XP doesn't recognize flash drives

[RM]

I'm running XP on a generic P4 box. I've just gone to
Microsoft and downloaded
all the new patches.

I have a Sony Micro Vault that works fine. Other flash
drives, from Belkin
and Lexar, aren't recognized at all. The OS recognizes
that something has
been plugged in, but the device manager just
shows "unknown device" afterwards.

I've tried the Belkin drive on an old Win 98 machine with
a driver downloaded
from Belkin and it works fine. So I know both the drive
and the USB ports work,
but not together.

Any ideas?

 

[Jim Macklin]

Some flash (thumb) drives have a controller and are
recognized when lugged in and some don't. For those you
need a software download, check the Lexar and Belkin
websites.


| I'm running XP on a generic P4 box. I've just gone to
| Microsoft and downloaded
| all the new patches.
|
| I have a Sony Micro Vault that works fine. Other flash
| drives, from Belkin
| and Lexar, aren't recognized at all. The OS recognizes
| that something has
| been plugged in, but the device manager just
| shows "unknown device" afterwards.
|
| I've tried the Belkin drive on an old Win 98 machine with
| a driver downloaded
| from Belkin and it works fine. So I know both the drive
| and the USB ports work,
| but not together.
|
| Any ideas?
|

 

[Guest]

I have done that. They say no driver is necessary
or available for XP systems. I did get drivers for
my old '98 box and the drive runs fine there.

 

[Jim Macklin]

The only thing I can suggest is that you use the device
manager to remove the USB controller, hubs and ports (that
will remove all the drivers) and reboot. Plug and play will
re-detect the USB. Then plug and play will have a shot at
detecting a loading the proper drivers.
I would try the most troublesome thumb drive first so you'll
have the cleanest shot at getting the right driver to load.
Good luck.


| I have done that. They say no driver is necessary
| or available for XP systems. I did get drivers for
| my old '98 box and the drive runs fine there.
|
|
| >-----Original Message-----
| >Some flash (thumb) drives have a controller and are
| >recognized when lugged in and some don't. For those you
| >need a software download, check the Lexar and Belkin
| >websites.
| >
| >
| >| >| I'm running XP on a generic P4 box. I've just gone to
| >| Microsoft and downloaded
| >| all the new patches.
| >|
| >| I have a Sony Micro Vault that works fine. Other flash
| >| drives, from Belkin
| >| and Lexar, aren't recognized at all. The OS recognizes
| >| that something has
| >| been plugged in, but the device manager just
| >| shows "unknown device" afterwards.
| >|
| >| I've tried the Belkin drive on an old Win 98 machine
| with
| >| a driver downloaded
| >| from Belkin and it works fine. So I know both the drive
| >| and the USB ports work,
| >| but not together.
| >|
| >| Any ideas?
| >|
| >
| >
| >.
| >

 

[Frank]

RM wrote:

| I'm running XP on a generic P4 box. I've just gone to
| Microsoft and downloaded
| all the new patches.
|
| I have a Sony Micro Vault that works fine. Other flash
| drives, from Belkin
| and Lexar, aren't recognized at all. The OS recognizes
| that something has
| been plugged in, but the device manager just
| shows "unknown device" afterwards.
|
| I've tried the Belkin drive on an old Win 98 machine with
| a driver downloaded
| from Belkin and it works fine. So I know both the drive
| and the USB ports work,
| but not together.
|
| Any ideas?

Just a shot: Try inserting and then reboot. If it works
it is probably a power saving scheme issue.

 

[RM]

Miraculously, that worked. Now both my flash drives
are working.

Here's the procedure for anyone else reading this
thread:

1. Go to the device manager
2. Delete everything under USB Controllers
3. Reboot
4. Plug in the most fussy device first.
5. Remove that one and plug in other USB devices.