Last edited Mon Oct 30, 2017, 12:48 AM - Edit history (1)
could it have been damaged by a power surge of some type?
edited to add- if its the devices power light blinking and the light is usually solid on, something is broken inside the device. Your computer can't recognize the device when the light is blinking. (You could open it and see if you can notice whats broken and repair it yourself)
There is a hair dryer 'trick' a friend taught me that works sometimes. Heat the area with the blinking light with a hot hair dryer for about 2 minutes, light will blink faster and go solid on and the device will be recognized.
If there is a 'start' or "on button" once the light is solid that's when you turn it on.
The device IS still broken though, once you get your info off it- get a new one or keep a hair dryer on hand 
don't ask me why this hair dryer trick works sometimes, but it does and saved me $$ at a repair shop. good luck.
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