How to get my computer to recognize external hard drive

[Alessandro Cavaliere]

Hello,
I have a problem with my external hard drive (Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive). It used to work perfectly on all laptops, but after a while it started having problem and asked for reformatting. I did reformat the device but after a while my laptop started not to recognize it anymore. I have tried it on other laptops and it doesn't work either.
When I connect the hard drive to the laptop, there is a blue light on it and I can hear a mechanical sound from it.
I have tried to search it on Device manager but I can't find it in there. Thank you for your help.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Is it shown in Disk Management but without a drive letter? No? Then test it with SeaTools:
http://www.seagate.com/gb/en/support/downloads/seatools/seatools-win-master/

 

[digitaldoc]

If your hard drive is not working on multiple devices, in all likelihood it is not good anymore. You mention it is making mechanical noises, but are these the normal sounds, or louder and signs that it is failing?

In all likelihood, it will need to be replaced as they only last 3 to 7 years in general, especially if they are carried around.

 

[D_Know_WD]

Hi there Alessandro Cavaliere,

You could also check out whether you see the drive in the BIOS? Though, if it is not working on multiple devices, it may have gone bad as digitaldoc already suggested.

You can test it with HDD diagnostic tool and eventually RMA it if still in warranty.

D_Know_WD