posted by djgh on Jun 3, 2008 - 5 answers

Can I use my external digital camera while its connected to my Mac? [more inside]
posted by duckus on Apr 27, 2008 - 6 answers

I think I'm finally switching to Ubuntu on my main machine. I have two 160GB external drives, currently both with NTFS, currently mirrored (by software, not a RAID). With what and how should I format/use these guys? [more inside]
posted by tmcw on Mar 14, 2008 - 8 answers

I have a big external USB hard drive with three partitions for infrequently used files and backup. I was wondering what kind of file to make to have it automatically open a folder showing the drive when I power on the device and not ask me what I'd like to do with each of the other drives. [more inside]
posted by royalchinook on Feb 21, 2008 - 7 answers

I've recently purchased a new external USB DVD drive, as I do not have a floppy drive or internal CD/DVD drive on this windows PC. I am trying to set it up now for dual-booting Solaris+Ubuntu but, even after updating the BIOS (Phoenix 6.00) I cannot boot a USB drive. First, does anyone have a way I could somehow add USB drivers as a boot option (along with XP), so that I can then add Solaris and Ubuntu (making it four options at boot)? [more inside]
posted by christopherbdnk on Dec 26, 2007 - 9 answers

Calling to the hive mind! Is anyone aware of a (reasonably priced (sub $150)) external hard drive (or, better, HDD enclosure) that meets the following specifications? [more inside]
posted by TrueVox on Dec 15, 2007 - 6 answers

The DVD writer in my laptop seems to be dying. Although it can still read pre-written DVDs and CDs, it has problems reading home-burnt DVDs. Am I right in thinking that if I buy an external (USB) DVD writer, I can open the enclosure, swap over the mechanisms and effectively end up with: 1. A new writer installed in my laptop, and 2. A slightly dodgy external DVD reader?
posted by Kiwi on Nov 17, 2007 - 9 answers

Leopard / Time Machine / External Drive Filter: Looking for a new 2.5" external. How big should it be if my internal is 120 gigs? Firewire or USB? [more inside]
posted by dino terror on Nov 4, 2007 - 22 answers

Need to copy a VM image to multiple external hard drives. How can I automate this? [more inside]
posted by deeman on Aug 13, 2007 - 7 answers

External Hard drive USB device not recognized, how do I fix? [more inside]
posted by complience on May 26, 2007 - 9 answers

Can XP Pro be installed on & booted to from an external USB HD - from different computers - without too much complicated adjustment? [more inside]
posted by bartleby on Feb 12, 2007 - 14 answers

How can I find out what application is locking my external USB drive in Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by antifuse on Feb 5, 2007 - 11 answers

Why can I use a usb drive interchangeably between my Mac and PC, but not an external drive? [more inside]
posted by horsemuth on Jan 11, 2007 - 8 answers

My external USB Hard Drive is freezing my PC! [more inside]
posted by Kiwi on Jan 12, 2006 - 4 answers