How do you get a G3 to recogize an external hard drive if the hardrive is connected but an icon won't appear on the desktop?

Answer

Under your system preferences, (Apple Menu > System) you should be able to change your "boot" drive to any connected device [or even from a CD-ROM]. Ensure the device is connected before starting up your Mac. Then change the drive. Restart and you're set.

It's important to ensure that this device has at least an O.S. on it, so the computer knows what to do. You should also keep your O.S. system disc nearby in case this fails.

Visit any Apple store (locate them at apple.com) and speak with someone at the Genius Bar for more details.

But, I don't think this questioner wants to boot from the drive. I think that he/she just wants the G3 to "see" it. You could try powering up the external drive first, then starting the Mac it's connected to. If that doesn't work, try it the other way around. Can you tell us more about your computer? What model? Are you using OS9? You might want to be sure that the the external drive is a Slave drive IE; setting the jumpers on the pinouts. If you have a system on both drives, and the external is not set as a slave, your poor Mac will be very confused! If you're not sure how to set the jumpers, GOOGLE your drive's manufacturer and model number. Of course, it could very well be me that's confused! ;)

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