manny users use it here just get an usb extension big enough to connect to the front usb doors and it should workYep that was the issue. I just put my laptop on top of the wiiu and plugged the power usb cable into the laptop. So its working fine now.
Obviously this is a temporary solution. My next question is. If I were to buy a desktop portable HDD, are there any which are more compatible/less compatible with the wii u???
Although you did mention a usb extension cord to connect to the front wii u usb port. Is that possible??