problem with external hard drive

[ttheb1]

I just connected a 1TB external hard drive to my computer and it successfully loaded with no problems. I deliberately tried to use up all of the G-bytes on my computer to see if the external drive would work. I got a message saying that I didn't have enough space to continue on with the movie that I was ripping. I tried to get it to kick in but couldn't. What do I have to do to make the external hard drive work? Shouldn't it just kick in automatically? Thank you for your reply.

[aedipuss]

it's most likely listed as a separate drive. it's additional storage but it has it's own drive letter. if you want to copy/save something to it you must specify it's drive letter/folder where you want the info to go.

[ttheb1]

Can you please reply further as to how I can do this. I'm not sure what you mean by its drive letter/folder. Thank you for your reply.

[TreeTops]

I have never had a external hard drive "kick in automatically"

[ttheb1]

any suggestions how I can get the external hard drive to work?

[Calidore]

What system are you on--Windows/Mac/Linux/BSD/etc.?

Also, more detail about the software you're using and the steps you're taking would be most helpful.


Best,

Calidore

[aedipuss]

what happens when you plug in the drive? does the computer load it and say your hardware is ready to use? if you double click on my computer is there a new hard drive listed?

[hech54]

any suggestions how I can get the external hard drive to work?

What part of "I have never had a external hard drive kick in automatically" didn't you understand?

[dwero]

What system are you on--Windows/Mac/Linux/BSD/etc.?

Also, more detail about the software you're using and the steps you're taking would be most helpful.


Best,

Calidore

Does the hard drive has relationship with operating system? I am wondering

[deadmeow]

I think what you are saying is that you tried to rip a DVD to your new external hard drive? And it said "not enough free space". Very likely your hard drive is formatted in FAT32 format, rather than NTFS. The reason many flash drives and external hard drives are formatted like this is for speed gains, but FAT32 has something like a 4 gig file size limit, where most DVD's are over 4 gigs.

NTFS does not have this ~ 4 gig limit. I would suggest right clicking on your new drive, and select format, choosing NTFS.

Following the new format, try again to copy your DVD.

[ttheb1]

I am using windows 7. My external hard drive shows that it is formatted in NTFS (default setting). When I plug in the drive my computer loads it and says the hardware is ready to use. When I click on my computer it shows that there is a new hard drive listed. How can I specify its drive letter/folder so I can copy/save something to it?

[hech54]

How can I specify its drive letter/folder so I can copy/save something to it?

You need to go to the local community college and take a Basic Computer class.

[victoriabears]

Given your level of knowledge it might be considered surprising that you got the external hard drive attached !

Hard drives are seperate storage options not treated as continuous storage available , so you have to tell the software where to store what you are working on. Look under my computer or computer and you will see drive "C" and your external listed as drive "D" or some other letter.

[ttheb1]

These remarks are directed to the last 2 replies I received from hech54 and victoriabears. Hey, I was just answering the questions that were put to me. You don't know how lucky I feel having such brilliant, considerable, and compassionate computer geniuses like you two helping me with all my trivial computer problems. I wish I could be as smart as you. I thought this forum was here to help people and not to insult them. Do me a favor next time, if there is a next time, if you don't have anything constructive to add then I would appreciate you keeping your juvenile criticisms to yourself and don't bother me with them.

[hech54]

if you don't have anything constructive to add then I would appreciate you keeping your juvenile criticisms to yourself and don't bother me with them.

I farted.

And you still need to go and take a Computer Basics class.....or dare I say...buy one of those "Dummies" books.