Problem with USB external hard disk

[gE3k]

I've bought WD passport essential 250GB 5 months ago , and it was working perfectly till today, I found a balloon error message popped up from Taskbar saying that there is a problem in delay writing then the computer hanged.

After restart I didn't find the HD partitions in my computer, and I found unpartitioned space 120GB in Computer management (although the hard disk is 250GB)

I didn't try to create partitions

after several times of uninstalling USB drivers in Device manager and restarting, It showed add new hardware wizard and asked for a driver, I tried to automatic search for the driver in Windows installation CD and didn't find anything, and downloaded the hard driver (for w2k) from WD support and didn't continue install.

I reinstalled XP, and at the end of installation (remaining 9 minutes) it hanged and worked only after unplugging the hard disk,

and The new windows XP keeps asking for new hardware driver..

I also tried another cable (my Nokia N95 cable which has the same pins) and got the new hardware wizard

I tried to delete the driver cache file from INF folder in windows and plugged another USB drive (Kingstone data traveler) to build up the drivers and the USB pen drive worked and tried to plug the HD and it asked for driver (the wizard)

I plugged the HD to another port and it showed up that it is installed a mass storage. and also installed in device manager.

I tried to open computer manager but the computer hanged and after minutes it showed up an error message says "close the driver door" something like this.!!!!! (it has no doors)

sometimes when I try to restart windows while plugging the HD, it stops at the first screen which shows primary and secondary devices.

and don't start the computer till i remove the power from PC for couple of minutes.then turn it back on

May be this HD is not suitable for hard work because I used to plug the HD and use it as a storage for the last five months and my PC works 24/7.

The problem that I bought this WD HD from Dubai and I live in Egypt now. so there is no warranty option for me

Are there any suggestions or solutions for my WD USB HD?

Thanks in advance

EDIT ----

I put my ears on the HD, and I hear the HD motor is working then stops then working, likes it powers on and off again and continuously, in the same time it hangs my windows.

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Edited November 30, 2008 by gE3k

[i_was_here]

Have you tried checking the disk for errors? You can use Western Digital's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic?

You could try taking out the drive (from the enclosure) and connecting it to the computer. You might need adapters though since its probably a 2.5 inch disk.

[TheKindred]

It sounds like the drive is faulty, but one other thing to try is to hook it up to another known good computer. If you can replicate the errors on another system then the drive is faulty.

[gE3k]

thanks i_was_here, and Shokran TheKindred for reply and suggestions

I got it working, I'm happy now :)

I tested it on other computers and worked perfectly

I found that the power supply was very hot, and that its fan wasn't working, and the power was consumed in heating

I added another fan and it is working now perfectly

Regards

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

On the ext drive? I'd have RMA'd it at 5 months old!?