Windows Vista USB drives only sometimes working?

I'm having an odd problem. Sometimes when I insert a usb drive it doesn't show up. I've looked in the device manager, and it is not listed. This only happens with hard/flash drives, not other devices (at least as far as I can tell). I'm running Vista Home Premium SP1.

Thanks,

ALogin

 

Well, this last time, I was using the drive, and it just quit. I don't really see a pattern, or don't recognize it.

 

I am not certain if it is one USB drive that is giving you problems or several. I find on some computers if you are changing several external drives, sometimes a drive won't "load ", but I have have not had time to investigate it closely.

You can go to Start -> Computer right-click on the drive, select Properties -> Tools tab and run Error checking on it. Actually, you could do it on all your external drives.

If one drive gives you problems, move the files off it and reformat it.

If it is a well-known brand, check at the manufacturer's website for FAQs. It may have firmware update.

Matt

 

the device appears back if you restart the PC?

also, if a hard drive is external and connected using a USB ... it might have an external power source too ...and this might be the problem ( there are 2 types at least ...1 that come with external power, and 2nd that comes with 2 USB connectors that must be BOTH connected to give enough power to the HDD)