USB mass storage device

[Guest]

When I insert a USB mass storage device (micro disk or digital camera) and go
to access it, the message "disk is not formatted" comes up, and it is not
possible to access any of the data on that drive. The devices work perfectly
in other computers, and the USB ports are working OK (can connect and use
other USB devices in them).
USB drivers have been reloaded, and I have tried undoing recent (beyond when
the problem first occurred about a year ago) WinXP updates. Any suggestions
please about what the problem may be, and how it could be fixed?

 

[Smoker]

When I insert a USB mass storage device (micro disk or digital camera) and
go
to access it, the message "disk is not formatted" comes up, and it is not
possible to access any of the data on that drive. The devices work
perfectly
in other computers, and the USB ports are working OK (can connect and use
other USB devices in them).
USB drivers have been reloaded, and I have tried undoing recent (beyond
when
the problem first occurred about a year ago) WinXP updates. Any
suggestions
please about what the problem may be, and how it could be fixed?

---
There are various fixes and they don't all work for everyone. Try turning
off your machine and connect what can't be detected or what's claimed needs
formatted. Startup and hope it gets detected. It's been said the Windows
gets confused by the changing drive letters and assigning the devices a
permanent drive letter way down the alphabet will resolve the issue. Get
TwekUI as it makes this chore easy. This nay not work. You'll have to search
Google maybe and try other things that may have worked for others. Some
involve editing the Registry.

 

[V Green]

---

This will sound weird, and I didn't believe it myself
until it happened to me.

Unplug all power from your machine (AC cord if desktop,
remove battery if laptop).

PRESS & HOLD power switch for 60 sec.

Put cord or battery back.

Power up and try connecting problem USB device.

Doesn't work for everybody, not sure why it does WHEN it
does, but it's easy to try.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately it didn't work for me - but worth a
try. After much research, I think I traced a fault (possibly causing my
problem) to a bad sector on the hard disk. During this process I also noted
that the 3 1/2" floppy drive would also not recognize boot disks, etc.
Applying a disk fix and then repairing Windows has solved the problem about
not being able to read data on mass storage devices. Now the task is to get
a new hard drive installed, and start over again with a clean copy of Windows.

It seems that the causes of problems are not always what one would expect
from the initial diagnosis of the problem.