Disk Drives disappeared after Auto Update

[Jean L.]

After one of the last few updates two disk drives disappeared (G and H). This
has happened before and I have been able to get them back by doing a System
Restore. I tried it again this time (System Restore can only go back to Dec
29, 2007; nothing available before this date) but still G: and H: have not
re-appeared. I tried Microsoft Knowledge Base Article ID 307844 "How to
change drive letter assignments in Windows XP" but got to #4 on How to
assigne drive letter and "Change Drive Letter and Paths" does not appear (or
appears greyed out). I use one of these drives to upload photos off Compact
Flash card. Appreciate any help on resolving this. Please keep instructions
basic; we're not IT people. Thanks.

 

[Leonard Grey]

What hardware devices use these drive letters?

 

[Jean L.]

One is Compact Flash Reader

What hardware devices use these drive letters?

 

[Leonard Grey]

Windows XP dynamically assigns the next available drive letter to
removable devices. You cannot 'reserve' a drive letter for your device
and once you remove the device its current drive letter assignment is
abandoned. There are some workarounds, however, if you're technically
inclined.

"The Care and Feeding of USB Storage Devices in CP"
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28888&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

 

[smlunatick]

One is Compact Flash Reader





- Show quoted text -

This "compact flash" drive is a USB device and you might have to
remove thos device from Device Manager and then re-connect it so that
the XP should re-detect it.

As for assigning perminate drive letters, consider USBDLM
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html

 

[Jean L.]

Thanks, I'll check on Bill Caster's posting.

I understand that drive letters cannot be "reserved". What I don't
understand is that the drives just disappear. Using Disk Management shows
drive C: and 2 drives with no names. Right clicking on the nameless drives
does not give the option to Change Drive Letter or Path. The one nameless
drive (after right clicking) shows only "Help" and the second one "Help" and
"Delete Partition". All other options as greyed out.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Bill's posting will also explain about 'phantom drives' and give you a
link to a handy (and free) utility that will drive a stake through the
phantom's heart.