External USB HD "Device not recognised"

N

Netorius77

I am having a problem with my portable USB HD (3.5"). I want to backup some
data onto it, but get an error. I have two PCs, both running XP Home SP3, and
a laptop running Vista SP1. The one PC (call it PC 1) and my laptop recognise
the drive perfectly and the External HD reads and writes perfectly.

The second PC Call it PC 2) will not load the driver and gives the error
message "USB device not recognised
One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and
windows does not recognise it. For assistance in solving this problem, click
this message" after plugging in the HD. Clicking on the message then shows
the "Unknown Device" in the device manager list (USB Controllers). There is
no item under Disk drives other than my two internal HDDs.

The HDD is a 320GB 3.5†in Seagate external case. It is powered by a
separate powers supply.

I tried to update the “unknown device†driver in device manager by pointing
it to browse the system32 folder, but it does not locate the file. I have
checked on PC 1, and it indicates that it uses the driver USBSTOR.sys. This
file is located in the same system32\drivers folder (same version) on PC 2.

I have tried the following to resolve the problem:

1. I am using the same power supply to the HD (external power) and the same
USB cable to ensure there are no problems there.
2. I am using a USB mouse and keyboard (wireless) and my USB flash drive
works perfectly on PC 2, so I suspect there are no problems with the ports.
3. I have tried plugging into different (including front and rear) ports
with no luck.
4. PC 2 is running 2 internal HDs (with three partitions – C (system), D
(files) on one drive, & G (music) on the second). I renamed the music drive G
instead of F as I read that may be a problem) – no help.
5. I have plugged in a new flash drive and a 2.5†external HDD, both were
recognised and worked perfectly.
6. I disconnected the second internal drive to see if that was causing any
conflict, and that did not help.

I am now at a loss. PLEASE can some one give me some suggestions here?
 
T

Touch Base

I am having a problem with my portable USB HD (3.5"). I want to backup some
data onto it, but get an error. I have two PCs, both running XP Home SP3,
and
a laptop running Vista SP1. The one PC (call it PC 1) and my laptop
recognise
the drive perfectly and the External HD reads and writes perfectly.

The second PC Call it PC 2) will not load the driver and gives the error
message "USB device not recognised
One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and
windows does not recognise it. For assistance in solving this problem, click
this message" after plugging in the HD. Clicking on the message then shows
the "Unknown Device" in the device manager list (USB Controllers). There is
no item under Disk drives other than my two internal HDDs.

The HDD is a 320GB 3.5" in Seagate external case. It is powered by a
separate powers supply.

I tried to update the "unknown device" driver in device manager by pointing
it to browse the system32 folder, but it does not locate the file. I have
checked on PC 1, and it indicates that it uses the driver USBSTOR.sys. This
file is located in the same system32\drivers folder (same version) on PC 2.

I have tried the following to resolve the problem:

1. I am using the same power supply to the HD (external power) and the same
USB cable to ensure there are no problems there.
2. I am using a USB mouse and keyboard (wireless) and my USB flash drive
works perfectly on PC 2, so I suspect there are no problems with the ports.
3. I have tried plugging into different (including front and rear) ports
with no luck.
4. PC 2 is running 2 internal HDs (with three partitions - C (system), D
(files) on one drive, & G (music) on the second). I renamed the music drive
G
instead of F as I read that may be a problem) - no help.
5. I have plugged in a new flash drive and a 2.5" external HDD, both were
recognised and worked perfectly.
6. I disconnected the second internal drive to see if that was causing any
conflict, and that did not help.

I am now at a loss. PLEASE can some one give me some suggestions here?

===================================================
USB Devices Not Recognized
http://www.ntcompatible.com/Desperately_need_help_---_USB_Devices_Not_Recognized_t32356.html
From one of the posters: vitalviking
"Someone on one of the newsgroups to which I am subscribed suggested not
only closing down my computer but also switching it off at the mains socket.
Seemingly this allows any residual current on the motherboard or any stray
capacitance to discharge.
Believe it or not it worked! I now have all my USB ports and devices working
as I want them.
Hope it works for you - it must be worth a try :)"

[TB: That has worked for me in the past when I have received this error
message]

Advanced troubleshooting tips for general USB problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575/

USB port may stop working after you remove or insert a USB device
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;817900



--
Regards,
Touch Base
Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit

"There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy
to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know
how to use my telephone."
(Bjarne Stroustrup)
 
N

Netorius77

Thanks for this suggestion. I tried disconnecting the power and then
restarting, but it didn't help me. I still get the "unknown Device" message.

At a loss here...
 
N

Netorius77

I found the following post that seemed relevant:

"...Every time a USB gadget is plugged into a computer then removed it
leaves a ghost of itself behind. This confuses windows sometimes.
Try this:
• Make sure the HD is not plugged in
• Right click my comp then choose properties then choose advanced tab.
• Click on environment variables down at the bottom of the page.
• Choose new in the SYSTEM variables box. (if you choose User box the
changes are only made to that particular user) - A new Box will open..
• In Variable name type: DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES
• In Variable value type: 1
• Then click ok, ok and ok.

Now open up device manager. To do this Right click my comp choose properties
then choose hardware tab then click on device manager. When device manager
opens, click view(at the top) then select show hidden devices.

Device manager will now show the usual hidden devices and the Ghosted ones.
The Ghosted ones are recognisable as they are shadowed/greyed out.
Expand Disk Drives by clicking on the + sign. You might see several entries
relating to your portable USB HD (eg you should recognise the name/brand of
it) Right click these entries and uninstall.

make sure any ghosted entries of unknown devices are also uninstalled

Now unplug ALL USB devices and reboot. Have a nice clean stack of USB’s
available.

Once rebooted the USB HD should be recognised again as new harware, let it
install as per normal..."

Unfortunately in my case, it didn't help. I am beginning to believe that
there may be some firmware issue with the portable HDD.
 

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