Slow accessing usb external hd

hi, I have a problem with my usb external hd. lately, when I click the drive, it will take like 30 secs or longer for me to be able to use any of the folder. This has happened in the past, and format the windows solves the problem, but I don't really want to format windows and reinstall it again. Does anyone know how to solve this? thanks.

It probably is Windows trying to search what is on the drive to figure out what program to automatically launch. Try disabling autorun all together... http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-018

well, the weird thing is that it wasn't this slow when I first install windows. It only happend since like last week or so. Last time when this happen, I reinstall windows again (well along with other problems). I will try to disable the autorun and see if that helps.

autoplay is not working either. I thought it only detect the files when you first plug in, I have my external hd plug into my system like all the time, so it's not really scanning any file.

Do you have any other computers? Try plugging the drive into another one and see if it happens.

Also try swapping the USB connection on the computer.

That autoplay would have been my guess as well.

Like it has been stated, make sure the device/computer isn't the problem. Plug the device into another USB port or even another computer and see if that helps. If it doesn't we can assume that the drive is bad. If it does, there may be a problem with the computer.

Any more information?