I need to enable USB in control BIOS

[AvatarMN]

I'm having a lot of trouble with communication between Windows XP and my
Optimea Attache flash drive. When I try to copy files to the flash drive, or
even delete the few files I managed to get onto the flash drive, connections
are brief, slow, and quickly fail commpletely. I get all kinds of bad
communication warnings; cannot read from the source file or disk, incorrect
path or filename, parameter is incorrect, I/O device error.

I tried calling PNY's tech support, and got an automated system that advised
me to make sure USB was enabled in the control BIOS. How do I do that?

 

[Ghostrider]

I'm having a lot of trouble with communication between Windows XP and my
Optimea Attache flash drive. When I try to copy files to the flash drive, or
even delete the few files I managed to get onto the flash drive, connections
are brief, slow, and quickly fail commpletely. I get all kinds of bad
communication warnings; cannot read from the source file or disk, incorrect
path or filename, parameter is incorrect, I/O device error.

I tried calling PNY's tech support, and got an automated system that advised
me to make sure USB was enabled in the control BIOS. How do I do that?

Let's do it the easy way. In Control Panel, click on System and then on
the Hardware tab. Click on the button in Device Manager. At the bottom
of the dispay, there should be a listing for "Universal Serial Bus
Controller". Expand it. If a list results without any warning or danger
signs, then USB is working properly. The problem is the PNY flash drive,
esp. if the size is greater than 4 GB.

 

[AvatarMN]

Let's do it the easy way. In Control Panel, click on System and then on
the Hardware tab. Click on the button in Device Manager. At the bottom
of the dispay, there should be a listing for "Universal Serial Bus
Controller". Expand it. If a list results without any warning or danger
signs, then USB is working properly. The problem is the PNY flash drive,
esp. if the size is greater than 4 GB.

Expanding the USB controllers list, I got a exclamation point warning on USB
Mass Storage device that read...

"Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for
"safe removal", but it has not been removed from the computer. (Code 47)

To fix this problem, unplug this device from your computer and then plug it
in again."

....except it was in fact unplugged, and no amount of plugging it in and
safely removing the device gets rid of the warning, or makes communication
with the flash drive any better.

Would exchanging the flash drive help, when Windows is convinced there's
already one prepared for removal but not removed? Is there any way to
convince Windows that it's not there?

 

[GHalleck]

Expanding the USB controllers list, I got a exclamation point warning on USB
Mass Storage device that read...

"Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for
"safe removal", but it has not been removed from the computer. (Code 47)

To fix this problem, unplug this device from your computer and then plug it
in again."

...except it was in fact unplugged, and no amount of plugging it in and
safely removing the device gets rid of the warning, or makes communication
with the flash drive any better.

Would exchanging the flash drive help, when Windows is convinced there's
already one prepared for removal but not removed? Is there any way to
convince Windows that it's not there?

Try testing the USB port with another flash drive, preferably by
another maker such as Lexar, Kanguru, etc. The PNY flash drive could
be defective. If the problem persists with another USB device, then
turn off the computer and perform a cold re-start. If problem repeats,
delete and re-install the USB drivers.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I'm having a lot of trouble with communication between Windows XP and my
Optimea Attache flash drive. When I try to copy files to the flash drive,
or
even delete the few files I managed to get onto the flash drive,
connections
are brief, slow, and quickly fail commpletely. I get all kinds of bad
communication warnings; cannot read from the source file or disk,
incorrect
path or filename, parameter is incorrect, I/O device error.

Sounds like a failing device. Unfortunately, these are generally not
repairable.

I tried calling PNY's tech support, and got an automated system that
advised
me to make sure USB was enabled in the control BIOS. How do I do that?

There's a simple test.
Do any other USB devices work on those ports?

If so, USB is enabled and the proper drivers are installed.

If not, locate the motherboard chipset drivers for your system. You can
find these at the manufacturer's site.

Check the Device Manager *without* the PNY drive attached. If there are no
exclamations or warnings, the system is fine, and the problem is with the
external device.

USB thumb drives do have a tendency to suddenly and permanently fail, and
should *not* be regarded as an effective archival medium. Under no
circumstances should the only copy of data with value be kept on such
drives.

HTH
-pk