How to locate an external HDD connected to the PC?

[DiaNobb]

Am running Linux Mint 22.1 Cinnamon.
Have had a USB external HDD connected to my PC. Can't locate it. Want to save some files on the HDD. How to locate it?
Thanks.
DiaNobb

 

[theLegionWithin]

from the terminal, lsblk - if it's not in the list, disconnect the drive & reconnect it & check again - failing that, reboot.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

It won't be shown in file manager if it's not formatted.
It won't be shown also if file system isn't auto mounted.

 

[f33dm3bits]

Open the graphical disk tool(gnome-disk-utility) which is installed by default with Cinnamon and see if your external disk is listed.

How to Install and Use the GNOME Disks Utility on Ubuntu

I breakdown how to surgically manage your storage using GNOME Disks. From predictive SMART failure audits to LUKS encryption, learn how to secure your data today.

www.fosslinux.com

From there you should be able to mount it if it has a file-system. With what file-system is the external disk formatted if you already have data on that?

 

[Condobloke]

click on menu
type in disks
click it open

Do you see the external hdd there ?

If so, click on the gear wheel....

then Edit Mount options. Set it as the pic below shows

click ok to close

Reboot

Does it now appear ?

 

[bob466]

By default it will Auto-Mount to the Desktop...and open.

It will also show up in Computer.

 

[DiaNobb]

from the terminal, lsblk - if it's not in the list, disconnect the drive & reconnect it & check again - failing that, reboot.

Thanks.
The names listed are:
sda
sdb--sdb1
sdc
sr0
I do not know which one is the external hard drive.
DiaNobb

 

[DiaNobb]

It won't be shown in file manager if it's not formatted.
It won't be shown also if file system isn't auto mounted.

Thanks.
"It won't be shown in file manager if it's not formatted."
Do not know what "file manager" is. The disk was formatted in Disks.
"file system isn't auto mounted." Do not understand. I am a newbie.
DiaNobb

 

[DiaNobb]

Open the graphical disk tool(gnome-disk-utility) which is installed by default with Cinnamon and see if your external disk is listed.

How to Install and Use the GNOME Disks Utility on Ubuntu

I breakdown how to surgically manage your storage using GNOME Disks. From predictive SMART failure audits to LUKS encryption, learn how to secure your data today.

www.fosslinux.com

From there you should be able to mount it if it has a file-system. With what file-system is the external disk formatted if you already have data on that?

Thanks.
There are Graphics and Graphics Tablet in the menu. Which one is the "graphical disk tool" to be opened?
DiaNobb

 

[Condobloke]

click on menu
type in disks
click it open

 

[bob466]

External HDDs and SSDs come Formatted and Auto-Mount...the same for Flash Drives...it's the Internal ones that are not.

The Disk Utility is installed by default in Linux Mint...type...disks in the search box and hit Enter to open it.
The Disk Utility shows Drives Mounted and other things but you don't need to use it to Format an External Drive or Flash Drive.

When you plug in a Flash Drive or External Drive it's shown on the Desktop...in Disks and Computer...here's my Flash Drive in Disks...

Here it is in Computer...

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Do not know what "file manager" is.

Do not understand. I am a newbie.

I'm baffled, you should really have learned so far what a file manager is,
or at least searched the web for meaning.

 

[DiaNobb]

External HDDs and SSDs come Formatted and Auto-Mount...the same for Flash Drives...it's the Internal ones that are not.

The Disk Utility is installed by default in Linux Mint...type...disks in the search box and hit Enter to open it.
The Disk Utility shows Drives Mounted and other things but you don't need to use it to Format an External Drive or Flash Drive.

When you plug in a Flash Drive or External Drive it's shown on the Desktop...in Disks and Computer...here's my Flash Drive in Disks...

View attachment 29541

Here it is in Computer...

View attachment 29542

View attachment 29543

Thanks.
The external USB hard disk is in Computer and Disks. In Computer, it appears as a document. In Disks, it is a drive just like other drives listed on the left of the page. It shows as an empty just like your USB SanDisk.
Cannot save any file to my USB external HDD.
DiaNobb

 

[bob466]

Thanks.
The external USB hard disk is in Computer and Disks. In Computer, it appears as a document. In Disks, it is a drive just like other drives listed on the left of the page. It shows as an empty just like your USB SanDisk.
Cannot save any file to my USB external HDD.
DiaNobb

I don't think you know what you're looking at...in Computer it's shows what it is...if you double click it...all on the Drive will be shown...so how can it be empty.

In Disks...you can't open the Drive to show what's on it...but it shows information about it...it's that simple.

 

[theLegionWithin]

Thanks.
The names listed are:
sda
sdb--sdb1
sdc
sr0
I do not know which one is the external hard drive.
DiaNobb

can we get a screenshot of the terminal showing the result of lsblk? also, what is the size of the usb drive?

 

[Brickwizard]

screenshot of the terminal showing the result of lsblk?

or as your using Mint, inxi -d

 

[f33dm3bits]

I'm baffled, you should really have learned so far what a file manager is,

Even Windows has one, it looks like this.

Here's one of the one of available Linux file-managers.

 

[wizardfromoz]

@DiaNobb - what is your first language, your language of origin, please?

Wizard

 

[DiaNobb]

click on menu
type in disks
click it open

Do you see the external hdd there ?

If so, click on the gear wheel....
View attachment 29534
then Edit Mount options. Set it as the pic below shows

View attachment 29535
click ok to close

Reboot

Does it now appear ?

Thanks.
"then Edit Mount options. Set it as the pic below shows"
Every letter is in grey, including the Edit Mount Options.
DiaNobb

 

[Condobloke]

Is the external plugged in ?