Computer doesn't display external backup drive

I am uncertain whether your use of the term "cloned the drive" is a generic description of duplication or whether you were specifically referring to the TrueImage Cloning option. Also, I am uncertain whether you performed the clone from inside Windows or when booted from the TI REscue CD.
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Cloning Risks:
In theory, there should be no risk to the source drive during cloning as the disk is only read. In practice, however, there has been far too many postings of something going wrong during the process. Sometimes it is the operator choosing the wrong disk and cloning the blank onto the master; other times, the power fails during the process; at other times, the computer freezes and the the drive is lost. Simply stated, why take the risk of cloning when it takes on a few minutes longer to do the restore and the master disk is not even connected.
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Generally speaking, these are the recommended procedures

1.Remove the old drive and insert the new blank unformatted drive in its place.
2. If old source is being used as cloning, then place the old drive in another external enclosure connected via USB or eSata.
3. Boot from the TI Rescue CD.
4. Perform either the clone or Restore a prior disk option backup from the backup storage location.
5. After completion. Shutdown and disconnect any other drives connected
6. Reboot with only the single new clone attached.

I performed the clone of my computer hard drive using Acronics True Image Cloning from within windows. All seemed normal, I clicked proceed and went out for a while. When I came back the screen was on True Image Home page with no acknowledgement or indication that the cloning operation had been performed. It is then when I tried to look at the external backup drive to see if the operation was successful that I became unable to see the external hd in the 'my computer' selection. This was my first clone attempt using True Image 11. I had performed a backup using 2010 version in August and had no problem seeing the external harddrive when I checked to see if the backup was successful.

You mention both version 11 and 2010. If you meant 2010 and 2011, please do not use 11 to indicate the 2011 versions. The old version 11 is stilll in use and has different setups. You could get wrong reponses if the version id is not clearcut.

If you did not get the results you expected, then repeat the clone using the steps I outlined in post #1.

After booting into the Rescue CD, I would again check to see if your target is listed. If not, you can either use the 2010 Rescue CD or download an alternate "Bootable Media" from your registration account.

the version I am currently using is True Image 2011. The version I last successfully backed up my files with was version 2010. The problem I occurred when I selected 'clone disc' in True Image 2011. Since I did that I cannot see my external HD in 'My Computer' since I cloned the disk to my external HD (Maxtor) so I do not know if the clone attempt was successful.

Look, my situation is this. My computer was able to see my Maxtor external drive until I tried to clone the computer hd onto the maxtor hd using true image 11. Now my computer no longer sees the external hd so I dont know if the clone attempt was successfull. There were no error messages from Acronics True Image 11 presumably after the clone attempt was finished>

Connect the external drive and Open Windows Disk Management. The resulting graphics display will show you enough information to maybe identify your situation. Windows Disk Mangement should show the drive. If the clone occurred, the picture of the external should mostly match the picture of the original drive.

What does the picture reveal?

Does it show the drive as formatted or unacllocated or a drive letter assigned or as having used space, etc
You may want to post a picture on the forum as to what Windows Disk Management reveals.

If the clone was successful, then you will need to remove the disk from the external enclosure.
Remove the main disk and install the clone is its place.
Windows will not normally boot an external usb device so you cannot expect the external device to boot.

I think I know what happened. My Maxtor external drive was listed as 'G'. Apparently when I clicked clone in Acronics True Image 11 and identified the target drive as 'G' Maxtor, True Image 11 erased the 'G' drive (maxtor external hd with my prior backup) gave it a new name 'G' Recovery (partition), with 5gb of allocated space. I deleted the 5gb of files, went into Windows Disk Management which showed the drive as a partitioned drive as stated above. I deleted the partition (by right clicking and selecting delete) n Windows Disk Management. I then unplugged and disconnected the external drive.

When I re-connected the external drive it still does not show up in 'My Computer' but in windows disk management my original internal hd (c:) shows as Disk 0 healthy (system). The Maxtor drive shows up as Disk 1 healthy (system) 298.096gb unallocated. So did True Image destroy my maxtor external drive?? or How do I get everything back to normal?

In Windows Disk Management, right click on the Maxtor and choose format.
If format is not an option for the Maxtor, you may have to create a partition (298GB) first, and then again right click and choose format. Just be careful that you are working on the Maxtor External drive.

Thanks for your help. I figured it out. I realized that True Image 11 deleted the partition which then made the drive unreadable. I went to Maxtor.com downloaded the installation software, installed it now all is right with the world.