External hard drive USB loop.

[Manny Cav]

I tried to install my USB-connected 80 GB Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition onto a Windows XP computer. I plugged it in, and the taskbar showed that it appeared to be doing something. Tinstructions say:

Step 2 - Install the Software

The installation software is located on the OneTouch III Mini Edition. The following steps will guide you through the installation procedure.

Highly recommended - Copy all files on the OneTouch III Mini Edition to your local hard drive.

1. Click Start → Run. Browse to the drive letter used for the OneTouch III Mini Edition's drive letter and open Launch.exe.

2. From the RUN window, click OK.

Note: If an Autoplay window opens for the drive, select Open folder to view files, click OK and then double-click Launch.exe.

3. The following window displays. Select your Language.

Now, the trouble starts after Windows "finished installing the new hardware." When I plug it in, I never got an Autoplay window, no new drives ever appeared in My Computer, and I can't find any new drives through Run. I can't access the installation files! Is there a way I can get out of this dreaded loop and get into the contents of this device and run "Launch.exe?"

[Atariangamer]

...is autorun turned off?
did it come with a disk? browse the disk for a driver file, if you have one.

[Manny Cav]

I'll check the Autorun thing. And, no, it didn't come with a disk, just the external hard drive, a USB cable, and instructions.

[Atariangamer]

...This happens to my dad, my granddad, my other granddad, and almost every adult male around the world. Don't kill me if I say this...

Did you read the instructions?

If that doesn't work, go to the tech support for the product.

[Manny Cav]

I read the instructions, and the official help for this product isn't too helpful (it makes several assumptions which are not true, e.g., "This will probably not appear" when it does, in fact, appear). Also, how do I set Autoplay for devices like external USB hard drives in situations like this?

[Atariangamer]

hmm...mebe you need to get some new drivers. go to a drivers website and type in your product. or maybe you just need some new usb drivers.

if you still can't figgure it, go to forums.techguy.com
they can help you with alot of good stuff, including virus attacks, OS problems, crashes, sound cards, not working hardware, and whole bunches of stuff...you will just have to wait for the answers...

[GameMaster]

use a Lexar Firefly USB. much faster, but less space.
works on my win2000pro with no problems.
thanks to it, ive been playing doom in school, only to have the school techician (old grumpy guy)  consificate it in what he claimed was 'suspicion of a virus'. Big BS. i told him it was a violation of my privacy and argued and it escalated into something ugly.
i digress.
well anyways you can get it from office max for about 22 bucks.

[Manny Cav]

If it provides less than 8 GB of file space, then no-go there (and even that wouldn't be enough for the future...).

[Loremaster]

You don't want to do it with a Flash RAM based system, as FlashRAM becomes unstable after extended use.

[GameMaster]

If it provides less than 8 GB of file space, then no-go there (and even that wouldn't be enough for the future...).

lol its only 2 GB 
you should get one of those external portable hard drives.... tons of space there.

[Manny Cav]

That's essentially what I have -- a portable 80 GB hard drive that connects to computers via USB ports.

[GameMaster]

oh i thought you was having one of those small flash drives.....my bad