Windows Explorer does NOT find devices (but are working USB device

I have 2 USB "Storage Vaults" (external hard drives) which I have used for
several months with no problem (Windows XP-Pro). 5 days ago, they suddenly
stopped appearing as visible drives using Windows Explorer. They
both,however, DO show up in Control panel/Systems . . and both are indicated
to be "working properly." But, Windows Explorer does NOT FIND THEM, so I have
no way to browse the contents, delete files, etc. I've tried EVERYTHING I can
think of . . . but WIndows Explorer still doesn't find these 2 drives. What
can I do? Thanks. Jim

Jim,

Do the drives show up under "Control Panel -> Administrative Tools ->
Computer Management -> Disk Management"? If they show up do they have a drive
letter assigned in Disk Management? What happens if you right click on them
in DiskManagement and change the drive letter assignment?

Finally do you have any network drives mapped. You can tell by opening a
command windows and entering the command "net use" then then hitting enter.

--
John Hensley
www.resqware.com


"Jim In Minneapolis" wrote:

> I have 2 USB "Storage Vaults" (external hard drives) which I have used for
> several months with no problem (Windows XP-Pro). 5 days ago, they suddenly
> stopped appearing as visible drives using Windows Explorer. They
> both,however, DO show up in Control panel/Systems . . and both are indicated
> to be "working properly." But, Windows Explorer does NOT FIND THEM, so I have
> no way to browse the contents, delete files, etc. I've tried EVERYTHING I can
> think of . . . but WIndows Explorer still doesn't find these 2 drives. What
> can I do? Thanks. Jim