External HDD on a USB 1.1 laptop

8 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/external-hdd-on-a-usb-1-1-laptop.80687/

my friend recently bought a 160 WD external HDD, he then connected it to his laptop which is very old and has a USB 1.1, the HDD was not detected.

i told him that it might be cause the hardisk is not compatible with his laptop.
i tried the same harddisk on my PC it worked.

now is there any way we can make it work on his laptop?

there are usb2.0 add-on pci cards available but I dunno how they will fit in a lappy.

chicha said:
my friend recently bought a 160 WD external HDD, he then connected it to his laptop which is very old and has a USB 1.1, the HDD was not detected.

If he is using Windows, is it 98 or XP? If 98 then he has to install the USB mass storage device driver

Update:
USB mass storage device drivers for Windows 98 with instructions

*img217.imageshack.us/img217/9472/pubthefuture2cisopen466cr4.png

NucleusKore said:
If he is using Windows, is it 98 or XP? If 98 then he has to install the USB mass storage device driver

*img217.imageshack.us/img217/9472/pubthefuture2cisopen466cr4.png

yup

he is on XP PRO with sp1. he said he will fresh install windows xp again, and then try.
i will ask what happend today and post.
thank you.

^oftopic

how did you get that image into your sig?

chicha said:
^oftopic

how did you get that image into your sig?

Just click on it

You'll get the site, and btw, thinkdigit does not allow such large graphics in the sig, if you see carefully, its above the sig.

*img217.imageshack.us/img217/9472/pubthefuture2cisopen466cr4.png

It most prolly seems the USB port is not able to supply the HDD with sufficient power. If the HDD cable has a dual-head usb connector then connect it to another usb port. If not then use an external adaptor provided the hdd supports it.

To get usb 2.0 speeds your fren can buy a usb 2.0 pcmcia card.