Airport Extreme no longer recognizes external HDD

My Airport Extreme has suddenly stopped recognizing the external HDD I have attached to it. This happened about 2 weeks ago, and has been driving me absolutely insane since (I use this HDD to store all my music, and as such have not been able to listen while I work during this time). I've looked around and tried all the suggestions from other topics, but nothing is working.
• Airport Extreme is using Firmware 7.3.2 -- I did not want to update to 7.5.x, since I saw overall bad opinion about the latest firmware
• My MacBook Pro is using 10.6.7 -- I have all the latest updates from Software Update
• External HDD is a Western Digital 500 GB formatted in Mac OS Extended connect to the Airport Extreme via USB -- reformatting this HDD is not an option at this time
The Airport Extreme has had no trouble with the wireless connection, everything seems to be working for all computers on the network. I am able to successfully configure it using the Airport Utility. The moment I plug my external HDD into the Airport Extreme, I can no longer use the Airport Utility to configure. I receive this error message:
Make sure your AirPort wireless device is plugged in and in range of your computer or connected via Ethernet and try again. (-6753)
If I unplug my external HDD, the error message goes away and I am able to configure the Extreme again. In addition to the error message above, the external HDD does not show up in Network nor on the left side panel when opening a new Finder Window.
I have tried the following:
• I restored the Extreme to factory settings and then reconfigured it using my backup copy of the configuration file. The error persists.
• I have used Disk Utility to repair the external HDD and received no errors.
• I have plugged my laptop into the Extreme via Ethernet rather than a wireless connection. The error persists.
• I have used a different laptop (via wireless and Ethernet)-- a MacBook also running 10.6.7. It also cannot configure the Extreme nor see the external HDD when it is connnected to the Extreme.
I'm at wits end here, and I have no idea what else I can do. This problem happened suddenly and with no explanation, and no Snow Leopard updates have fixed it.
Do you all have any other suggestions?

JTelcontar wrote:
I just tried switching the HDD to another USB port on the hub, and am still having the same issue.
Hi,
Bob exaggerated a bit (or more); I'm not really a HD guru. I do help folks with Time Machine problems, and sometimes those are HD problems.
It is quite unusual. I'd suspect the hub, cable, or connections.
Try using the same port that your printer is working fine on (leave the printer disconnected).
Try disconnecting the hub and connecting the HD directly to the USB port. It may not recognize it if there isn't enough power, but see if the Airport goes berserk.
Try a different cable, or just swap ends. A plug that works fine in one port may not make good contact (or may short out) in another.

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Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Airport Extreme no longer recognizes external HDD

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