IEEE (Firewire) - Win XP does not recognize external HD

[Lulu]

Hi.

I am running XP Home on a Dell Inspiron 5000 (yep--a
laptop). It's a PIII 600 with 256 MB.

Quite simply, I usually cannot get the unit to recognize
my external firewire HD. I have connected it to the unit
with a PCMCIA adaptor, which I have powered with an AC
adaptor. 6 pin to 6 pin connection to the ext HD.

I have switched the slot the PCMCIA adaptor card is in; I
have changed the configuration of firewire devices
(including, of course, unplugging all except the ext HD);
and I have purchased new adaptor and firewire cables.

I have attempted to solicit support from MS, Dell, and
the manufacturer of the firewire adaptor, but they all
point the finger at one another.

Any ideas?

[Quaoar]

Lulu wrote:
> Hi.
>
> I am running XP Home on a Dell Inspiron 5000 (yep--a
> laptop). It's a PIII 600 with 256 MB.
>
> Quite simply, I usually cannot get the unit to recognize
> my external firewire HD. I have connected it to the unit
> with a PCMCIA adaptor, which I have powered with an AC
> adaptor. 6 pin to 6 pin connection to the ext HD.
>
> I have switched the slot the PCMCIA adaptor card is in; I
> have changed the configuration of firewire devices
> (including, of course, unplugging all except the ext HD);
> and I have purchased new adaptor and firewire cables.
>
> I have attempted to solicit support from MS, Dell, and
> the manufacturer of the firewire adaptor, but they all
> point the finger at one another.
>
> Any ideas?

When the drive is connected, do you see the PCMCIA adapter itself in
device manager? Did you install the drivers correctly for the adapter?