disk drive letters

[rstoddard]

This problem conerns Widnows XP. The computer is a Dell
Dimension 4300S. I have a strange problem that just
started to happen whenever I do an update from microsoft
or sometimes when I install a new program. My disk drive
letters get mixed up. I have been using two external
drives through a USB2 hub. They have always been assigned
letters F and G. I regularly turn these drives off and
sometimes remove them to use on another computer. I have
been doing this for about a year with no problems. Now,
all of a sudden this: what happens after an update or
installation of a new program is that F turns to G and G
turns to H. Of course, I cannot use these files with the
programs that created them, as they are looking for them
on the other drives. When I look in My Computer, the F
drive is there, but it has a big red question mark on it.
I know how to reassign the drive letters by going into
Disk Management through the Control Panel. However, when
I click on Change Drive Letter, it only lets me change
the letter to G or later; F is not accessable. I have
been doing System Restores to correct this, but then I
lose the update or new program that I installed. Any help
with this situation will be greatly appreciated.

 

[myth-unit]

Sounds like the 'F:' drive is not being unmounted properly
when you remove it/turn it off - do you use the "Safely
Remove Hardware" tool (which is probably displayed in your
system tray)?

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
Sounds like the 'F:' drive is not being unmounted properly
when you remove it/turn it off - do you use the "Safely
Remove Hardware" tool (which is probably displayed in your
system tray)?
.

No, I haven't. That sounds like a logical solution.
Someone also told me to have all the drives connected and
on when I do an update or install new software. I'll try
your way first. Thanks for your help.