USB Flash Drive problems with XP.

[Ben Hogland]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Sandisk Micro Cruzer 512M USB flash drive. It
works fine on my Win2K at work. It works fine on my Win98SE after
loading the driver. It will not work on my Win XP Athlon 2000+ system
(MSI KT3 Ultra mother board with VIA chipset, USB 2.0).

It says 'Unknown Device" in the device manager listed under USB,
however, it says "This device is working correctly". . I have tried to
uninstall the USB drivers and letting it re-recognize/reload them. I
have tried updating my BIOS and the drivers. All USB ports work with
other devices fine. Can anyone shed any light on this issue?

Thanks,

Ben

 

[Abhilash Tibrewal\(MCSA\)]

You do not need any drivers to use a USB flash drive in XP, so uninstall any
drivers you may have installed. Now check whether the Sandisk drive has
affinity for a particular drive letter. Check the drive letter the thumb
drive is claiming on different systems. Now check whether this drive letter
has been already taken by another device on the affected computer. This may
be a CD, DVD drive or network resource. You may need to change drive letter
assignments using Disk Management.

Start>Run>diskmgmt.msc

To free a drive letter, right click the drive occupying the drive letter and
select "Select Drive letter and path".

Let us know if this helps.

 

[Pavel A.]

Try it with a powered USB1 or USB2 hub.
--PA

 

[Ben Hogland]

Try it with a powered USB1 or USB2 hub.
--PA

I don't have a powered USB hub. My current MB has 6 ports.. I've tried
all of them to no avail. I've even unplugged everything else and tired
it to no avail. I'm trying to avoid extra expense as a new powered hub
would likely cost more than the flash memory. Maybe I can borrowed a
powered hub on Monday from work just to see if that works. I still don't
understand why it wouldn't work with my current system. Is there a way
to downgrade to USB 1.1 and try it? It's suppose to be USB 2.0
compatible but I'd like to try USB 1.1 if possible. I don't see how to
do that.

Thanks,

Ben

 

[Ben Hogland]

You do not need any drivers to use a USB flash drive in XP, so
uninstall any drivers you may have installed. Now check whether the
Sandisk drive has
affinity for a particular drive letter. Check the drive letter the
thumb drive is claiming on different systems. Now check whether this
drive letter
has been already taken by another device on the affected computer.
This may be a CD, DVD drive or network resource. You may need to
change drive letter
assignments using Disk Management.

Start>Run>diskmgmt.msc

To free a drive letter, right click the drive occupying the drive
letter and select "Select Drive letter and path".

Let us know if this helps.

I went and checked that. It doesn't appear that is the problem. It when
looking in the Device Manager, it shows up as an Unknown Device (not a
USB drive). It says it's working correctly but does not know what it
is.. I did not load any drivers for it because it does not have XP
drivers except for Win 98SE. I checked for other drives using your
method. It does not list this drive. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Ben

 

[Pavel A.]

Maybe I can borrowed a
powered hub on Monday from work just to see if that works.

Ok, I'll wait till Monday

Is there a way
to downgrade to USB 1.1 and try it? It's suppose to be USB 2.0
compatible but I'd like to try USB 1.1 if possible. I don't see how to
do that.

Same. Get also an USB 1.1 hub, when connected to USB2 host, it will "downgrade".

Why it doesn't Just Work As Is? All hardware products are made per standard,
but some are more equal than others, and soeme are less equal.
--PA

 

[Thagor]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Sandisk Micro Cruzer 512M USB flash drive. It
works fine on my Win2K at work. It works fine on my Win98SE after
loading the driver. It will not work on my Win XP Athlon 2000+ system
(MSI KT3 Ultra mother board with VIA chipset, USB 2.0).

It says 'Unknown Device" in the device manager listed under USB,
however, it says "This device is working correctly". . I have tried to
uninstall the USB drivers and letting it re-recognize/reload them. I
have tried updating my BIOS and the drivers. All USB ports work with
other devices fine. Can anyone shed any light on this issue?

Thanks,

Ben

If it works with a W2k system, then the XP system has a problem. More
than likely the VIA drivers are out of date. With the usb drive inserted,
go to Windows Update and get it up to speed. If that doesn't get you
there, go and find the latest VIA 4 in 1 drivers and install them.

 

[Ben Hogland]

If it works with a W2k system, then the XP system has a problem. More
than likely the VIA drivers are out of date. With the usb drive
inserted,
go to Windows Update and get it up to speed. If that doesn't get you
there, go and find the latest VIA 4 in 1 drivers and install them.

It really amazes me regardless of time or place when people refuse to
read the content of a message. No offense intended, but my system has
the latest VIA drivers. It was fairly obvious when I stated "I have
tried updating my BIOS and the drivers.".. I understand that some people
just can't read but it sure would make for less bandwidth if they could.

Sorry, to those that honestly want to help.

Thagor. I'll give you a bit of advise since you took the time to give me
your version of advise. Learn to read the written word. I tire of
dealing with huge EGOs who only want to hear themselves reverb their
glorious word without regard to facts.

Thanks..

Ben

 

[David Vair]

Ben, sometimes people pick up things mid-thread and don't have all the information provided. Your
attitiude toward Thagor, who didn't have to offer help but did, will most likely limit future help
from others. People don't post in these newsgroups to enhance their ego's, they do it to try and
help others. So instead of flamming those who try to give you help be a little more gracius or don't
expect any future help because no one likes to help a person that is going to go off on them for
trying to help.

 

[Irwin Opper]

DITTO



Ben, sometimes people pick up things mid-thread and don't have all the
information provided. Your
attitiude toward Thagor, who didn't have to offer help but did, will most
likely limit future help
from others. People don't post in these newsgroups to enhance their ego's,
they do it to try and
help others. So instead of flamming those who try to give you help be a
little more gracius or don't
expect any future help because no one likes to help a person that is going
to go off on them for
trying to help.

 

[Fred S]

Well Ben, since you are such a smart ass towards someone who offered
assistance, you're on your own, big mouth.

Have a nice day!

Fred

 

[Ben Hogland]

Ben, sometimes people pick up things mid-thread and don't have all the
information provided. Your attitiude toward Thagor, who didn't have
to offer help but did, will most likely limit future help from others.
People don't post in these newsgroups to enhance their ego's, they do
it to try and help others. So instead of flamming those who try to
give you help be a little more gracius or don't expect any future help
because no one likes to help a person that is going to go off on them
for trying to help.

You're right. I apologize to Thagor. It was late and I was irritable. In
hind site, I shouldn't have let it bother me like that and I shouldn't
have flamed him.

As far as the USB flash drive problem, I found that it works when I boot
to Linux so it's not a board problem. I know can access it via my
network to my 98SE system. I will reload XP when I have the time to back
it up properly and I would imagine that will fix the issue. In the mean
time, I have a work around. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions/help.

Ben

 

[David Vair]

One thing you may want to try is to delete the USB stuff (the controllers and the hubs) from the
Device Manager and let Windows reinstall them for you. Maybe a system file got mangled and this may
refresh them for you.

 

[Ben Hogland]

One thing you may want to try is to delete the USB stuff (the
controllers and the hubs) from the Device Manager and let Windows
reinstall them for you. Maybe a system file got mangled and this may
refresh them for you.

Thanks for the suggestion, David. I tried that and it reloaded the USB
stuff but it still reported an "unknown Device" when I plugged in the
flash drive. I'm resolved now to reload XP. I've never had to reload XP
before. This install is over two years old and is the original install
from the factory. When I booted to Linux, it was from CD, not the HD.
Now the question is, when I re-install XP, will it remember my existing
programs/email/profile info? I'm not sure I want to try a fresh install
just yet if I can do a re-install over the top. I suppose the chances of
fixing the USB issue is remote if doing this way but I'd rather take it
incrementally if possible. Is there a way to reinstall windows XP over
the existing install without losing installed programs?

Thanks,

Ben

 

[David Vair]

Depending on the type of CD provided you can do a Repair install and not lose programs and settings.
Follow the information here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

Some OEM CD's will not let you do a repair thats why I said first part, if this is your case you
will need to back up your data and perform a clean install.

 

[Shelly F]

Thanks for the suggestion, David. I tried that and it reloaded the USB
stuff but it still reported an "unknown Device" when I plugged in the
flash drive. I'm resolved now to reload XP. I've never had to reload XP
before. This install is over two years old and is the original install
from the factory. When I booted to Linux, it was from CD, not the HD.
Now the question is, when I re-install XP, will it remember my existing
programs/email/profile info? I'm not sure I want to try a fresh install
just yet if I can do a re-install over the top. I suppose the chances of
fixing the USB issue is remote if doing this way but I'd rather take it
incrementally if possible. Is there a way to reinstall windows XP over
the existing install without losing installed programs?

Thanks,

Ben

Dpes it say 'data is invalid'? If so, try this;
This should fix it:
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/Tips.htm#probleminst
Change entries that have 'read only' for USB to 'full permissions'
and reboot.
Be careful while editing the registry.

 

[Thagor]

It really amazes me regardless of time or place when people refuse to
read the content of a message. No offense intended, but my system has
the latest VIA drivers. It was fairly obvious when I stated "I have
tried updating my BIOS and the drivers.".. I understand that some people
just can't read but it sure would make for less bandwidth if they could.

Sorry, to those that honestly want to help.

Thagor. I'll give you a bit of advise since you took the time to give me
your version of advise. Learn to read the written word. I tire of
dealing with huge EGOs who only want to hear themselves reverb their
glorious word without regard to facts.

Thanks..

Ben

Sorry that didn't help. I thought for sure it would get you out of the
bind. I will try to control my ego in the future.

 

[Ben Hogland]

Depending on the type of CD provided you can do a Repair install and
not lose programs and settings. Follow the information here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

Some OEM CD's will not let you do a repair thats why I said first
part, if this is your case you will need to back up your data and
perform a clean install.

David, I'll try reloading XP next weekend. Along with your post, the
info in the link you provided answers all of my questions regarding
reinstalling XP.

Thanks for your extremely knowledgeable replies.

Ben

 

[Robert.uk]

Hi I had a problem with a crucial usb flash deive on my hp dv1004a
laptop it would not run it would run ok in a powered hub.
To day 17 august I down loaded ( windows XP-KB899588-x86-ENU
security update Microsoft corporation and now the usb drive will wor
fine in the laptop .
Iv no idea why , but if it helps anyone

http://tinyurl.com/7q8kd

Rob

 

[Yves Leclerc]

I do know that on VIA chipsets, you may need to have their USB filter
drivers installed.