WacoJohn

Both router USB ports test good. Not really knowing what else to do, decided to eject the drive from router and test on laptop. Same problem, ... can't write to it. Soooo strategy is backing the drive up and then Quick Format it, and then see if I can write to it. If yes, back onto router and see if the problem is gone. I will update here when I find out. 2.72TB 951GB used. Lots and lots of data. Thank you again.

Thank you very much for the reply. Yes, ... in spite of it being a feature .... no one supports it. When it comes to external drive on XR500m yer on your own. I plugged a different HD into the 2nd USB port on router, It works just fine in all cases. Going to eject problem drive and see what's happening plugged directly into laptop. MEANWHILE ... I suggest we close this ticket. Not enough support here to fix my problem. Thank you immensely and sincerely for you offer. Wish me luck.

XR500 Router. 2 Windows 10 laptops and 1 Windows 11 laptop. The problem occurs on all machines. The problem has recently happened. Cannot write to the connected-to-router Drive. It is mapped to the computer(s) as Drive M: I don't THINK it is any Duma setting, but a permission issue on the laptops. Here is what I get when I try to write to the drive and the results of trying to set the right permissions .... in any case and any machine. Help is appreciated in advance:

We are now on the same page. I would guess GOOD HELP nowadays is hard to find, and they are lucky to have you. The problem I was having was (usb ports on routers don't do anything) and we have come past that. I love my xr500 ... and did assume R3 had not only one but two usb ports as did the xr500 AND that the R3 was somehow a 'step up'. In any case, thank you for all your valuable time, great attitude, and helping us 'router dummies' out. I hope you are HIGHLY paid, and will vote right in the upcoming election. 👉

Just realized, ... you are the same Fraser that I had the email with. I don't intend to argue ... I guess the single USB port on my R3 has no purpose, but the two on the XR500 certainly do. There are two hard drives connected to 'em. Best I return the R3. This is really puzzling to me. Thank you for all your input.

Here is an exchange I just had with Netduma email support: and the reply: Seriously?? Why would a router have a USB port that has no function??