External hard drive not recognised

[Tasman1]

Using USB 1/2 sticks or external hard drives - yes you must click on the icon and select the particular external device connected, to eject and close the files on the device. Not Gospel, but USB 3 'sticks' or external HD-devices (which transfer data at a much faster rate AND are more expensive), can be removed without. The distinction with connecting cords and devices, is that USB3 has a blue 'strip' and not white in the connector. Not all older computers will have USB3 input/outputs. I have 4 or 5 USB '2' and only one USB3 and it is over the back of the computer which makes it difficult to connect the typically short cord supplied with most external HD's. Warning to avoid a potential cyber attack, disconnect the drive after transferring files.

[Roobarb]

I had read somewhere that with modern devices you didn't need to do the 'safely remove' bit, hence my just unplugging it. It's a 1TB external hard drive.

The solution worked like a dream.