USB flash drive not appearing in My Computer

[SLW612]

I am running Windows XP Pro and I have owned a Dane Elec 256 mb flash drive
and when I plug it into my computer it appears as drive E:\ and I am able to
access the contents with no problems.

Today, however, I upgraded to a new SanDisk Cruser Micro 2GB flash drive and
when I plug it into the same USB port I have been using for my other flash,
the popup window appears that says "found new hardware" and successfully
installs the driver. However, the only drives connected when I open (and
close and open a few times to refresh) are C:\ D:\ and A:\ ... Device manager
says the USB device is operating properly, but I am unable to access it. Any
ideas why and how I can fix this problem?

 

[JoAnn Paules]

I'd try inserting it in another computer to see if it works there.

--

JoAnn Paules
Microsoft MVP - Publisher

How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Bob I]

Look up Disk Management in Windows Help, and see if it is being
recognized, otherwise ask in a group for WindowsXP.

 

[Mary Sauer]

A computer that is running Windows XP cannot detect a USB thumb drive, an Apple
iPod, or an external hard disk drive
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196/en-us

 

[Harlan Grove]

Today, however, I upgraded to a new SanDisk Cruser Micro 2GB
flash drive and when I plug it into the same USB port I have been
using for my other flash, the popup window appears that says "found
new hardware" and successfully installs the driver. However, the
only drives connected when I open (and close and open a few times
to refresh) are C:\ D:\ and A:\ ... Device manager says the USB
device is operating properly, but I am unable to access it. Any
ideas why and how I can fix this problem?

Did you try rebooting then checking whether you could access the USB
drive? Plug & Play isn't 100% reliable, but rebooting often solves
problems with newly installed hardware and drivers.

If you have rebooted, and it still doesn't work, Google Groups Search
is your friend.

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.os.windows-xp/msg/1a512c3fa16dab24?dmode=source&hl=en

Don't bother reading the rest of that particular thread. It's a fine
example of unmoderated newsgroup heat without light.

Or read this thread.

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...nd_support/browse_frm/thread/d28632cecf34b3f6

But either way, this isn't an Office problem. You'd have better luck
getting your messages read by Windows/hardware experts if you posted
in a Windows-specific newsgroup, like

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...t.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware

People in most newsgroups try to be helpful, but it's usually a good
idea not to ask lawyers to install toilets or plumbers to review
wills.

 

[tlvp]

...

From time to time our XP Home system manifests the same behavior. Some

time ago, therefore, when XP did recognize the drive, I created a
short-cut to it and put that on the desktop. Now, whenever XP claims
not to see that thumb drive, I double-click that short-cut, and Poof!
-- an Explorer window opens up showing me what's on the drive XP
claims not to see? Why? Beats me. Hope it works for you, too.

-- tlvp

 

[tlvp]

...
-- an Explorer window opens up showing me what's on the drive XP
claims not to see? Why? Beats me. Hope it works for you, too.

Typo: that was meant to affirm, not to pose a question: "...showing me
what's on the drive XP claims not to see."

-- tlvp

 

[carlover95]

i had the _*exact_same*_ problem as you. i checked out disk management
saw that G: is the removable disk, i went into my computer. saw that g
is a mapped drive-disconnected it...and the g: removable thumb driv
appeared...p