Location Unavailable: unable to access.

Dennypoos

New Member
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I'm trying to use my 3tb external hard drive with my new Toshiba laptop running Windows 8.1. At first the computer recognised the drive, but when I tried to open the files I wanted, (masses of JPEG and RAW photo-files) they did not appear. There were four files listed..all of which were used to run the drive itself...no folders visible at all.

I figured there might be a problem with access so went to a number of possibilities and altered all manner of permissions and sharing options to what I thought would work. The upshot is that now the drive comes up as 'Location Unavailable'...access denied.

Previously I had used the drive on an ancient Vista machine, and still having this laptop, checked that the external drive was working,(it still is, with all files and folders still visible). I also plugged in my Sandisk Cruzer flashdrive and that opened no problems.

I have tried some suggested ideas, right click on the drive>properties>sharing>advanced sharing>permissions>checked that 'everyone' was selected then allowed full control, change, read and then OK'd...still no difference.

I need help before I need therapy, so if any of you guys can assist an ageing silver surfer I will be forever in your debt.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
Can the drive be accessed in another machine?
I had a similar problem with a 500GB Seagate Expansion HDD which had apparently failed.
Running CHKDSK may also be a good idea if you can.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Lubuntu
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite L450D-113
    CPU
    AMD Sempron SI-42 @ 2.1GHz
    Motherboard
    N/A
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATi Radeon HD 3200 IGP
    Sound Card
    Realtek something-or-other
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366*768
    Hard Drives
    1x 500GB Western Digital
    PSU
    Original DC adaptor, 19V, 3.95A ~ 75W
    Keyboard
    Built In
    Mouse
    Built In (Synaptics)
    Internet Speed
    300Mbps link, 100Mbps bandwidth
    Browser
    Google Chrome, Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    New machine is a WIP.
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