Windows Explorer does NOT find devices (but are working USB device

[Guest]

I have 2 USB "Storage Vaults" (external hard drives) which I have used for
several months with no problem (Windows XP-Pro). 5 days ago, they suddenly
stopped appearing as visible drives using Windows Explorer. They
both,however, DO show up in Control panel/Systems . . and both are indicated
to be "working properly." But, Windows Explorer does NOT FIND THEM, so I have
no way to browse the contents, delete files, etc. I've tried EVERYTHING I can
think of . . . but WIndows Explorer still doesn't find these 2 drives. What
can I do? Thanks. Jim

 

[Sharon F]

I have 2 USB "Storage Vaults" (external hard drives) which I have used for
several months with no problem (Windows XP-Pro). 5 days ago, they suddenly
stopped appearing as visible drives using Windows Explorer. They
both,however, DO show up in Control panel/Systems . . and both are indicated
to be "working properly." But, Windows Explorer does NOT FIND THEM, so I have
no way to browse the contents, delete files, etc. I've tried EVERYTHING I can
think of . . . but WIndows Explorer still doesn't find these 2 drives. What
can I do? Thanks. Jim

When the drives are showing in Disk Management but not Explorer, check that
they have valid drive letters assigned to them. Also be sure that you are
not hiding those letters with XP tweaking software - for example, TweakUI
for XP is capable of hiding drives in Explorer.

Other suggestions:
Shut down. Disconnect the drives. Start the computer. Then hot plug the usb
drives so that XP will remount them.

Try to get them attached to the same USB ports you usually use and if that
doesn't work, try different ports. Wouldn't hurt to try them on another XP
computer as well to be sure that the drives and enclosures are working.

It's very important with external drives to "safely remove hardware" before
disconnecting. Powering down normally with them still connected works too
but there will be extra time required at shutdown for XP to dismount them
properly.

 

[Guest]

Hi Sharon

Thanks for replying. I'll respond to your suggestions below in brackets [ ]

When the drives are showing in Disk Management but not Explorer, check that
they have valid drive letters assigned to them.

[QUESTION: How do I do that?]

Also be sure that you are

not hiding those letters with XP tweaking software - for example, TweakUI
for XP is capable of hiding drives in Explorer.

[No. I do not have any such software.]

Other suggestions:
Shut down. Disconnect the drives. Start the computer. Then hot plug the usb
drives so that XP will remount them.

[I tried this again just now at your suggestion. Nothing changes.]

Try to get them attached to the same USB ports you usually use and if that
doesn't work, try different ports.

[I have no more "spare" USB ports. I have plugged them back into the only 2
free ports]

Wouldn't hurt to try them on another XP

computer as well to be sure that the drives and enclosures are working.

[I don't have another computer.]

 

[Unknown]

Do they (the drives) show up when you click start--my computer? Can you
right click on them?

 

[Guest]

No, they do not.

Do they (the drives) show up when you click start--my computer? Can you
right click on them?

 

[Unknown]

Have you tried removing both discs, power off then on, connect one of the
discs to a USB port and go to control panel and click on add hardware?.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help.

Yes, I have tried that. No change. Windows Explorer does not find the
drives.

 

[Unknown]

If you are sure you have power to the drives, can you try one of them in
another USB port?

 

[Guest]

I've tried that. I appreciate your effort to help me. But at this point, I
am going to call MS tech support ($40) and get this solved.

Best wishes. Jim

 

[Sharon F]

When the drives are showing in Disk Management but not Explorer, check that
they have valid drive letters assigned to them.

[QUESTION: How do I do that?]

In Disk Management, every drive that is displayed should also be displaying
a drive letter. If it is not, right click on the drive and choose "Change
Drive Letter." A new dialog appears where you can select a letter for the
drive.

Personally, I use this tool right after installing Windows to reassign the
letters for my optical drives. I use M: and N: leaving a healthy stretch of
available letters between them and C: and D: (my two hard drives) for
anything that gets attached temporarily.