External drive no longer recognized

[toph314]

Using a Maxtor external drive that, while the light is flashing as normal when connected, the computer seems to not be recognizing.

All indications seems to suggest the USB ports are good. Not getting an icon for the drive on my desktop. My music library is also stored on it and iTunes set to reference it when launched. That's not finding it either.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[hughvane]

Two possible reasons:
1. the drive itself is failing or has failed (despite the fact that it's spinning)
2. the control bridge in the ehd enclosure has failed.

Have you tried the usual quick remedies, ie. switched the USB cable ends, tried a different (new) cable, changed switching order (drive first, computer second)?

Report progress, so we can consider other remedial options.

[toph314]

I have tried swapping USB cable ends (I assume by that you mean, swap the plugs in the different ports). Have also tried starting computer before plugging in drive and starting computer with drive already plugged in. Both to no avail. Have not tried new cable.

[hughvane]

Is your Maxtor externally, or USB-powered? Externally is recommended.

In your situation, I'd remove the drive from the enclosure, and try connecting it to your Mac with an adaptor, like this Amazon.com: USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE Cable Adapter For 2.5 3.5 HDD: Electronics. If successful, you can extract the files you need/want.