External USB Hard Drive Initializing

[lionking]

I just bought a new External USB Hard Drive connected it to my Dreamlink HD and it is Initializing.

I formatted it from NTFS to FAT32 using EaseUS Partition Master.

Unfortunately the old External USB Hard Drive was self powered which could be plugged in.

It is very difficult to find an External USB self powered hard drive these days that is new and not used.

This new one is a portable External Hard Drive which can not be plugged in.

The old External Hard Drive kept on showing up as invalid drive even though I used EaseUS Partition Master to fix it a few times.

It did not work by turning off the Dreamlink then connecting the External Hard Drive so it would recognize it then turning the Dreamlink back on.

Is there any other way of fixing this, and also please tell me how long does it take to be Initialized?

Thanks in advance.

[dishuser]

buy something like this

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-External-Enclosure-Housing-Adapter/dp/B076WQHK2G
I have one and it worx great

[auggie]

What size is the Drive ? Large non-powered external HD are sometimes difficult for Dreamlinks and others to recognize it.
What DU suggested would be better.

[The Noof]

I have a couple of different configs:I have 3 with 250gb ssd's that are perfect because of the low power consumption.I also have a 1tb usb powered hdd that works well 2 on both the t4 & t5, but may or may not work for you.Properly formatted/partitioned ssd is perfect.I use disk management with Windblows 7 to prepare all drives.