Are external hard drives compatible with all computers?
Most external hard drives are designed to be compatible with PC computers; however, it is always important to check the specifications of the drive before purchasing. Also, some older models may require special adapters to connect them to a newer system.Power supply issues — the external hard drive isn't receiving enough power from your computer. Unstable or corrupt drive — the USB controllers have become unstable or corrupt. Incompatible or outdated drivers — you don't have the latest driver installed for your external drive.If a hard drive can be plugged into your computer, it should work in most circumstances. You'll need to format the drive to use a filesystem that is compatible with your operating system.

Can I put an external hard drive in my PC : Connecting a hard drive to a computer is simple. Just plug it in, then turn the hard drive and computer on. USB and Thunderbolt connections are the most typical connections for external hard drives. There may be some that have FireWire or eSATA, but those are becoming obsolete.

Will a Seagate work with a PC

Seagate USB external drives are designed, tested and supported to work with desktop and laptop computers.

Does it matter what external hard drive I buy : Arguably the most essential specification to consider when buying an external drive is storage space. It does no good to buy a high-speed device with encryption and remote access if it's not big enough to store all your data.

Try Another Cable, Port, or PC

If the drive still isn't working, unplug it and try a different USB port. It could just be finicky with your specific drive. If it's plugged into a USB 3.0 port, try a USB 2.0 port. If it's plugged into a USB hub, try plugging it directly into the PC instead.

First, check that the drive is properly connected – if it's not, fix the connection and try again. If the drive is connected but still not showing up, try formatting it to the NTFS file system. If that doesn't work, try changing the drive letter assigned to the hard drive.

Do external hard drives work on laptops

External hard drives are a breeze to use. Once you've plugged them in and found them on your computer, you can simply copy files onto the hard drive by clicking and dragging them into the Finder or File Explorer window. This creates a copy on your hard drive, while leaving the original on your computer or laptop.The best external hard drives for gaming will offer you a bit more than a typical HDD drive can. Today's USB-C SSDs are in a class of their own, and there's simply no competing with them if you're still using a spinning disc drive tethered to your PC or console.You won't get the performance of the best SSDs for gaming since those are internal options, but external SSDs will be better than the console's HDD nonetheless. If all you need to do is keep files and media secure, then a larger-capacity HDD will do you just fine.

Try connecting the drive to a different port on the computer. If possible, try using a different cable. Try using the drive on a different computer. Verify the drive light is on.

Do I need to format Seagate external hard drive for PC : Unless your drive says 'for Mac' on the front of the box then the drive will be formatted for Windows. In Windows-based computer, there is no need to do anything special or additional to make the drive work.

Should I buy a cheap external hard drive : After all, that extra space won't be doing any harm, and it could come in handy in the long run if your storage needs expand. Ultimately, if long term storage is what you need, consider a larger but relatively cheaper external HDD. For working professionals or where speed is a priority, an SSD is the way forward.

What do I need to know before buying an external hard drive

Keep these essential points in mind:

  1. Price.
  2. Storage technology.
  3. Storage capacity.
  4. Connection type.
  5. Power requirements.


Your USB controllers may have become unstable or corrupt. Your external drive may be entering selective suspend. Your PC motherboard may need updated drivers. Please try to install all the Windows and driver updates and try again.Reasons for Windows not recognizing USB devices

In the case of a storage device that produces this error, for example, you won't be able to access important files. The reasons for the error can be a driver problem, a damaged USB device, or improper settings. Some of these issues are easier to fix than others.

How do I get Windows 10 to recognize my external hard drive : What to Know

  1. Plug the external hard drive into your PC using its USB cable.
  2. Type This PC into the search bar to open File Explorer. Select the external hard drive from the list.
  3. If the hard drive doesn't show up, check the cable and USB port for issues. It's also possible the drive is dead.