Resolved External USB HDDs not showing

I have a couple of external hard drives that connect via USB. I have a problem in that yesterday they were working fine, today they do not register at all. Checking the device manager it shows Unknown Device.

Any suggestions what has happened and how to fix the problem?

 

Further check into device status shows "windows has stopped this device because it haas reported problems. (Code 43) "

 

I'm wondering if this is related to your modem problems (is that also USB). If so you may need to remove and reinstall your USB controllers.

 

Not related to the modem problem as we are talking about 2 different PCs. This has happened on my old PC tht I am still forced to use because of the modem problem.
The External drves are Western Digital "My Passport" and WD "My Book" drives.

 

There is an excellent guide posted HERE Rewritten only a couple of months ago

It is so thorough that I felt I should quote it
Generally I would only quote exact references from it

 

Once again, thanks Kimsland. Will review it aat earliest opportunity and let you know how it goes.

 

Kimsland,

What an absolutely fantastic guide. The very first utility (Driver Clean Up utility) did the trick. USBs are back and working.

Many thanks.

 

have you tried changing its driver letter?

I have same issue before, only to find out that on my pc the driver letter for my flash drive is used on my pc. I just assigned new letter for it and everything back to normal.

 

Thanks for the update
LookinAround is my friend, I helped him with layout on that guide (a little)
We also had about 20PMs together until he posted it

Far as I'm concerned its complete. There's nothing more to add
Maybe some MS fixit stuff, as MS seems to be going mad with putting out all this Fix stuff. I think it had something to do with those MS (3rd party) support helpers that went on every forum in the world.

Anyway all done