External harddisk (USB) not mounted

robbbert · 08-10-2006, 12:54 PM

Hi, I've bought a new 2.5" external case, put in a harddisk (relatively new, too) and connected it to my PC via USB.

In a prior Ubuntu version (this is on the current one), I've done similar, and the icon showed up instantly on the desktop.
Now it does not. Moreover, dmesg doesn't report it has been found, which should be the base problem.

Other findings / ideas:
+ I've tested the USB port I'm currently using for that harddisk with my USB mouse. That works, and also dmesg reports that a new USB device has been found, and been identified as a mouse.
+ When I plug in the harddisk, the LED light gets "on". Also I can physically feel that the drive is running.
+ Yes, and this is an USB 2.0 external case while parts of my other hardware are pretty old, and that should be USB 1.1. I think they're compatible though, aren't they?

So I believe it's not the hardware - but also not the desktop software layer (I've checked by both using GNOME and KDE).

Any ideas? (Hot kisses for smart answers!

)

Thanks

robbbert · 08-10-2006, 01:07 PM

Code:

robert@ubuntu:~$ sudo lsmod | grep sd_mod
robert@ubuntu:~$ sudo lsmod | grep usb
usbhid                 39904  0
usbcore               130692  3 usbhid,uhci_hcd

^^

michaelk · 08-10-2006, 02:31 PM

USB 2 devices will work with USB 1 controllers.

For USB drives you all need the usb-storage and scsi_mod modules. Check the output of the dmesg command and you should see the drive being recognized and assigned a device ID i.e sdx. (where x=a-z) If this is the only SCSI type device it will be sda. SATA drives are also recognized as SCSI devics.

robbbert · 08-10-2006, 02:52 PM

Thanks very much!

Quote:

For USB drives you all need the usb-storage and scsi_mod modules.

Searching for these terms in Synaptic (my software manager) led to no results. Nevertheless, I really think all required packages should be installed by Ubuntu per default!

Quote:

Check the output of the dmesg command and you should see the drive being recognized and assigned a device ID i.e sdx. (where x=a-z)

I've plugged the drive out and in again, but there's no related dmesg message, unfortunately. Also, there's no /etc/sd... file.
---

Quote:

... if I'd just been paying attention

Now, that's a valid point!

michaelk · 08-10-2006, 03:01 PM

You will not see a device ID if usb-storage is not loaded. Did you check via the lsmod command to see if the modules are loading. If not did you try to load them?
modprobe usb-storage

Check /lib/modules/....

robbbert · 08-10-2006, 03:37 PM

Thank you.

Quote:

Did you check via the lsmod command to see if the modules are loading

Yes, the result is in my second post.
Unfortunately,

Quote:

robert@ubuntu:~$ sudo modprobe usb-storage

results in, that module ain't loaded.

Quote:

Check /lib/modules/....

In that folder, there are subfolders, named like Linux Kernel versions, i.e., "2.6.15-18-386"...

- I really believe my software is of high quality and up-to-date. It should be able to recognize newly inserted USB devices. I've also made sure the USB port works at the hardware side. I'm not sure how to proceed.

Thanks for any input. I need to resolve this at any rate!

michaelk · 08-10-2006, 06:02 PM

When you tried the command "sudo modprobe usb-storage" what happend? No messages means the command completed successfully.

robbbert · 08-11-2006, 01:24 PM

No message: It exists.

In the meantime, I found the device doesn't get recognized by any other PCs I tried it on, either. The next thing I'll check is whether the hard disk gets recognized when built in to a laptop.

The external case was the cheapest I could get. (The price range is from 8 € to 35 €.) I don't think this makes a difference, though. We'll see.

Thanks Michael.

robbbert · 08-14-2006, 06:23 AM

The current state is that the harddisk, being connected via the external case, still doesn't get recognized by a any tested Linux or Windows PC.
As mentioned, the LED is "on" and the harddisk vibrates when being connected. Nevertheless, the device would not appear in the list of devices.

In the meantime, I've put the harddisk into some laptop, and it booted OK. --> The harddisk is undamaged.

The case's model description is 'Evertech USB 2.0 2.5" External Box'. There are two models with this description; this one is the small black box for ~8 €.

The long description tells, the drivers supplied are for Windows 98 only, and the device would work with (any/most) filesystems on Windows, Linux and Mac.

The harddisk contains a double-boot install of Ubuntu (ext3) and Windows (NTFS).

However, the faulting layer, to my understanding, should be the pure hardware detection.

Any ideas? Thanks!

robbbert · 08-14-2006, 06:43 AM

I'm a moron when it comes to hardware... There are two plugs, and with using one of them only, the power supply is not strong enough.