starkers

Try opening computer, and right click on the external, tools, and from there, defrag/optimize.

My optimization program opens when I do that, rather than using the windows tools. Worth a shot.

I use Advanced System Care Ultimate, and choosing the tool as if I were going to use the native windows tool, opens ASC for the job.

Quoting Philly0381,

reply 1

Well that's interesting starkers.  I have three external drives which are in usb docks, one 2.0 and one 3.0.  I also use CCleaner and SmartDefrag and when the docks are turned on I have access to all drives.  I don't have any SSD's installed.  I'm running Windows 10, which I know you are not.  My computer is a desktop.

All I can offer up is what has changed (i.e. new programs or updates) since the last time you ran maintenance and had access to all your drives?

No doubt this is what frustrates computer users the most..........it worked fine the last time you did maintenance so what happened?

I can say this, since I'm not in the same room with you.......have you tried turning off the computer and back on again?

Hope you find what's the problem. 

 

 

I have no idea when this started exactly, nor how it may have been caused.  I've not made any major changes nor installed anything since I last performed maintenance tasks.  It's a complete mystery.   I tried a few System Restore Points to no avail, and even went back as far as when the machine was just days old, also without success.  

Oh well, if worse comes to worst and I can't perform the tasks on this machine, I can just unplug the drives and do them on my big beasty.  That is a hassle, though.  I'd have to unplug everything (hub, USB cables and power adapters because I don't use or need external drives for my main riig) and take it all to the other end of the house to connect it all up there.

Yeah, I have Smart Defrag and Advanced System Care Ultimate set as my default system tools, but they still recognise my HDDs  as SSD drives and will not perform some maintenance tasks.... same with Ccleaner, which will empty the recycle bins for both the SSD and HDDs, but will not wipe the free space due to all drives being deemed SSD andnot requiring it.  Thing is, I like to wipe the free space on platter drives every 3 months or so because it helps them to remain fresh and at optimum performance/capacity.

Well I did that and no luck tbere, either.  Ccleaner and ASC still see the drives as SSDs.  Oh well, it was worth a shot.... and I now know the WEI for this little number is 4.9, which isn't so bad for a tablet-come-laptop.  The lowest score was for gaming graphics, which is irrelevant as I don't do games on here anyhow.

That was one of the first things I tried when I opened up Administrative Tools/Disc Management.  I even went through Device Management, HDD Properties and System Configuration hoping to find an answer, all without luck and why I ended up here.

It has occurred to me that maybe a system file is either missing or corrupt, and that maybe setting the machine back to factory settings could remedy the problem.  I did perform a sfc /scannow, not that it came back with any errors to speak of, though a factory reset may just be the answer.  I really don't want to resort to that after setting everything up just as I want it, so I'm hoping there is another way  It would be somewhat time consuming and something I'd rather not have to do if it can be avoided.

Yeah 8.1 flopped hard it's like vista in that sense.

I usually hit the hay between 1 and 2 AM ....then am up at 7 when Terry gets up to go to work.  I then put an hour or 2 in before going back and catching a few more hours.

'Normal' uptime is about 10 or 11.

Looking after sites that are 16 hours out of whack means my life isn't normal normal...

Quoting DaveRI,

reply 5

Ancient generic troubleshooting step for USB devices which occasionally helps:

Try plugging the device directly into the USB port on the computer instead of running it through the USB hub and see if it works right.

Also, 4 hard drives and a hub plugged into a USB port, I hope the hub and/or the drives plug into the wall - you probably wouldn't have enough power coming out of that poor little computer port to make all of that work right.  Somehow I'm guessing that you have lots of power though...

Sorry, Dave, I missed your post while replying to Philly and RND.... and then Jafo had to chime in with yet another swipe at Win 8.

Anyway, yeah, I did try the drives plugged directly into the USB port.... no difference, they still showed as SSDs.   And yes, all external dives have their own individual power supply.... though occasionally I do plug in a USB powered portable when necessary.

Quoting Jafo,

reply 10

I usually hit the hay between 1 and 2 AM ....then am up at 7 when Terry gets up to go to work.  I then put an hour or 2 in before going back and catching a few more hours.

'Normal' uptime is about 10 or 11.

Looking after sites that are 16 hours out of whack means my life isn't normal normal...

Oh the luxury... going back for a few more hours.  Some people get all the breaks.

As for you not being "normal normal", that's been pretty evident since your love affair with Win 10.

Quoting Jafo,

reply 11

Oh ...first suggestion would be to try an alternate USB port.... not 'just' another front one...try back...

I have tried using different ports, not that there's many on offer.... as in just 2, both of which are on the sides.  Thing is, I don't think it's a USB issue somehow.  I tend to feel it's more a system thing, a missing or corrupt file, and that replacing it will fix the issue.  It's just a matter of kowing whih one.  A factory reset may be the solution there, though I'd prefer not to have to do that if an easier way can be found.

Well then how about running  sfc /scannow, if you haven't all ready, on the computer that is having the problem.  Oops, just read that you had done that, sorry. 

Bottom line....throw out any HP and never buy another...

[I'll stop short at the suggestion that the upgrade to Win 10 will fix it... you might have a fit of apoplexy] ....

Pretty sure it's a driver/mini-port problem then.

Now there's a thought.... which hadn't occurred to me until now..  Thanks for the suggestion, Dave, I'll give that a go after I've snuck in another 40 winks.  Haven't had much sleep over the last 3 -4 days and I'm beginning to feel a bit weary.

Quoting Jafo,

reply 18

Bottom line....throw out any HP and never buy another...

 

[I'll stop short at the suggestion that the upgrade to Win 10 will fix it... you might have a fit of apoplexy] ....

Actually, this HP has been a great little machine that has served me well.  This is the first time it has given me any trouble.... save the fact it refuses to install the Win 10 downgrade., but then that's more a blessing than a hinderance.  The Win 10 files download without issue, but that's as far as it goes and I get some 'generic' message that my product key is invalid, which it isn't. 

A check with HP amd MS confirmed it is legit, with both companies suggesting that a corrupt or missing system file may be preventing Win 10 initialising and writing new files to effect the necessary changes.   Thing is, I never bothered investigating it because I don't want Win 10 on this machine, but now that I think on it, the two things, the rejection of Win10 and my HDDs being incorrectly identified, could very well be related.

Anyhow, I'll try out the latest round of suggestions and see what's what after a snooze.... though I don't think disabling Legacy support in the CMOS is something I'll try as yet.... having repacked my corded mouse and keybord and not wanting to pull out heaps of stuff down in the shed to get at them.

Like  I said... it's either a Win 8.1 OS issue or an Eye Dee 10 Tee issue [tho you usually know what you're doing].

Try uninstalling every Win update since Dec. 7 .  10 isn't the only OS that has updates screw up perfectly good systems.

I assume you've Googled ...