Windows Explorer can't see my MP3 player

[Ed Smega]

On my XP system when I plug my MP3 player into the USB port it looks and
acts like any other drive. On Vista it doesn't show up at all. I can copy
stuff to it by using the media software and doing a 'synch'. But I prefer
copying and deleting files with Explorer. How do I get Explorer to see the
player??

Ed

 

[Lang Murphy]

On my XP system when I plug my MP3 player into the USB port it looks and
acts like any other drive. On Vista it doesn't show up at all. I can
copy stuff to it by using the media software and doing a 'synch'. But I
prefer copying and deleting files with Explorer. How do I get Explorer to
see the player??

Ed

Ed,

It might help if you disclosed the make/model of your MP3 player and how you
connect it to your PC.

Lang

 

[Ed Smega]

Like I said in the original post, I plug it into the USB port. on XP it
looks just like any thumb drive. It is a Curtis MP3257. It is a cheap
($30) device that looks like the garden variety thumb drive with a couple
buttons. Works fine on XP.

Ed

 

[Lang Murphy]

Like I said in the original post, I plug it into the USB port. on XP it
looks just like any thumb drive. It is a Curtis MP3257. It is a cheap
($30) device that looks like the garden variety thumb drive with a couple
buttons. Works fine on XP.

Ed

Yes, you did say that you plugged it in to your USB port. My bad for missing
that.

Do you have more than one USB port? If so, have you tried plugging your MP3
player in different USB ports? (I would assume so, but must ask...)

What PC are you using? I had problems with one PC running Vista where it
would recognize an external USB hard drive, and I could access it via
Explorer, but the system did not "see" it to dismount it. I know that's
different than your problem, but it falls within the same area, USB.

I just Googled "vista usb problem" and found this link:

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/microsoft/windows-vista-usb-audio-driver-problem-fixed.asp

You might want to take a gander... not saying it will fix your problem, or
that you even would be willing to endeavor to attempt it, but it -may-
indicate the source of your problem... possibly... DRM.

In any case, would appreciate hearing back to the ng if you solve your
problem or at least identify the source of the problem. And... good luck!

Lang

Lang

 

[Ed Smega]

Lang,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. This may be the problem. I know
the system sees the device, I get an audible confirmation when it is plugged
in and again when unplugged. Would this be a problem with ANY usb flash
drive or does vista somehow know this is an mp3 player. On my XP system it
is treated exactly the same as a flash memory device. My first thought was
this might be some DRM issue, but how would vista know?

I can't do any experimenting with this, the vista system belongs to my
friend - the XP system is mine. When we recorded some audio files to load
onto my player we ran into this problem. I just hate to use the media
software when I am accustomed to using explorer.

Ed

 

[Lang Murphy]

Lang,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. This may be the problem. I know
the system sees the device, I get an audible confirmation when it is
plugged in and again when unplugged. Would this be a problem with ANY usb
flash drive or does vista somehow know this is an mp3 player. On my XP
system it is treated exactly the same as a flash memory device. My first
thought was this might be some DRM issue, but how would vista know?

I can't do any experimenting with this, the vista system belongs to my
friend - the XP system is mine. When we recorded some audio files to load
onto my player we ran into this problem. I just hate to use the media
software when I am accustomed to using explorer.

Ed

Ed,

Sorry to say I don't know the answer to your problem. I have a Sansa Express
MP3 player that I just connected to one of my Vista boxes for the first time
and it shows up in Explorer without problem. I can copy files to it without
issue.

Must admit; I'm stumped. Sorry, dude. If you figure it out, let the ng know.

Lang

 

[Ed Smega]

Lang,
The good news is that, based on your experience, it should work. At least I
am not trying to do the impossible. Thanks for your help.

Ed

 

[Lang Murphy]

Lang,
The good news is that, based on your experience, it should work. At least
I am not trying to do the impossible. Thanks for your help.

Ed

Ed,

Well, based on my experience with a Sansa Express MP3 player, yes, it should
work. Have any other "issues" with USB devices occurred on that PC?

Lang