Unable to recognize USB flash drives (All)

BoostAddicted · Dec 29, 2011

Unable to recognize one specific USB flash drive

There are a billion threads about this on 7F and I still can't seem to resolve my problem.

The OS was recently installed about 7 days ago or so. I have a Logitech USB unifying receiver installed in the rear of the tower which works just fine for my wireless keyboard and mouse.

However, I am unable to read/write to any USB flash drive. I have downloaded and installed the USB registry editor to ensure my default setting had not changed somehow. This did not allow me to read any USB drive.

I have attached two screenshots. One shows "My Computer" and how the USB device is not listed on the left. On the right, it shows the USB device listed under "Devices and Printers" but does not allow me to do anything other than view its properties. On the bottom right of this screenshot you will see the USB logo where it would typically allow me to eject the drive, but that option is not listed.

The second screenshot is Device Manager and my USB driver list. No problems listed.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you.

EDIT: Third screenshot is attached where the USB device shows up in Disk Management as well.

JimLewandowski · Dec 29, 2011

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...everytime-connect-new-device.html#post1720164

Frankly, this USB not recognized when inserted problem seems the inverse of not being able to eject a flash drive (just had this a few weeks back and I rarely use USB drives).

Other options: shut down PC and unplug from wall for 2 minutes.

Uninstall each USB device via Device Manager as the USB port is in some unknown/unknowable/inconsistent state.

BoostAddicted · Dec 29, 2011

I have completed your suggestion with the elevated command prompt. However, when I go to check the registry key, I do not have an entry for "NoAutoMount", so therefore it does not have a value. Screenshot attached.

I will power off my PC for about 5 minutes or so (also having it unplugged) and see if that fixes it.

JimLewandowski · Dec 29, 2011

You also have the option to uninstall each USB device via Device Manager (last resort?).

Hipster Doofus · Dec 29, 2011

Sure it is not a power problem to the usb ports? If you have a spare mouse or keyboard around unplug the wireless usb, boot up & plug a device into that slot. See what happens.

BoostAddicted · Dec 29, 2011

Well crap. I can get my 16GB flash to recognize, but I can't get my 32 GB to recognize (on my PC).

What's odd is my audio/video receiver recognizes the 32 GB flash drive and will play the music which is stored on it.

scrooge · Dec 29, 2011

not real sure but maybe you just need to update your bios. have you checked to see if there are any updates for your board?

scrooge

jumanji · Dec 30, 2011

BoostAddicted said:
I have completed your suggestion with the elevated command prompt. However, when I go to check the registry key, I do not have an entry for "NoAutoMount", so therefore it does not have a value. Screenshot attached. ....

Create a new DWORD. Right click on mountmgr> New > DWORD(32bit)Value. Type NoAutoMount and give it the value 0. Exit Regedit, reboot and then check whether your USB devices are getting recognised.

Here is the screenshot from my 32bit Windows 7 Ultimate.

BoostAddicted · Jan 10, 2012

Okay, I added the DWORD "NoAutoMount" and gave it a value of 0. This did not solve my problem. I put the flash drive into an iMac and the iMac recognized the device and I was able to view the files on the flash drive. As I said before, my home audio/video receiver recognizes the music on it and will play the music through my speakers.

Here's a screenshot of something odd that I noticed. The SS shows the "USB 2.0 Flash Drive" as a disk drive. To uninstall the USB drive, I had to right click "USB 2.0 Flash Drive" and select "uninstall". Then, when I plugged the USB drive back in the computer, the computer said it installed the driver's successfully.

It still will not recognize on my PC. Other flash drives work in the same port(s)...so I'm stumped. I really need this to work and it is really pissing me off...

jumanji · Jan 10, 2012

The pen drives will appear under Disk drives in the Device Manager. The only thing odd there is no brand name appears. Compare it with the screenshot below.(hp v250w, SanDisk Cruzer Micro.) I am just wondering whether you have got some cheap, spurious pendrive.

Now taking a relook at the screenshot in your first post, Windows does not seem to recognise any File System on the pendrive and that may be the problem. Compare it with the screenshot below.

Most probably, you may have to format the drive and then check whether it shows up.

Since you said that you can see the files on a Mac, you may perhaps copy all the files to it and then try to format it in Windows Disk Management.

You may also try to copy the files to your PC, using Recuva Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download before formatting it.

Let us know how it goes.

BoostAddicted · Jan 10, 2012

Thank you for the reply.

I can copy all of the files to the iMac and then format the drive and report back.

BoostAddicted · Jan 10, 2012

Okay, I tried formatting it and I received an error. Should I just try and format it on the iMAC? I'm really not sure what to do now.

The flash drive is a 32 GB drive from MicroCenter.

JimLewandowski · Jan 10, 2012

Did this error popup immediately upon attempting to format?

The SYSTEM part of the event viewer log might shed more light as that error message says.

Are you trying to format it as NTFS with "automatic" for cluster-size choice?

BoostAddicted · Jan 10, 2012

I right-clicked the drive and selected format. That's the error message that pops up after the warning that all data on the drive will be erased. I didn't select any options to select cluster size or anything else for that matter. So to answer your question, after I selected to confirm that all data would be lost, yes the error popped up immediately.

EDIT: I'm looking into the SYSTEM portion of the log to see what I can find and I will post it here.

EDIT #2: Another screenshot of the system log. Which one should I be looking at? I can only find one for the virtual drive service. All it says is it stopped.

jumanji · Jan 10, 2012

I would try formatting it with HP USB Drive Storage Format utility. Download from Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 Free - Windows-based Format Utility for HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB Device - Softpedia and run it as Administrator. Make sure you plug out all other USB devices so that you make no mistake and format a wrong drive.

EDIT: Micro Center is a web store. They probably source it from a Chinese manufacturer with Micro Center name on it. Check to see whether you can return it to the vendor and get a branded pen drive. Never ever go after cheapies. My honest advice.

BoostAddicted · Jan 10, 2012

There are many physical MicroCenter stores. One happens to be in my area. They sell everything a normal store would sell...RAM of all brands, hard drives, processors, printers, TVs, ready computers, and hell...you can even build your own PC from scratch and buy your own power supply, case, etc. It's a very well known store in several areas. I'm not sure where the flash drive is made per se, but it is MicroCenter branded.

The flash drives carry a lifetime warranty and the orignal receipt is not required. If the drive doesn't work, bring it in, and they replace it. Not too many "shady" companies will do that. I think the drive, at the time I bought it, cost me $59.99. They sell USB 3.0 Drives for $20 less now. ARG...

I'll try your suggestion and see what happens.

EDIT: Tried your suggestion and the flash drive does not appear in the utility. It appears in the screen to the right, but nothing in the tool. Basically...I'm having the same issue.

jumanji · Jan 11, 2012

OK. Did you try the pendrive on another PC and check whether it gets recognised with a drive letter assigned?

The device does appear under Disk drives in Device Manager. Right click and click on Properties. It will either show that the device is working properly or an error code.If there is an error code what is it?

You queried whether you can format it on the Mac. I do not have a Mac. So I do not know.

BoostAddicted · Jan 11, 2012

I don't have another PC in the house to test it with. My roommate has her iMac, and that's the only other computer available. When I insert the flash drive into the iMac, it gets a name of "NoName." I'm able to copy and read all of the files on the flash drive. I copied all of the files off of the flash drive onto the iMac. I ejected the flash drive, and then made sure I was able to read the files I copied from the flash drive. Everything went okay up to that point.

I have a couple friends with Windows-based laptops I could try and use. At this point, I'm wondering if I had the USB flash drive installed in my computer during the format and re-installation of Win7. Would this cause a problem?

BoostAddicted · Jan 11, 2012

Okay...I've formatted the flash drive on the iMac. I formatted it with FAT32. I am still unable to read the drive on my PC. The iMac, however, recognizes the drive before and after formatting.

Time for a new drive?

EDIT: It's funny, when I click populate to list the drive space (etc.) it closes the window and doesn't display anything. What in the world is going on?

jumanji · Jan 11, 2012

"NoName" is acceptable since it is really a no name pendrive manufactured by a no name manufacturer.

You still haven't answered my query as to what you see in Device Manager> Disk drives > your no name pendrive > Properties > General. I am just curious to know what it says and whether any error code is given.

Since you said you do have a Micro Center brick and mortar shop in your locality, would it be difficult for you to get it tested there and get a replacement if they are willing to given the lifetime warranty?

We will only be going in circles without knowing exactly what is happening or happened.

Unable to recognize USB flash drives (All)

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