A few things to check but assumes USB for other interfaces similar steps may be followed
1. ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability
2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer.
3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.
4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply (Dont use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating eg. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly)
If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues carry on reading.
Go to your control panel and then administrative tools, select computer management.
Now select Disk Management and expand the window.
Your drive should be listed here (if not then you need to check your computer hardware has not got any issues before proceeding)
If your drive is listed and says healthy then right click on it an select Properties, click tools and then error checking, Check now, tick the two boxes and then start.
This will attempt to fix any errors on the drive. It may also ask you to restart which is fine. Allow it to finish its work or you could corrupt the drive. If all went well you should be able to use it normally again.
If you drive was listed ut did NOT say healthy then right click and select Format. Choose NTFS as the file system and do not tick any boxes you do NOT want quick format. Again start and let it do its thing. when it is done restart your computer and you should be good to go.
Answers & Comments
A few things to check but assumes USB for other interfaces similar steps may be followed
1. ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability
2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer.
3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.
4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply (Dont use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating eg. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly)
If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues carry on reading.
Go to your control panel and then administrative tools, select computer management.
Now select Disk Management and expand the window.
Your drive should be listed here (if not then you need to check your computer hardware has not got any issues before proceeding)
If your drive is listed and says healthy then right click on it an select Properties, click tools and then error checking, Check now, tick the two boxes and then start.
This will attempt to fix any errors on the drive. It may also ask you to restart which is fine. Allow it to finish its work or you could corrupt the drive. If all went well you should be able to use it normally again.
If you drive was listed ut did NOT say healthy then right click and select Format. Choose NTFS as the file system and do not tick any boxes you do NOT want quick format. Again start and let it do its thing. when it is done restart your computer and you should be good to go.