New technology: I recently purchase a new desk top computer in order to use lightroom with all the new features. My computer was 13 years old. I realize things have changed but now my...

Cowpaty

I recently purchase a new desk top computer in order to use lightroom with all the new features. My computer was 13 years old. I realize things have changed but now my external hard drive with all my photos don't want to work on it. External drive is 6 years old? Too old for new computer,(I guess?)). Everything is pointing to cloud service that cost more and more. How is everyone handling there photos these days? Are you going to the clouds?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Windows or Mac? Does the drive connect via cabling? Does the operating system recognize it?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I recently replaced a 12 year old desktop.
My old WD Passport USB drives work fine with it, as does my USB HD dock.

I'd NEVER store "working" files in the cloud, I use the cloud only for disaster recovery backup.
All my working files are on my computer, right now on internal drives.
But I have two WD Passport externals that I use for local backup in addition to the dock.

When you say "don't work", what does it do???

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

I use SSD drive for my internal pc drives and an external "spin" drive for my local backups. I also added a cloud backup (Backblaze) for cloud backup. Windows pc. Works well for my post processing and local storage needs. The SSD for my C drive was a big improvement in startup time.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Cowpaty wrote:

I recently purchase a new desk top computer in order to use lightroom with all the new features. My computer was 13 years old. I realize things have changed but now my external hard drive with all my photos don't want to work on it. External drive is 6 years old? Too old for new computer,(I guess?)). Everything is pointing to cloud service that cost more and more. How is everyone handling there photos these days? Are you going to the clouds?

Your old drive should certainly work with your new computer. What is the connection style? And no, I've not pointed myself at cloud services for primary storage.

You say that the external drive is not working. Do you mean your computer does not see it when you use Windows Explorer? Or, do you mean, that Lightroom is not seeing it? There can be a difference.

Cowpaty

It keeps losing connection to the external drive, but it still.works great in the old computer?

Cowpaty

PC and connectd by USB 3. The UsB is also connect to power, Segate 6T

Cowpaty

Yes, Lightroom is different, just the fact it keeps losing the connection.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Cowpaty wrote:

PC and connectd by USB 3. The UsB is also connect to power, Segate 6T

Are you using the Computer USB ports?

Have you tried a powered USB expander?

Sometimes a device cannot supply a ton of power to a bunch of USB devices.
If a USB device has marginal power it will work sporadically, sometimes not at all.
I have a powered 4 or 5 port expander that supplies power to the devices.
Static port expanders (that aren't powered) are only really good for keyboards and mouse (very little power requirements).

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Cowpaty wrote:

It keeps losing connection to the external drive, but it still.works great in the old computer?

Sounds like a cord gone bad.

btbg

Cowpaty wrote:

I recently purchase a new desk top computer in order to use lightroom with all the new features. My computer was 13 years old. I realize things have changed but now my external hard drive with all my photos don't want to work on it. External drive is 6 years old? Too old for new computer,(I guess?)). Everything is pointing to cloud service that cost more and more. How is everyone handling there photos these days? Are you going to the clouds?

I have a NAS with 128 terrabyte of storage that I archive everything to. I also put everything on portable hard drives which are stored at a separate location in case something were to happen at my house. Do not currently have any cloud storage, although may add some in the future.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

bsprague wrote:

Sounds like a cord gone bad.

Real good possibility.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Does the external have its own plug in power supply an addition to the USB connection?

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

I just upgraded after maybe 12 years USB are all backwards compatible as wall as SATA1 ,2 and 3. I have 4 external hard drive 2 SATA drives in an enclosure and they all have power supplies. Only my little potable drive is powered by USB. My new computer sees them all. Cable problems can be intermittent, swap cables.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Cowpaty wrote:

I recently purchase a new desk top computer in order to use lightroom with all the new features. My computer was 13 years old. I realize things have changed but now my external hard drive with all my photos don't want to work on it. External drive is 6 years old? Too old for new computer,(I guess?)). Everything is pointing to cloud service that cost more and more. How is everyone handling there photos these days? Are you going to the clouds?

Use a POWERED USB hub for the drive. The usual problem is lack of USB power to an outboard drive. Most people run into this when using laptops with external, power-hungry USB connected drives. Also, some drives CAN work on USB power OR with an external power supply. You might need a power supply for the drive, in that case.