File transfers to external USB Drives occasionally fail

ChuckBytes

Reputable
Jul 7, 2015
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During larger files or many files being transferred to external 3.0 USB HDD's, the HDD will disconnect or stop working and need to reboot to bring it back.

This question has been asked so many times yet I don't see a consistent solution.
This is a pain because I have 8 of these WD blacks in two bays and I want to use them as backups.

I started a 62gig file transfer to a 2TB HDD and when it reached about 50% the drives shuts down or connection fails.
Does anyone know if there is a solution to this. Many suggestions are related to USB 3.0 power or host controller issues. I've downloaded host controller software but nothing happens. in some cases it tells me no host controller is found.

I've tried everything I can think of, if there are any suggestions, i would sure appreciate your input.

System =
Intel i7-4930k
64g RAM
500 g SSD
256 g SSD
1TB WD Black
Asus GTX 980 GPU

External bays
8 x 1 and 2 TB WD blacks connected via USB 3.0 cable.
 
Solution
Hey there, Chuck.

I'd recommend that you backup any important data you may have on that drive just to be on the safe side. Then try the HDD with a different USB cable (not longer than 12") and a different computer if possible, to see if the same thing happens. Also try different USB ports (2.0 and 3.0). I'd also suggest that you download the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tool and test the drive to see if there's anything out of the ordinary.

Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD
Hey there, Chuck.

I'd recommend that you backup any important data you may have on that drive just to be on the safe side. Then try the HDD with a different USB cable (not longer than 12") and a different computer if possible, to see if the same thing happens. Also try different USB ports (2.0 and 3.0). I'd also suggest that you download the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tool and test the drive to see if there's anything out of the ordinary.

Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD
 
Solution
The part with the cable length is not "the most" important thing of all, so this is OK. The more important thing is that you've tried it with different cables and you know that the same thing happens, so it's probably not a faulty USB cable. Besides the USB 2.0 port, please run the tests from the diagnostics tool, to see what's the situation with the HDD and if any errors or bad sectors pop-up.