Can anyone explain why my new Toshiba external hard drive does not work with my desktop but is fine with my laptop? I suppose it is just another case of a computer being a computer.

It’s probably because you’re using a usb type 3 cable, does your pc have usb type 3? If not then try using a different cable. The type 3 cable connecters are identifiable by the blue inside the connector.

17 hours ago, novacova said:

It’s probably because you’re using a usb type 3 cable, does your pc have usb type 3? If not then try using a different cable. The type 3 cable connecters are identifiable by the blue inside the connector.

Yes, my PC does have a usb type 3 cable.

Just now, NoshowJones said:

Yes, my PC does have a usb type 3 cable.

 My tower has 4 connecters one of which has a blue inside it, I tried the external hard drive in it and it worked, thanks so much.

I too have a 1tb HDD from Toshiba bought a couple of years ago,worked well for a while then suddenly stopped for no reason that i can find, does not show up my computor etc. have tried all manner of differant disk checks, usually it does not even show up, on windows disk management it shows up as disk1 but will not inialise so cannot proceed any further, think it must be Toshiba fault, as i have a much smaller less well known HDD that has worked without fail for may years, any help?

I got a couple of new external m2 SSD's a while ago and couldnt get them to work, I could see them in disk manager but could not progress from there. I ended up using a program called EaseUS, super simple and fixed them, in my case it was essentially a basic format of the disk which disk manager for whatever reason wouldnt allow me to do. 

 

I know your issue is slightly different but this program might help, as it could see and change the ssd properties.

 

My external hard drive is on the blink again. This time when I am watching something it just cuts out without warning, it is impossible now to watch any TV show without it cutting out.

On 12/11/2025 at 5:12 PM, novacova said:

It’s probably because you’re using a usb type 3 cable, does your pc have usb type 3? If not then try using a different cable. The type 3 cable connecters are identifiable by the blue inside the connector.

Unfortunately, type 3 USB cables and sockets do not always have the blue colouring, but they will have the S/S SuperSpeed marking. It's a shame because the blue is so easy to spot. They could also use different colours for 3.1 and 3.2, but they rarely do.

1 minute ago, Jaggg88 said:

Unfortunately, type 3 USB cables and sockets do not always have the blue colouring, but they will have the S/S SuperSpeed marking. It's a shame because the blue is so easy to spot. They could also use different colours for 3.1 and 3.2, but they rarely do.

Orange on my pc = usb3 with power always on.

On 12/17/2025 at 10:11 AM, Taxi said:

I got a couple of new external m2 SSD's a while ago and couldnt get them to work, I could see them in disk manager but could not progress from there. I ended up using a program called EaseUS, super simple and fixed them, in my case it was essentially a basic format of the disk which disk manager for whatever reason wouldnt allow me to do. 

 

I know your issue is slightly different but this program might help, as it could see and change the ssd properties.

 

Thannks i have tried the easeus drive you mentioed it does not even see the my TOSHIBA HDD, though i can feel the disk spinning and that's about all must be something to do with the pick-up or whatever it's called,thanks again for your help.

8 minutes ago, maxcorrigan said:

Thannks i have tried the easeus drive you mentioed it does not even see the my TOSHIBA HDD, though i can feel the disk spinning and that's about all must be something to do with the pick-up or whatever it's called,thanks again for your help.

Try AOMEI Partition Manager....free. It works well for me.

9 minutes ago, Will Iam Not said:

Try AOMEI Partition Manager....free. It works well for me.

Thanks have tried AOMEI which is a good one it shows up as dsk1 but that's all, will not inialise so cannot go any further Thanks for your help.

Did you try other USB ports on your desktop?  

 

Did you try a different cable connecting the drive and the desktop?

 

Also, try plugging in the drive to the desktop and restarting the desktop.