the directory name is invalid external hadrdrive

[eddy1000]

the directory name is invalid for external harddrive. 

I can't access my new external hard drive. I have tried to:

Use a different USB port

Works fine on a different laptop

reboot computer.

Uninstall all other USB connected devices. 

Everytime I connect it says - "the directory name is invalid" and the hard drive shows on the computer for 1 second and then drops out. 

Can you help? 

[Riddle_Decipher]

@eddy1000 You seem to have done all the right steps to troubleshoot the issue, here's a few other things that should help:

Update Disk Driver

After ruling out the possibility that 'the directory name is invalid' error appears because of USB ports issue or disk errors, we can guess that the problem might stem from disk driver. In this case, we recommend you to try to update the disk driver and check if it helps.

• Step 1:Press "Windows + R" Key.
• Step 2:Type devmgmt.msc and press "Enter" to open device manager.

• Step 3:Expand "Disk Drives".

• Step 4:Right-click on the external drive, USB or SD card driver and click on "Update Driver Software".

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us, 

have a good day, ahead.

[eddy1000]

Hi, 

Thanks, but i think that's part of the problem. I can't update it as the device keeps on dropping out. 

Any other suggestions? 

Thanks, 

Ed 

[Riddle_Decipher]

@eddy1000 I suggest you check the device on an alternate computer to check if that works, if it does and yet it isn't working on this HP computer, I suggest you try alternate USB ports, also, check if other USB devices are working, if none of the USB devices are being detected: click here to troubleshoot USB devices.

Keep me posted,

If you wish to thank me for my efforts, you could click on "Accept as solution" on my post as the solution should help others too.

[eddy1000]

I already said in my first message that I posted and which you replied to that I did all of these steps............

[Riddle_Decipher]

@eddy1000 I appreciate the clarification, however, you haven't mentioned if other USB devices work fine on this computer, also, if all the steps within the link I shared to troubleshoot USB devices/port aren't helping either, you may want to backup all your personal data onto an online storage such as cloud, or google drive, etc... and perform a system reset: click here for steps.

keep me posted.

[eddy1000]

yeh to be fair, I said

"Uninstall all other USB connected devices.", 

[Riddle_Decipher]

@eddy1000 Right, perhaps, you could do the reset and get back to us with those results as well, good luck.