I bought a Maxtor One Touch III Mini external drive [120GB] couple of months back. This has been working good on my Windows XP operating system until last week and all of a sudden started throwing the following error “Maxtor EasyManage has encountered a problem and needs to close. Please inform Microsoft about this.” This error came up every time I accessed the drive by connecting through USB and also when tried to open the EasyManage software installed on the computer [even when the drive was not attached]. Tried to solve this problem by searching on net as well as by going to the user forums on seagate.com. None of those helped me and at that point a seagate technician by name Richard came to my rescue. Mentioned below is the step by step process on how i was able to get over the problem I had. Start all these steps by disconnecting the drive from your computer.
1. Click on start, select programs.
2. Go to Maxtor folder, then right click the EasyManage shortcut and hit properties.
3. In the properties pop up window of that shortcut click Compatibility tab.
4. Under ‘Compatibility Mode’ section, check the option that says ‘Run this program in compatibility Mode for’.
5. Select ‘Windows 2000′ from the drop down menu next to it.
6. Click on ‘Apply’ and then on ‘OK’
7. Open the EasyManage link that we just made changes to from start -> Programs -> Maxtor -> EasyManage
Now the issue is solved, drive gets detected by the computer soon after connecting. You will get to see something other than the error message that was bothering you all this while. It may prompt you to
1. Format the drive and
2. Restart the windows
Don’t select the option to format, you might lose the data on your drive just close that window and restart your computer. Upon restarting, your drive will be detected normally and will prompt you for the security password if you have set one. After this validation, all your data is accessible on the drive.
I am greatly thankful to Richard Tuttle, who works at Seagate for his patience and support in resolving this problem.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this post. it worked like a charm. I wish you could get your contact at Seagate to post this on their support site as well.
Thanks for the solution. I was really frustrated with this MaxUtilities error and prepared the replacement warranty status form but somehow I thought to search again on google, found your solution. You made my day. Thank you so much Mohan!
And thank you from me too, I spent more than one hour today and I don’t know how many in the past week trying to solve the problem with their troubleshooting. Your post made my “month”
Thanks a millon works great
Um, i just got this and i’m having my computer wont recognize the first time i put it in.
Well I tried this and it has NOT worked! Got to your blog and post on a Maxtor/Seagate forum site, have tried installing the Microsoft disk drive driver and setting compatibility to Windows 2000, but system still crashes when running back-ups under either Norton Ghost 10.0 or Norton 360. Both instances the MS OCA site references the mxopswd.sys driver problem. Am running XP Home Service Pack 2 on a Sony Vaio – so why don’t these fixes work for me?
Hi James, not sure why this fix isn’t working on your box. why don’t you try contacting the maxtor technical support? Hopefully that would solve your issue.
All the best.
Worked great. Thanks so much.
@Russell
I am glad that my post helped you to get your drive back in action. Happy holidays and merry christmas to you
Thanks for the solution. It works great!
@Ni-man
Awesome.. this solution is still helping out a number of people!
Timeless and effective solution! Is this info. on seagate(maxtor)’s site anybody? Glad you posted, thanks.
I tryed this and it did not work for me either. My situation is a bit different then yours was. My Maxtor manager loads ok when the unit is not pluged in, no error occurs. When I plug the Maxtor OneTouch 4 and launch the Maxtor manager, then go to backup it crash and burns. NOW here is where it gets a little confusing, I lauch on the maxtor manager and plug the unit back it, wait til it sees it, then press the backup icon, it does it again. BUT if i launch the program click the backup icon THEN plug the unit in IT WORKS!!! What gives??? At this point am able to back, but why does it only do it this way?
@Rainer
You are welcome. I am glad this post was of help to you.
@Tellez
I have no clue why it is acting that way. You issue seem to be totally different. Why don’t you give a try with tech support at maxtor?
Thanks for this! It worked! Fantastic tip!!
I am glad this was helpful to you!
Thank you so much! Great post!
Oh cool. I am happy that many people are able to their drives to work with the help of this post
you are the man, thanks!!
You are welcome Alan
Hi Mohan,
This looks like a great solution, but for some reason, my One Touch Maxtor III Mini 140 GB external hard drive does not give me the option you speak of (EasyManage shortcut ) under programs in Start>Maxtor files- I only have two listed :One Touch Easy Manage and One Touch Status Icon. Do you know of another way to access this program?
Cheers and thanks
David
Sorry David, I am not sure why you dont’ have that option. However, i suggest you uninstall the maxtor software and try installing again. It should help you out.
Hi,
Thanks heaps, it worked! thank you for sharing
Carmela
Great to hear that!
Once again, great stuff.
Thanks so much!
Richard
my pleasure, you are most welcome
Thank you very much! I’ve had this drive for a year and finally getting around to using it. I couldn’t access the SW from the beginning.