External hard drive not displaying.

topmanamillion

About 6 months back I put my old laptop harddrive into an external harddrive caddy. It worked perfectly until I lost the screws and cable for the caddy. I only got around to buying a new one today and it isn't showing up on my laptop.
I've also tried to use my sister's old hard drive in it.
The thought has crossed my mind that both hard drives may be broke but I doubt this as mine was working before and a combination of a charging and screen issue killed my sisters laptop.

What I've tried so far;
I've checked in computer manager and in This PC for the hard drive - nothing there.
I've tried different USB ports - no luck
I've restarted my computer - no good
I've checked DYNAMODE website - it has a strange cable with one USB to go into the external harddrive and 2 for the computer ports. Followed instructions to the letter. - didn't work
The DYNAMODE website told me any operating system above an XP doesn't to install any drives - mine are up to date anyway.

Other info
The caddy is a DYNAMODE 2.5" external SATA hard disk enclosure - 9.99 in PC world
http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/dynamode-usbhd25bn-25-ide-usb-20-hard-drive-enclosure-black/313190/403.4.5
I'm using Windows 10
Neither harddrive is encrypted

What I'm thinking;
The caddy is the problem
Maybe I need a more powerful one: would a 3.5" one make a difference?

Anyone have any solutions?
Thanks

mordeith

topmanamillion wrote: »

Maybe I need a more powerful one: would a 3.5" one make a difference?

3.5" relates to the size of the hd i.e. a desktop one.

You could put your old hd into your laptop (if you are comfortable doing that). If it boots to BIOS and can see the hd then you know it's the caddy is the issue.

topmanamillion

mordeith wrote: »

3.5" relates to the size of the hd i.e. a desktop one.

You could put your old hd into your laptop (if you are comfortable doing that). If it boots to BIOS and can see the hd then you know it's the caddy is the issue.

They both passed the harddrive test (smart check and short DST) not sure what they mean though.

mordeith

topmanamillion wrote: »

They both passed the harddrive test (smart check and short DST) not sure what they mean though.

When and how did you test?

bpb101

Go to Computer management -> disk management and see can you see it. If you can, assign it a letter( whatever letter you want)

riclad

put it into your laptop ,
first take power cable out of power slot .
you,ll have to take oof the drive cradle .and switch it around.
i have an old laptop drive,
it only works in a caddy with its own external power supply .
look in start menu, control panel
Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management.* Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management, and then look for the new drive.

do not touch under side of drive ,the hd pcb.
hold drive by the sides .

topmanamillion

mordeith wrote: »

When and how did you test?

Put them into my laptop last night

degsie

USB connected drives often get messed up with drive lettering. So yeah, assign a new drive letter and you should be sorted.