Hard disk problems

[JacksBleedingEyes]

Can you guys please help me out.
I know this isnt a troubleshooting forum but I've been visiting for a while and I was just wondering if you could help or redirect me.
I have a Maxtor ATA 80 gig harddisk.
I also have one of those datafab cases USB 2.0 to make it external.
Now when ever I plug it into my laptop it sometimes works for 5 mins then restarts. Sometimes works for 10 mins then restarts.
The point it it can restart anywhere between 5 seconds and 15 mins.
I am running windows XP and my laptop is a compaq evo n1000c
USB 2.0 on both.
What do you guys think could be the problem.

 

[Guden Oden]

Can you be a little more specific on what you mean by "restarts"?

What exactly is restarting and how do you know it is restarting? If the harddrive spins down and then up again it might be that there's a loss of power; ie a loose connector or bad cable or such. Try jiggling all the connections, or try a new cable. Try the harddrive on a different, preferably stationary computer, if the drive is powered from the USB connector itself it might be the laptop isn't quite delivering enough current causing this behavior.