Can you run two USB Based external drives on a laptop at the same times?

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,590
edited February 2010 in The Clubhouse
I have two 1TB WD Element drives -- basically one to mirror the other, how can I access these two drives simultaneously? My computer sees one as a drive and one as a disc drive when both are plugged in?

I can unplug one and it will see the other -- but only then.

Guess I can't do what I want exactly?
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2010
    You should be able to see both at the same time if they are formatted correctly.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2010
    I'm doing this right now, but I have a MacMini so your setup may be different.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2010
    I'm guessing you have the WD software which is making it appear like a CD drive.

    Again, depends on how the drives were formatted.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2010
    Is it possible they're both trying to use the same drive letter? I've had that happen to me before, and I had to reassign one before both could be seen.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,590
    edited February 2010
    I changed the drives letters and have partitioned both drives - all "4" drives have different letters
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited February 2010
    Are they running on the same USB Bus? I had an issue trying to run an external drive and my card reader, which the computer sees as separate drives. Once I plugged it into a different USB bus, it worked fine. Course mine was a Desktop, so I had multiple options.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2010
    Could possibly be WD drive software making it appear as CD drive. I had this happen with a thumbdrive. Format both as NTFS and you should be ok from there.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2010
    I may be asking a silly question, but: Do you have more than 1 USB port on your laptop?
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2010
    Another question - are the drives individually powered, or powered off of USB? It could be a power issue.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bdaley6509
    bdaley6509 Posts: 1,167
    edited February 2010
    Right Click My Computer and go to manage, disk management. Make sure the other drive is initializing properly. Be careful, however, because you could inadvertently wipe your data if you're not careful (although you do have a mirror of the data, so that's good).
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • John30_30
    John30_30 Posts: 1,024
    edited February 2010
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    I have two 1TB WD Element drives -- basically one to mirror the other, how can I access these two drives simultaneously? My computer sees one as a drive and one as a disc drive when both are plugged in?

    I can unplug one and it will see the other -- but only then.

    Guess I can't do what I want exactly?

    What setup or software are you using to mirror via USB?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter