Flash Drive

Hi, I have a Sony Vaio Desktop with windows xp home, 512mb ram, 1.5ghz. and I'm having an issue using a flash drive. I hope I can get some help here. Let me try to explain.
I have a TV that needed a software upgrade. Your'e supposed to download the upgrade to your computer, send it to a flash drive, then plug the fash drive in the TV. My problem is my computer doesn't recognize the flash drive. I've never used one before. I plug the flash drive in the USB ( makes no sound) and there is nothing different in the My Computer window. When I go to Start,My Computer...I have a removable disk ( G ) drive thats alway's there but when I click on it ( with the flash plugged in ) it say's: please insert a disk!!! Is that where it's supposed to be recognized? Any Ideas on how to make it recognize the Flash ?
My computer is 5 year's old and I suspect that may be why. If I can't get it to recognize the flash drive is there possibly a patch I can download that might help? Thanks for your time with this, Herb

 

I'll assume you have SP2.

Have you used the USB Ports for anything else?
Have you tried all the USB ports?
What type flash drive do you have?

When you put the flash drive in the port, does a little light flicker on the drive?

Click Start, Run, in the dialog box typd "devmgmt.msc" (no quotes).

When device manger comes up, do you see any exclamation marks next to the USB controller?

If you do

click on the +

right click on the one with the exclamation mark

Unintall

ok

exit you way out

restart your computer, it should reinstall the USB

Good luck

Mitch

 

I have SP3, I tried two port's that I use a lot and nothing in device manager.

 

Shutdonwn the computer.

While it is off remove the Flash drive.

Boot up no flash drive.

Open the My Computer ICON.

Now report back "ALL" drive letters you see. Tell me the drive letter of your CD and or DVD etc.

Mike

 

A (floppy) , C - local disk, D - local disk, E - DVD Drive, F - CD-RW Drive, G - Removable Disk

 

Ok

Start
run
type
diskmgmt.msc
Locate the Removable G:
rt click it
click on Change drive letter and path
make it drive I:

close window

Shut down
while off insert flash drive
boot up

My Computer look fro flash drive as G:

let me know.

mike

 

How bout a status here!

Mike

 

Mike, Sorry about the delay! Anyway, I was trying it on two different ports on the front and I tried it on the back of the computer and it worked. I think what you suggested might have worked though because after it was finaly recognized in the back there was a - removable disk I - icon in the my computer window. Thanks for your time on this....much appreciated, Herb