Can't write to external USB WD Elements or My Book drives

[LSZ]

I have two external HDs that I simply can't write to anymore.

WD My Book Essential 640 GB (worked great the first several months but now the problem is occuring)
WD Elements Desktop 1 TB (Brand new)

Both are NTFS. The My Book has been recently formatted.

Whenever I try to copy files over, it will eventually freeze up and lock up my entire computer. The time on the transfer will stop and you can see no files being transferred. Reading from the HD is fine and I can actually transfer over from the External to my PC without any problems. It's just going the other way that it locks up. Sometimes I can get a few files through but it'll always lock up eventually.

I'm starting to think this is an issue with my PC and/or settings for something? I've tried every single USB port too and it's the same. I haven't had any trouble with USB mouse, keyboard, ipod, wireless network receiver or any other USB thing. My desktop is definitely several years old, it's a Pentium D, with 2 gb of Ram. It was formatted a few months ago, but the problem was already going on before the format.

I've also run WD's diagnostic programs with no problems found on the drive.

Any ideas?

 

[95Viper]

It would help a little if you could fill out your system specs in the user cp (user control panel).

Try using a different cable.
Uninstall any software and/or updates recently added. Or, I you are using Windows restore... try restoring to a point before the problem started. Other than that, you might need to re-install your OS.

 

[LSZ]

It would help a little if you could fill out your system specs in the user cp (user control panel).

Try using a different cable.
Uninstall any software and/or updates recently added. Or, I you are using Windows restore... try restoring to a point before the problem started. Other than that, you might need to re-install your OS.

Well I think I kinda figured it out, even though it's not the most convenient solution.

These problems started when I moved and at that time I had to get a wireless adapter. I bought one of those Belkin USB wireless N adapters and use that. I tried unplugging that and putting the HDD into the usb port. I managed to transfer over 12 gb of data uninterrupted. No errors in the system viewer either as I was getting the "Event 51" errors before.

Is this possible for different USB things to conflict with each other? And is there any way to get around it?

 

[95Viper]

Yep, anything is possible. However, even though I have heard and read on this forum of conflicts in usb devices, I have never experienced them. Guess, I am lucky.

Plus, you stated the problem was going before you formatted, then try re-setting the bios and make sure , if you have the option, to turn on support for usb legacy devices in the bios options.

If it still does it after a format and re-installed of a fresh OS, then it is not the OS itself. I would suspect hardware or device drivers, if you are installing the same device drivers each time. Try locating the latest drivers for your USB devices and install them one at a time, until and if, the trouble returns. Might help to narrow down the culprit.