USB Flash Drive will not work

ddemborg · #1 09-20-2004, 12:02 PM

I am running Windows XP (SP2)
Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop, Pentium 2.8
Mcafee Virus software (online version)

When I plug a Sandisk Flash Drive into a USB port I see a window that says I need to install a driver, I let the system search for one, nothing is found on the machine or internet and the device will not work.. (doesn't show up in window explorer). I do see it in device manager as a sandisk cruzer mini w/ a yellow question mark. Properties indicate a driver is not installed. SanDisk info says a driver is not needed with XP.

When I connect the device into my desktop machine (Windows XP [SP2], Pentium 2.66, Mcafee virus software) id works fine..

Please let me know what I can do to resolve this problem..

patrickjb · #2 09-20-2004, 01:12 PM

I get the exact same message on my desktop with my USB Flash drive. But my Flash drive still works after I get the message, so I've ignored it. I had been looking around for a solution. I will post here if I find one.

bbeard67 · #3 09-20-2004, 02:28 PM

Go to Control Panel-->Administrative tools-->Computer Management-->Disk Management, then change the your Removable Disk (on the right bottom of the dialog window, just right click it to change) to another drive letter so it wouldn't conflict with the existing ones. That should do it.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297694

ddemborg · #4 09-20-2004, 09:51 PM

Thanks for the tip.. Maybe you have other things I can try.
When I get to 'disk management', the only drives that show up are my 'C' Drive and 'D' Drive... apparently the USB flash drive isn't being recognized as a 'disk' ... I shows up in device manager with a yellow question mark under "Other Devices", cruzer mini w/ a yellow (!), location (0).. drivers are not installed [code 28].

thanks again

bbeard67 · #5 09-21-2004, 03:51 AM

If your plugging it into front usb ports, try the back usb ports
I've read a couple posts where the usb drive needs to be hooked up to usb1 which ae usually in the back of computers

Does the drive show up in windows explorer (as a cdrom maybe)

remove the sandisk from device manager (with the exclamation) and restart to make windows redetect it

ddemborg · #6 09-21-2004, 11:26 PM

my two USB's are on the back, neither works
It shows up as "Other "Device", not a drive or storage
I tried the uninstall and let windows try to redetect.. still wants a driver and it cant find one on the machine or internet..

any more suggestions would be appreciated.. I am about convinced I need to format the C drive and reintall XP..
Hope someone can come up with a quicker solution before I decide I have to do that..

bbeard67 · #7 09-22-2004, 03:34 AM

I've seen alot of people writing that the sp2 upgrade is removing thier usb controller from device manager
Does anything else work in the usb ports?

ddemborg · #8 09-22-2004, 10:59 PM

Yes, I my mouse, printer, flloppy drive and a compact flash drive (for my camera) all work fine.
for some reason... I dont think XP is recognizing it as a flash drive, since it shows up in device manager as 'Other Device'... My compact flash drive shows up as a storage device in Device Manager.
I tend to think it may be a registry problem, but dont know where to look.. SanDisk support suggested deleting some registry entries, but they weren't there to delete.. I am also trying to get support from them, but don't seem to be able to see the posts I should be getting from them,.. I may have to try to work it out on thier 800 number, or as I said, reload XP.. any other help you can offer will be appreciated...
Thanks.......

hodgehj · #9 10-04-2004, 03:10 PM

I have similar problem where the drive is recognized in DOS but not the GUI. It happens on my MiniCruzer as well as another USB Flash drive. Both work fine on another system.
I have tried redoing drive letters, removing rebooting, reinstalling, and voodoo but I have not had any luck.
I have seen notes where it could be relateed to SP2 and/or TweakUI? Has anyone else heard of that?

Thanks,
Harry

braindead · #10 10-10-2004, 05:08 PM

I had to install drivers for my stick before it would be seen as a drive. They came with my stick.

micaudwell · #11 10-11-2004, 04:16 PM

I am experiencing exactly the same symptoms as ddemborg - in my case a 'Super Talent Flash' 256 MB USB Flash drive, but otherwise pretty much the same ie other USB devices work fine, the XP keeps asking for a driver but can't find one, the device is detected but listed as 'Other device' with a yellow exclamation mark, code 28 Drivers are not installed etc.

This must be a generic problem - any advice gratefully received.

Many thanks

Mike

just4tap · #12 02-13-2008, 06:22 PM

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com...-not-work.html
Did anyone solve this problem _YES YES YES it is in the registry...I had this problem a while ago because I plugged in a cell photo data cable - susteen to be exact - and I solved it the first time - but I have a new cable , hoping not to have the same thing happen with the new updated cable - well YUP! and this time I can't figure out how to fix the reg.
Anyone?!?!?!?!?!