Installed new external HD; now computer does not see MD

[Tokend]

PROBLEM SOLVED: (In posting the following problem, I stumbled upon my own solution, so I no longer need help on this. I post the origninal problem and solution here, though, in case someone else can benefit.)

PROBLEM:

I'm hoping someone can help. Recently, I installed an external hard drive (Seagate FreeAgent), via Firewire 400. The drive comes up as drive N:, and all is well. However, upon starting SonicStage 4.0, I find that SS can no longer see my MZ-RH1. I think the RH1 used to be drive N.

What's worse is that the computer, itself, can no longer see the RH1. When I connect the USB cable to the drive, WinXP boops and the RH1 springs to life. Device Manager shows "SONY HI-MD WALKMAN USB Device" as enabled and working properly. However, no drive letter has been assigned, and I can't see the RH1 in Explorer. I have rebooted and cold started. Still, no MD.

SOLUTION:

The problem was that Windows was using the same drive letter for two purposes: for the RH1, and for a shared network drive. I could see the network drive in Explorer under the drive letter, but not the RH1.

To fix this, go into Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. Select Storage > Disk Management. Find the confused drive letter assignment in the display of Disks. In my case, the RH1 showed up as Disk 6, drive letter O: (same as the network drive), and "965 MB Healthy." Well, inasmuch as the network drive is much bigger than 965 MB, and a MD is just about 965 MB, I figured this must be the problem.

Sure enough, reassigning the drive letter of Disk 6 to an unused letter (L:) did the trick. Now I can see both the RH1 and the network drive in Explorer, and SS sees the RH1.

I hope this helps someone

[Avrin]

The solution is absolutely correct and professional!