Hi,
1.
Which operating system is installed on the computer?
2.
Were there any recent changes made to the computer prior to the issue?
3.
What exactly happens when you try to install the drivers?
4.
What is the make and model of the external hard drive?
As a work around you may try connecting the device in different USB port or
try connecting the device in different computer and check if the same issue persists.
Method 1: Try to run the Fixit tool from the link below.
Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/hardware_device_problems
Method 2:
Also
I would suggest you to try the steps provided below which would help you to open the external hard disk.
a)
Click on Start, type Command Prompt, right click on it and select to
run as administrator.
b)
In command prompt, type
chkdsk volume: /f /r and hit enter to check and repair any volume disk errors or bad sectors present on the drive which would be causing this problem.
Important: While performing chkdsk on the hard drive if any bad sectors are found
on the hard drive when chkdsk tries to repair that sector if any data available on that might be lost.
Method 3:
If the issue persists then try to set your computer in
Clean Boot state and check if the same issue occurs.
By setting your system in clean boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
Note: After clean boot troubleshooting step, follow
Step 7 in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot
in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Note: After clean boot troubleshooting step, follow the “Steps to configure Windows
to use a Normal startup state” in the provided link to return your computer to
Normal startup mode.
Hope this information is helpful.
