Maxtor External hard disk

[timothydanaos]

I'm a bit of a linux noob. I'm having problems using my external hard disk. Its a "maxtor personal storage 3200". the file format is ntfs. i was using it on vista before. i have Sabayon 3.4e installed my laptop, inspiron 9400. it doesnt pick up the hard disk at all when its plugged in(via usb).i can't access it at all. other usb devices are automatically picked up.
I previously had ubuntu 6.06 intalled and that picked it up fine so it looks like the drive should be perfectly compatible with linux.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Edit: 4.e to 3.4e otherwise everyone wants 4.e LOL

[WarraWarra]

There can be several things causing this.
Hardware related:
the ata sata cable connection from the hd to the usb hd enclosure can be damaged they do die sometimes so might need to get a new cable but would only happen if the enclosur has been opened a few times and the hd removed = wear and tear on cable and can not see the damage.

Software:
The MBR is messed up and can be fixed with UBCD or in windows with "Acronis disk director" demo or payed for version while in windows.
Just see if there is info on the hd and backup what you need then run this software above and fix or erase and repartition it.

Why:
One copy of win xp did this as well and worked in that xp but nothing else could read it with the default install /create new partition.
Vista / ntfs needs to be very specific and some other partition / erase utils incorrectly from unstable erase / partition software write a funky MBR and this makes it tough for SL to read / other distro to read. Also use the default of fat32 or default ntfs ? 4k not sure to format / erase / partition with nothing fancy like 64k ntfs vista might have issues with 64k ntfs.
Several persons coming from rpm based distro's / windows has had this problems.

I had to once resize the usb maxtor I have to 50% then create a new partition ntfs + copy files from resized to new partition and then erased the original remaining partition as not to loose my info and this worked as well. Best option = del all partitions and make new ones.

Hope this helps.

[timothydanaos]

Your comment on hardware made me check the disk was still working. it turns out its broken. it must have been dropped or something. it doesnt work on any system now. thank you for your help