USB drive issue on Windows XP

Question

Hello,  On my DELL laptop, I am experiencing issues with USB drives (specifically an ACER 128 meg 2.0 flash stick).  Indeed, these devices (as this problem has occurred with drives from different brands) are automatically recognized for a few days and then become unusable on the PC.  They no longer appear in My Computer and are listed as "inactive" in the storage device properties. I have tried to reactivate them, but without success. Additionally, the CD that came with the drive does not offer driver installation, as XP automatically recognizes this device.  I am left with this unusable drive.  Would you know how to fix this malfunction?  Thank you.  Best regards.

7SEVEN · Accepted Answer

Normally when you plug in your USB stick, Windows recognizes it automatically, but it may sometimes be identified as a "unknown device". To get it recognized again, here’s what you need to do.  First, open Windows Explorer and click on the Tools tab => Folder Options... => View, look for "hidden files and folders" in the list and check "show hidden files and folders". Then:  1/ Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop and then click on Properties. Then click on Hardware and then Device Manager.  2/ Right-click on the line marked "unknown device" and click on Update Driver  3/ Then in the Hardware Update wizard, choose "No, not this time"  4/ Click Next.  5/ Then choose Install from a list or specified location (advanced users)  6/ Click Next.  7/ Then click on "Do not search, I will choose the drivers to install"  8/ Choose from the list of hardware USB hub (or USB Controllers)  9/ Click Next.  10/ Click on the supplied disk  A window will open, browse to the folder C:/windows/inf and select the file usbstor.inf and click Open.  Then the path of the selected driver will appear in the previous window. Click OK and... Click on "NEXT". The driver will install, and you will have a line called USB Mass Storage Device.    From here on, in principle, your USB stick should be detected "NORMALLY"   On the other hand, you may now see a question mark. Repeat steps 2 to 7.  and continue with step 8 that follows:   8/ Choose from the list of hardware "Storage Volume"  9/ Click Next.  10/ Click on the supplied disk  A window will open, browse to the folder C:/windows/inf and select the file volsnap.inf and click Open.  Then the path of the selected driver will appear in the previous window. Click OK and... Click on "NEXT". The driver will install and you will have a line called Generic Volume.  And normally, if everything goes well, your USB stick is now properly recognized.   Basoh Marc basohmarc@yahoo.fr

sardine-à l'huile · Answer

Hello Check in the Device Manager, in the properties of the USB ports then in the Power Management tab. Uncheck "Allow Windows to disable this device to save power" as the problem may come from there, but it's just a possibility. Joël -- Ad Augusta Per Angousta

LACAZE · Answer

Re hello,  Thank you for this reply, but it remains unproductive. I unchecked the option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" in the properties of the USB root hubs in the device manager. Moreover, at this level (device manager => USB controller => USB mass storage device), I can see my USB key which is marked as functioning correctly. On the other hand, in my storage media, this removable storage media does appear but as being inactive.  Thank you for your help.  Best regards.

raphael · Answer

I see your problem... I had the same one with a STOREX 128MB USB key. If you're working on XP, definitely don't install the drivers (the CD that came with your key when you bought it!!). You should not put the CD in... Otherwise, if it's already done, I only see one solution... Reinstall WIN XP (sorry if it's a cracked version!!)

LACAZE · Answer

Hello,  Actually, I can't install the drivers provided with the USB key. When I first used the key, it was recognized automatically and worked without the drivers.  Since it no longer works, I tried to install the drivers but without success. They cannot be installed on XP.  So my problem remains the same and is still ongoing....  Thanks anyway....  Best regards.

Anonymous user · Answer

Hi everyone,  I have the same problem with a Toshiba laptop.

LACAZE · Answer

Re hello,  Thank you for this "support" message, but it doesn’t seem like a solution if I’m not mistaken????  No problem adding testimonials, comments, or possible solutions that could work for everyone, but THANK YOU for stating them as COMMENTS and not as answers to the problem.  Best regards.

deneb · Answer

Hi Lacaze,  I have almost the same problem as you with my key, it's all new to me so I wanted to know if you eventually found a solution or not.... Thank you  Deneb

jazzysax · Answer

Hello Lacaze,  Some USB keys cannot be unplugged quickly right after a data transfer. Consequence: they are no longer recognized in Explorer.  To fix this: insert the key into the USB port of another PC and double-click on the icon near the clock in the taskbar related to device removal, and choose to stop the USB device.  Normally, after this operation, your key should be recognized again in the Explorer of your PC.  I hope I have been helpful.

deneb · Answer

Hi Jazzysax,   I'm going to try to follow your advice, but I think in my case it won't be enough because, actually, my key is fully recognized when I plug it in, there's no problem on that front... but when I click on it, I get a "unknown function" message every time..... it won't read it... Thanks  Deneb

Anonymous user · Answer

I tried your trick. But unfortunately for me, nothing works. The key is recognized in the systray. It shows an error in the device manager and there are no drivers for it. I have the same problem with a Sony camera. I don't know what to do except throw my laptop out the window ;-)

LACAZE · Answer

Hello,  Despite this new manipulation, it doesn't work for me either. I properly disconnected my USB drive from another PC (where it is indeed recognized) but it remains invisible in my PC's explorer.  I'm looking forward to any new suggestions you may have.  Thank you.  Best regards.

LACAZE · Answer

Hi,

By consulting the support for my PC (DELL to name just one), they advised me to carry out the following operations which proved to be positive (I did not have to download the Windows update as mentioned):

The problem you describe seems to stem from the USB driver.
- Click on "Start", then "Control Panel"
- Double Click on "System"
- Go to the "Hardware" section and then click on "Device Manager"
- Click on [+] next to "Universal Serial Bus controllers"
- Right-click on each line that appears and select "Uninstall" (be careful, at one point you may disable your mouse but don’t worry, it will be back after reboot....)
- Restart your computer and the problem should be resolved.

If the problem persists, I invite you to visit the Microsoft website at the following address to download a USB update patch:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822603

Note, this patch only works with Windows XP Service Pack 1!

Furthermore, one silly thing, make sure you have an available network connector (a letter G:, H: etc) otherwise, your USB drive will not appear in your explorer......!!!

Feel free to keep me informed if this solution works for all your personal cases?

See you!

ghost · Answer

Your USB is USB2, the drives don't work in USB1 Ghost

deneb · Answer

Good evening everyone,   I tried all the manipulations above... nothing works... my flash drive is still recognized but not read.... Today, I tested it again at university and I made sure to disconnect it properly, but nothing works at home. So, all the data that I ABSOLUTELY need this week, I put (thanks to my flash drive that works at uni) on a friend's laptop and burned it onto a CD... I get home, my computer refuses to read the CD; same issue as with the flash drive... the CD is recognized, I can even open it, but it shows up as empty.... and this happens with almost all my CDs, even the old ones that have always been read..... I don’t know what to do anymore....   If anyone has any more ideas...   Deneb

coco · Answer

Hi,   I have a problem similar to yours!!!   I have a new Acer laptop, and every time I connect a USB flash drive (supposed to be recognized by XP SP2), it recognizes it but fails to install the driver, and even when I download it, it won't run because it only works on Win98, since XP is supposed to recognize it.   This issue has almost happened to me with 4 different USB drives.   So if you have any ideas, please help me!!!!!

LACAZE · Answer

Hello,  Look at my email from 10/02 at 12:21 PM in which I describe the solution to resolve the issue (at least in my case).  Best regards.

the wind · Answer

Hello, I think I have the solution. I have a laptop (let's call it A) and a desktop PC (B), both equipped with Winlsd2, a derivative of Win XP Pro. Anyway, I also have two USB keys, one of 256 MB (1) and another of 1 GB (2). The key (1) works just fine on both PCs, but the key (2) only worked on PC A. So what I did was recover the drivers from this PC (A) to put them back on (B). But be careful (I'm giving you all the steps I had to go through to figure out the problem). Anyway, before replacing the driver, you need to delete the old one first: the driver is located at: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers, and the driver is called: USBSTOR.SYS. You might say that replacing a driver with the same one is pointless, and I know that; I thought the same. All I know is that it works on my PC (B) now! Unfortunately, I can't upload the driver on this site, but you just need to grab it from a PC where your key works. Hoping this can help someone. Hello

ghost · Answer

usb... never very reliable.. Ghost

frederic · Answer

Under Windows XP, it tells me to insert a disk even though it is recognized, but it shows 0 MB; it's a Storex USB key.

LACAZE · Answer

Hello,

I'm "happy" to learn about your issues but I have provided a solution to this key problem.
The solution is mentioned in the various exchanges on the CCM website.

Thank you for reading them before reaching out to others.

Best regards.

joelbecken · Answer

Hello my USB flash drive is 2GB and after a few days of use not only can I not open it but it only recognizes 119MB and I don't know what to do to fix this problem any advice please

sanfoorr23 · Answer

Hello everyone

I have a more serious problem
since I installed Windows XP Pro, none of my USB devices are recognized
when I insert a device like a webcam, nothing appears as if I hadn't inserted anything into the computer
I would appreciate it if someone could give me a solution

goodbye

Dragonslayer · Answer

Hello everyone (since 2005, I imagine some of you have solved the issue. LOL)  I had the same issue under Windows XP Pro with a Lexar jump drive 128MB. The problem came from the names of the network drives I was using: I have a C drive, a D DVD, and an E drive, you need to leave F free for the key to be mounted on the desktop...  It's silly once you know!  Catch you later and good luck

sabrina · Answer

BONJOUR à tous, j'ai un problème avec mon iPod car quand je branche la clé USB, mon ordi ne la détecte pas. Il dit qu'il me manque USBSTOR.SYS. Mais je ne sais pas comment faire. Si vous avez une solution, merci d'avance.

guille · Answer

Hello,  It's normal that it's not working; you absolutely need the USBSTOR.SYS file. Here's the link to the file: http://sanderriere.free.fr/upload/USBSTOR.SYS Copy the link and open it in a web browser.  Save it in C:\windows\system32\drivers  And now, every time you want to plug in a USB stick, it will be automatically recognized.

eljaro · Answer

Hello,

I have the same problem as you; I can't install my USB keys, my external drives, and I've had trouble installing my webcam and sound card due to missing files.
I have done all the updates, Windows and DirectX, I repaired Windows, but every time I want to connect a device, I'm still missing usbstor.sys.
And yet I executed the steps you indicated, I saved it correctly in c:\windows\system32\drivers, but my device manager does not see it, so I cannot complete the installation.
Thank you in advance.

guille · Answer

Look at the post I just put up before!!! It's all there!!!

alp · Answer

Hi, I have a problem. I bought an external hard drive WD 500 GB AND WHEN I TRY TO INSTALL IT, PLUG AND PLAY RECOGNIZES IT, IT SAYS IT'S READY TO USE, THE DRIVERS ARE UP TO DATE, BUT THERE'S AN ERROR MESSAGE 10 THIS DEVICE IS UP TO DATE BUT CANNOT START. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. A+

BEST REGARDS

bobs782001 · Answer

When I plug in a USB device, Windows says it doesn't recognize it. And when I check in the Device Manager, it tells me that the driver is not installed. What should I do since I didn't get a CD with this device?

ALASCO · Answer

Hello
During the installation of Windows XP SP2 on my computer, I forgot to remove my USB key from the CPU; when formatting the partitions, I noticed that there was a USB key connected; I then accidentally removed the key; after the OS installation, my key refuses to open and even to format. Please give me a solution to recover my USB key.

zobie la mouche · Answer

I have a Dell Inspiron 6400 that does not recognize an MP4 player, a USB stick, and a 160 GB disk we could also throw it against the wall but at 1200 euros a piece, it's an expensive breakdown.

ecourt · Answer

I bought a 4GB USB key, but when I click on properties it shows 1GB. I have the same problem with my CDs; they are 800MB but show 702MB. Thank you.

vieu bison boiteu · Answer

you also have this page http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/USB/  see you -- no link on the English web page I already steal enough on my own

crigolo · Answer

Hello everyone,

I read this post with interest... that started 3 years ago! ... because I have exactly the same problem as described by deneb (message 15):
USB key and DVD drive out (they both appear, but empty!). Too bad he didn't provide the solution to his problem back then.

Of course, I have tried all the suggested manipulations for no result. For my part, it started last week with the DVD drive. I have since retrieved a bootable Linux CD that I was able to start; which rules out a failure of the drive.
Yesterday, I tried to read the USB key and got the dreaded message: "The disk in drive F is not formatted. Would you like to format it now?"
So I'm throwing a bottle into the sea because I don’t want to reformat the PC... too much work.

Configuration: Dell Inspiron 6400 (how strange!), Windows XP Pro SP2

P.S.: Just a note: my external hard drive is fully recognized and readable - so apparently no issue with the USB driver...

crigolo · Answer

Manipulations performed ... without result. Still the same message: the disk in drive F is not formatted. etc.

crigolo · Answer

Re  let's say it's starting off badly because I don't have an USB.exe in the command column! How do I add it?  See you!

hellomynameisdora · Answer

Well, I have Vista and it's the same with Free, I have a THOMSON 0470 WLG-1500A ... Please, I need help!! =D

chameau · Answer

Salut à tous, j'ai un problème avec ma webcam. Je n'arrive pas à l'installer sur mon PC. Windows ne peut pas la configurer. Je suis allé dans le panneau de configuration, nouveau matériel, mais ça ne fonctionne toujours pas. Merci de votre réponse.

chameau · Answer

In response to seven7, the situation is the same; I have the installation CD but it doesn't work. It worked before, but my PC bugged, and I had to reset everything to zero, and now Windows cannot access my request. I hope to get a response. Thank you, see you later.

vieu bison boiteu · Answer

hi here are all the topics that can provide a solution usb fixes http://msmvps.com/docxp/archive/2005/05/22/48326.aspx http://perso.wanadoo.fr/doc.jm/b1n/USB_GenericDriverFix.vbs <-jean-marc-> formatting USB devices: memory cards, external drives, USB keys http://translate.google.com/... usb drivers http://www.usb-drivers.com/companies/667.htm http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/USB/ USB for XP http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/search.aspx?q=usb also see http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 1574442 and this site http://www.sheraf.com/blog/ http://www.x-micro.com/drv.htm USB: solved problems and knowledge base http://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/253 usb http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 1718331 http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 1381254 USB Problem under Windows XP SP2 ( -jean-marc- , post <146>) neufBox and LiveBox fix = http://perso.wanadoo.fr/doc.jm/b1n/USB_GenericDriverFix.vbs (download with IE) http://pagesperso-orange.fr/doc.jm/usb_erreur.htm for the file "USB_GenericDriverFix" (download with IE) knowledge base: https://www.commentcamarche.net/contents/773-usb http://forum.telecharger.01net.com/forum/ for MacOS-X = http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 3234815 mp3 problem yp u3#0 USB2.0 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=733dd867-56a0-4956-b7fe-e85b688b7f86&DisplayLang=fr then check if you have the WDM drivers right-click on My Computer/Properties/hardware/Device Manager/Audio, Video and Game Controllers click on the + box you should have a Universal WDM Video Capture or a Generic Video Capture USB registry = Odessine (CCM) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion ; and for the "Name" DevicePath with neufbox = DevicePath | REG_EXPAND_SZ | C:\Program Files\USB Driver-Express\USB\Driver; %SystemRoot%\inf other = DevicePath | REG_EXPAND_SZ | %SystemRoot%\inf USB registry = for reference: Know that you can also remove from the registry the history of devices already connected to the USB port. (Including unknown devices). Launch the registry editor: "Start/Run" menu type "regedit" and Enter Go to the directory: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" "SYSTEM" "CurrentControlSet" "ENUM" right-click on the "ENUM" directory and choose "Permissions..." Select "Everyone" as the user or group name Select "Full Control" and "Allow" in Permissions for everyone Click "OK" Go to the "USB" directory And delete all "Vid_xxxxxxxx_xxxx" directories Close the editor And plug in your devices... the USB modem last if you have one see you -- no link on English web pages I'm already flying solo enough

chameau · Answer

Response to seven7: The brand of my webcam is APM. It used to work, but Windows no longer recognizes it. I looked in the device manager, and when I try to install it, it shows a question mark. I hope to get a response. Thank you.

vieu bison boiteu · Answer

Hi camel  question that hasn't been asked your modem isn't USB-based, at least (like LiveBox or 9Box) in that case, see http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 1381254 Probl%E8me USB sous Windows XP SP2 ( -jean-marc- , post <146>)  see you -- no links on web page in English I'm already flying solo enough

escqieu · Answer

Hello! What solutions do you have for the issue of accessing the file to save my information on my USB? And thank you. (unable to save or create this file. please check that the disk where you want to save the file is not full, write-protected, or damaged)! This is in particular what I receive as a message after each failed attempt. Thank you again.

skipper1x · Answer

Hello,  Telling you that I have exactly the same problem won't give you the solution; my PC running XP tells me that my drive could be faster, I have tried the 5 remaining ports out of 7, and each time it responded the same way, but it recognized it. Once in "My Computer" I can see the drive in question open. When I click on it to check its contents, it responds "Insert a disk." However, I open my other USB drives (2). It seems, from reading our friends who are trying to find a solution, that our cases are not isolated. It is surprising that Storex and other suppliers do not have a solution to provide in light of the uselessness of their hardware.  Looking forward to reading you.  Thanks again to everyone  Jean-Claude

mawine · Answer

Install https://driverwhiz.com/drivers-fr?brand=Dell%20USB&logo=Dell&subid=1001-e1-fr-10000000643&gclid=CJCMvMD0nKYCFUYe4QodQz5gaA

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