Drive keeps disconnecting when using USB IDE adaptor

I use a USB 2.0 to IDE adaptor (similar to an external drive chassis) to connect my IDE backup hard disks to my PC. Originally this system used to work fine but now the disk will not stay connected/accessible in Windows XP for more than a few minutes.

I am able to start copying my files to/from the external disk to an internal IDE drive but the disk will disconnect mid-copy (or even when idle). Sometimes it will stay connected for several minutes, sometimes only seconds.
This happens with all my USB ports, all of which are USB2.0.

As it used to work with this version of Windows I am suspicious that it may be a Windows update that has screwed it up. Has anyone else come across this problem?

Interestingly my external hard drive (in chassis) does work. Maybe this is because it is newer technology (bought about 3 months ago).

If anyone has any ideas I’d really appreciate it. This is driving me insane.
My computer specs are below my signature.

Cheers for your help,

You might learn more about the nature of the error if you can have the device manager open when it happens, or the Logical Disk Manager.

Who manufactures the adapter? Is the drive externally powered or powered from the USB port?

If you have system restore enabled you could use that to return to a time when things were working properly, assuming this is a driver/windows conflict.

Thanks for your reply. I will take a look at the device manager when I next try to connect it.

The adapter is powered externally and I don't knwo who it is manufactured by. It does not say. It is called a 'USB 2.0 to IDE Adapter'.
I origanally got it from Maplin and you can see a similar model if you type a25at into the search box at maplin.co.uk

I do have system restore but I would most likely have to go back several months and my restore points don't go back that far.

Hey ShowGirl -
I have the same problem. And just like you... it's driving me insane! When I bought the hard drive and the external case, they were both working fine, then I can't remember very well (because it's been over 3 years...) but it just started doing that same thing. It wouldn't be connected for more than a few minutes, and sometimes even seconds. What do I do? I have been trying to fix it for a while now. Could anyone PLS help?

Make sure that the disk is explicitly set to master status - not slave or cable select - and that it does not expect to see a slave present as well.

I had the same problems with an old Maxtor that I was using as auxiliary storage with a similar adapter. I have seen that Western Digital disks seem to hang if they expect a slave drive to be present (even in a system) - but all disks can be temperamental like this.