External HDD firewire problem

It's a MicroNet Platinum 120GB Dual Mode Hard drive (MDT MD1200PB-00FBA0). It's a basic external USB hard drive, except it also has a small cooling fan and a 2 firewire ports. The drive is probably at least 3 years old.

Several months ago the drive crashes (unintended ejection while it was busy), and I had to reformat. Now the drive doesn't show up in My Computer when I connect it using the firewire port. USB connection still works fine. The physical connection is also fine because certain programs can see the drive including Acronis Disk Director, but I cannot get Windows to see it.

Ideas??

I've already tried assigning the drive a drive letter etc. both with Acronis Disk Director when connected by firewire, and by Windows XP tools when connected by USB. I've tried removing my firewire drivers to trigger a reinstall. I also plugged the external drive to another computer with the same results. Do I need to install something onto the external hard drive? (I don't remember if the drive came with any software, but if it did I don't have it anymore).

 

Have you tried using the disk management tool in windows. Right click My Comp --->click on Management---->disk management and clicking on the drive in firewire mode?

This is very basic and I'm sure you've tried it but this was the first idea I had. Also some Devices have drivers built in, formating would destroy that. Just two thoughts for you. best of luck

 

i would, but the drive doesn't show up in disk management gui unless i use the USB connection.

 

Just noticed last night that if I boot to BartPE or Image for Dos (floppy image of) that I have on a separate small partition, they can see the external hard drive through the firewire connection.