Can't see Flash Drive

missile

Hi,

I am having problems with my wife's Dell mini 10.

It has worked fine before but today it will not see my Flashdrive. Device manager has the flashdrive listed and reports that it is working correctly. I cannot see it on my computer.

I am using Windows XP with the latest updates installed.

Any ideas or advice? :A

RussJK

So you've tried the flash drive on two computers, and it doesn't show up in 'My Computer'?

Does the flash drive light up or give any indication that it's been powered?

Does it show up in the disk management tools? http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/disk-management-xp.htm

Does it show up in Testdisk? http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

If it's got nothing important on it, a quick fix would be to format (full erase) it with SD Formatter https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/

missile

Hi Russ,

Many thanks for your prompt response.:T

Flash drive works fine on a.n.other computers and I have previously used this flashdrive to transfer files to the Dell mini. Drive light powers up and Dell mini recognises it and installs the driver, but I cannot see or access the flash drive via My Computer.

It is listed under disk management tools as Disk1 Removable 7.46gb Online USB2 (D) 7.46gb FAT32 Healthy

I do not think the problem is with the flashdrive as I have tried a.n.other USB Flash drive and it also works on my PC and my laptop but not on the Dell mini.

I have tried uninstall and re-install driver but no joy.

RussJK

I suppose you might try USBDeview: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

See if it lets you right click on the flash drive and open it in explorer with 'Open drive'. If so, you might see if there's a drive letter assigned, if not change the drive letter.

missile

It is listed as drive on the system but I can't see it in my computer.

Another option may be to set up a local network and access files on my PC?

RussJK

I mean that USBDeview has an 'Open Drive' function. It would be interesting to know if it would work in your case. Basically just run USBDeview, look for the entry relating to that flash drive, and while it's inserted just right click on the entry and select 'Open Drive'.

You can also use USBDeview to see if there is a conflict with the drive letter D, i.e. two devices wanting the same drive letter.

File sharing over the network is definitely easier at times

missile

Oh I understand. I am trying a system restore. If that doesn't work I shall give that a try.

missile

System restore did not rectify the issue.

I have downloaded USBDeview, what a cool piece of software. I can see all the USB devices including the flash drive. It is reported as Connected Yes Safe No. I can right click and open the drive and can see and access the files on USB flashdrive

Still not sure why I cannot see drive via My Computer?

Many Thanks, Bob.

RussJK

Sort them by the 'drive letter' column, any other devices taking up the drive letter?

Right click, 'Change Assigned Drive Letter'.

missile

Only the flashdrive is assigned drive

RussJK

Try changing the drive letter anyway There is a method using regedit to force Windows to re-register all USB devices, but I don't like recommending regedit if it can be avoided.