How do I make my laptop which is a Dell Inspiron 8600, recognise and install so I can use my newly purchased Ritmo External 3.5" hard drive enclosure with a Western Digital 160GB hard drive. I am a total novice computer user

Re: Using a Ritmo external drive enclosure

You should only have to plug in the power and then hook to the usb connection and windows should then see it.

Re: Using a Ritmo external drive enclosure

You did not specify which OS (Operating System) you are using, but if it's Windows 2000 or later you should only have to plug it in the USB port and the rest should be taken care by the OS.

However, this does not always works by design, so the OS will ask for a Disk and also it'll ask if it can go to the Internet for a driver. Click on "Yes this time only", also have the disk with the driver that came with the external unit in the CD/DVD drive. This is just in case it does not find a driver on the Internet. It'll look for the driver on the DVD drive. When it states that it has found a driver, accept this and it should be setup.

Another area you may have to look if it is not working, have a look at the disk management tool under Computer management under Administrative Tools. This will show you if you have the drive.

Re: Using a Ritmo external drive enclosure

The drive may also need to be set to "master".

This is the case with my unit, and I swap between several different brands of HDD. Turn on the ritmo AFTER your PC has booted up.

Re: Using a Ritmo external drive enclosure

If this is an external drive is it connected via USB or eSATA? I gave you instruction assuming it was a USB drive, but Craig brings up a good point.