MP3 player and USB

[Bill Again]

My MP3 player is not recognised by my PC when I plug it into a USB port. My
PC recognises and operates all the other USB devices that I use.

When I plug in the MP3 player a helpful window pops up called "MTP Media
Player" that asks me what I want Windows to do. Despite sounding so helpful,
the window is empty of suggestions.

In System Properties, Hardware, Device Manager, an MP3 player is shown. It
shows up with a new entry, "Windows Portable Devices - MTP Device". It
alleges that everything is working. But it is not.

There is nothing wrong with the MP3 player, it works fine on my laptop. On
the laptop Device Manager window it appears under "Storage Medium". There is
no "Storage Medium" entry on my PC Devices Manager window .

I suspect, with no real evidence, that a Windows update has interfered with
access to the MP3 player. If that is so then I have no idea which one it
might be. If I did then I might try uninstalling it.

I have tried;

1. Uninstalling all USB ports and rebooting.

2. Checking that there are enough drive letters allowed for it to be shown

3. Checking Windows support for advice.

4. Checking the mainboard manufacturer for advice.

5. Using a powered USB port

6. Using a "direct" USB port, i.e. not through a USB hub.

7. Reinstalling the drivers for the device.

It refuses to play.

Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? Does it happen lots? Has
anyone here experienced it and fixed it?

 

[R. McCarty]

Some MP3 Players draw a large amount of USB Root Hub current.
The limit per Hub is 500mA. Try removing all other USB devices &
then plug in only the MP3 player.
Alternately plug it into your laptop, use Device Manager and check
the Root Hub to see how much current the device draws. If it's value
is above 400mA your other PC cannot power it.

 

[Bill Again]

Thanks. Sounds like a possible useful thing to do. I will give it a try.

 

[Bill Again]

So I can add that to the list of things that didn't work. Thansk for the
suggestion however.

 

[Ray Parrish]

Just a thought... You don't mention opening My Computer and seeing if
Windows is seeing the mp3 player there,

Windows is recognizing your device as it pops up the dialog with your
devices name in it, it just doesn't have any programs associated with
your device to suggest.

Try opening My Computer and see if your mp3 player is there, it should
appear as an extra drive, and can be accessed just like any other drive.

Later, Ray Parrish

 

[Bill Again]

Thanks for the thought, Ray, but no, it doesn't show up in My Computer
either....

 

[Bill Again]

Okay, getting somewhere now. So I Googled "Media Transfer Device" and read
a whole lot of confusing stuff about protocols and whatever, but to cut to
the chase, the MP3 player won't show up in Windows unless at least Media
Player 10 is installed. I hate MediaPlayer but installed v 11. Bingo, up
pops my MP3 player and shows me its contents etc etc.

No, I don't know why.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bill Sharpe]

Okay, getting somewhere now. So I Googled "Media Transfer Device" and read
a whole lot of confusing stuff about protocols and whatever, but to cut to
the chase, the MP3 player won't show up in Windows unless at least Media
Player 10 is installed. I hate MediaPlayer but installed v 11. Bingo, up
pops my MP3 player and shows me its contents etc etc.

No, I don't know why.

Thanks for the help.

Glad you got it working!
I was going to suggest contacting the manufacturer of your player. I
have two: Sandisk is most helpful, Samsung not so much.

Bill