Windows 7 LaCie External disk drive not visible

[billybarrio]

Hello,
I am experiencing the following issue on my system and have been unable to find a solution so far.
I have connected a LaCie 1TB External Disk drive on my system and the disk randomly disappears from my system and is no more visible and accessible.

Depending on the connection type the following happens:
· eSata: The disk sometimes appears after a reboot. After a certain period of time, which seems to be randomly, the disk disappear from the system. In the Disk Management the disk is flagged as "Missing" and it is impossible to reactivate.
· Firewire: Same as for eSata but when it works, the transfer rate is very low ( 1 MB/sec)
· USB 2: Works fine.

The disk (still on warranty) has been sent back for a review to LaCie support, but no change since the return and I have no help from their support on this issue.
The system is fully updated and I have not found any alternate driver on the LaCie Support website.
The LaCie disk drive was used to work perfectly before on my previous system using windows XP.

In the bios, the disk is seen as HITACHI HDS 721010KL330 SCSI Disk drive.

System description:
Mother Board: Asus P6T Deluxe V2 X58 (socket1366)
CPU: INTEL Core 17- 920 2.66ghz( Socket 1366)
Internal disk drives:
· Maxtor SATA 1000Go STM31005280AS/G
· Maxtor SATA 500Go Diamond Max 23-STM3500418AS/G

Graphic card: CVASUS ENGT-220-1 GB-DI-LP PCI Express
Windows 7 64 bits

Thanks for your help if any idea.
Billy

Disk: http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11016


Windows 7 Compatibility: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Details.aspx?type=Hardware&p=LaCie%20Neil%20Poulton%20Hard%20Disk%201TB%207200RPM%20External%20Hard%20Drive&v=LaCie&uid=301315U&pf=1&pi=4&c=Storage%20Devices&sc=Hard%20Drives%2c%20External&os=32-bit

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you're facing a frustrating issue with your LaCie 1TB External Disk drive randomly disappearing from your system. The symptoms vary based on the connection type, with eSata sometimes working after a reboot but then randomly disappearing, Firewire having low transfer rates when detected, and USB 2 being the only reliable connection. Given the details you've provided, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to address this problem: 1. Driver Updates: - Check for the latest driver updates for your LaCie External Disk. Even though you mentioned that the system is fully updated, double-check for any specific LaCie driver updates. 2. Power Management: - Ensure that power management settings aren't causing the disk to power off after a period of inactivity. Adjust the settings to prevent power-saving features from affecting the disk. 3. Connection Stability: - Check for loose connections, both on the drive itself and the computer ports. A loose connection could be causing intermittent connectivity issues. 4. USB Port: - Since the USB 2 connection is working fine, consider sticking to this connection if possible. You could also try different USB ports on your computer. 5. BIOS Settings: - In the BIOS, under the storage settings, ensure that the drive is recognized correctly. You might also want to check for any specific settings related to external drives. 6. Compatibility Check: - Confirm that the LaCie External Disk is fully compatible with Windows 7 64-bit. Check the manufacturer's website for any specific compatibility information. 7. External Factors: - Consider environmental factors like temperature or power fluctuations that could impact the drive's stability. Ensure the drive is on a stable surface and adequately ventilated. If these steps don't resolve the issue, it might be worth reaching out to LaCie support again, providing them with detailed information about the problem you're facing. They may have specific troubleshooting steps or solutions tailored to their products. It's also good that you've mentioned the model of your motherboard, CPU, internal drives, and graphics card, which can help identify any possible compatibility issues. If the problem persists, contacting LaCie support again or seeking assistance from a local technician might be the next course of action.