Cannot find USB hard disk

[Shannon McMackin]

Dotan Cohen wrote:
>> I'm pretty sure your not supposed to use a hammer or lineman pliers to
>> insert a usb connector! ;-)
>>
>>> If there is nothing in dmesg or /var/log/messages the disk is not
>>> visible to the system. I had the same problem once. The USB plug at the
>>> disk side was a type B connector and I had inserted this plug with the
>>> wrong orientation, i.e. turned around 180°. I certainly needed some
>>> force to do that but it was possible. After I connected the plug
>>> properly the disk worked.
>>>
>>>
> 
> Additionally, modern IDE equipment has a notch and a dead pin, to
> ensure correct insertion direction. You would manage to get the power
> cable in upside down before you got the IDE cable in upside down.
> 
Just a thought here...

On my thinkpad, I can't recognize a disk if it has a hard drive password 
on it in the USB slot or in the Ultrabay.  I have a number of these 
IDE-USB cases for older spare disks.  They would not mount until the 
hard drive password was removed.