Problem reading USB hard drives

[seadonkey]

SPECS:
x1085cl with windows xp pro
1.4 gHz
1.25 gHz RAM
80 gHz HDD
ATI 9200 Video Card

Okay so I dont know if this is a windows issue or laptop issue.  When I plug in a usb harddrive (fujitsu 100 gig) windows (or the laptop does not recognize it or assign a drive letter.  So it does not show up in 'my computer.'  When I go to the device manager there is a little yellow question mark under usb port area.  Install there but still doesnt work.  The only way I can view the portable hdd is to go to disk manager-->assign drive letter-->then it opens, but not in 'my computer'

side note:  I can only name files 8 characters in length and no spaces which is frustrating when transfering files.

HELP!!!

[kf_man]

Does this drive work on another computer, it's entirely possible that the drive is drawing too much power and not spinning up properly.  When I exchanged the 40GB in my external enclosure for a 100GB, the enclosure was no longer able to power up the drive.  I ended up having to buy a new enclosure.  I'm not sure if this is the same problem, but it sure sounds like it.

[seadonkey]

the portable hdd works on my desktop, and i've tried it in other laptops and it works.  Someone was telling me it was a windows issue.  Oh and I have windows HOME edition on the laptop and PRO on the desktop.  The drive runs fine, it just isnt assigned a drive letter when i stick it in the usb port.  the portable drive is a fijitsu 80 gb hard drive.