Grr. For some reason, my computer REFUSES to recognize this external hard drive. It's not the USB port, because I pop my flash drive in, and I get an H: drive. But it installs the driver for the hard drive and and says the device is working properly, but it doesn't give me an H: drive. I can't access the damn thing! I'm using Win2K. Any suggestions? I've shouted many profanities at the thing, but that didn't seem to work. I also rebooted with the thing connected, and it really didn't like that. It likes it best when you connect the drive and then turn it on, not the other way around.

P-C, right-click on My Computer and choose "Manage", then Click on Storage followed by Disk Management. There will be a listing in of your drives in the right side of the Window. Check to see if the drive is there. If it's not in the top section, look in the lower section by scrolling down and see if it's listed there. Check to see if there is a drive letter associated with it. It might not be assigning a letter, or else trying to assign a letter already in use. If it's there, right click on the drive and choose "Change Drive Letters and Paths" and try to give it a letter that's not being used.

Is now a good time to buy an iBook?

Sure. There are always rumors about upgrades, and they're often true, and the chances are good that will be at least some sort of upgrade in the near future, but the Macbooks are still a pretty good buy right now. If you need one, get one with no guilt. If you want to wait a month, you might get a pleasant surprise, but i'm doubting the upgrade will be so amazing that you'll shoot yourself for buying now.

It's not like 8 months ago, when we were anxiously waiting for the processor upgrade that entirely redefined the line.

Hey, tv/cable question: currently, my cable is split so that it comes to the house, goes to 1. a vcr and 2. a digital cable box and then both sides go to a switcher which goes to the tv.

I would like to add my second vcr into the mix on the digital cable box side. Do I put the cable in to my digital cable box out to the vcr and then go from the vcr to the switcher?

If it's there, right click on the drive and choose "Change Drive Letters and Paths" and try to give it a letter that's not being used.

It's not in there at all. Or in the "Removable Storage" list. The Device Manager recognizes it, though.

sumi, that sounds right

Thanks.

It's not in there at all. Or in the "Removable Storage" list. The Device Manager recognizes it, though.

Huh. I'm at a loss. Have you checked the manufacturer's website to see if they have any FAQs or troubleshooting tips for this particular drive? Barring that, try a Google search for Windows 2000 and the drive model. There might be some undocumented little quirk that someone has figured out.

Hmm, doesn't appear to be working.

I took the line that went from the switcher to the digital box and switched it to the ant out on the VCR.

Should I have put it elsewhere?

You sure it's out? It sounds right.