[ILUG-BOM] external drive problem in ubuntu

Am using ubuntu 9.04 on a desktop. Have also tried with ubuntu 8.10 and 9.10. System is unable to detect and connect to a USB external drive--make is seagate, capacity is 250 GB, model is called freeagent.

Have also tried the device in windows7 where it is also not detected.

The external drive can be felt to be running as its whirring sound can be felt. Also it glows from the top due to some LEDs which shine thru holes on the top of the drive's cover. There is only one USB connector cable which acts both as a power supply cable and a data cable.

Generally USB devices when plugged in are detected instantly but this is not the case here. I have also installed pmount etc without any success.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Kussh