External USB Hard Drive either error in formatting, or error in recognizing the device

[TabascoTurtle]

Hi,
So I recently found a USB hard drive I need to use (I believe it is empty, or if it is not, I don't care about the stuff on it). However, I've plugged it in to my PC and it says either did not recognize the device, or error formatting the device in drive E. It doesn't show up in my computer, disc manager, device manager, and I couldn't find it in BIOS. I'd love some help, because the sooner I can use this the better.

And an EDIT: This seems to work on my little laptop. So I'm now copying over the network to my laptop onto the HDD. But an easier solution would be more preferred.

 

[USAFRet]

"recently found"
Is this something you owned and forgot about? (I've done that)
Or is it something you 'found' ?

Possibly the enclosure is broken. Or plug it into a different USB port.

But if it is something you 'found', why would you plug a random drive into your PC? Major virus vector.

 

[TabascoTurtle]

"recently found"
Is this something you owned and forgot about? (I've done that)
Or is it something you 'found' ?

Possibly the enclosure is broken. Or plug it into a different USB port.

But if it is something you 'found', why would you plug a random drive into your PC? Major virus vector.

I meant as in from my garage type thing. Not just a random drive, no.