Hardware

Ask something
Question Locked

Flash Drives (Memory Stick)

0 helpful
10 replies

by chilly willy the first

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I have several computers at home and only one of them has this problem. They are all running the same software, XP, but one doesn't show when I insert a flash drive. Where most of them show "New Volume (x): that has choices to play media files, copy pictures, open folder etc., depending on what's on the stick, as soon as it is plugged in, this one computer will not show the drive even in Windows Explorer. The only way to see what's on the "stick" is to right click on My Computer, select Manage, select Disk Management and then right click on the removable device and select open. I guess something isn't set right but for the life of me I don't know what. Anybody have a suggestion? Thanks!

10 replies

by ptaylor129

If you have a network and multiple drive letters are mapped there may not be one available for your memory stick. While you are in Disk management and you right click on the drive. select change drive letter and paths and assign a different letter to your memory stick.

by chilly willy the first

No, these are stand alone computers. I thought Windows should see a drive attached to it, anytime one is plugged in like the others do. I shouldn't have to map a drive, should I? I don't for the others 'nor when I take the drive to the office and plug it into my desktop or laptop.

by ptaylor129

Do you have an adapter that reads multiple memory cards? Like on a flat screen monitor?

by chilly willy the first

I was just talking to a co-worker and he seemed to think that someone had checked the box on the bottom of the "New Volume" window that opens up when you plug the stick in, that say's "not to show this window again.". So, to check this I plugged my stick into my destop and my laptop here at work and there isn't a box there. I then went and took his stick, which is a FAT32 bootable, and the little box is there. My stick is a 1 Gig PNY, and is not bootable. I don't know if this matters but thought I'd throw it in.

by ptaylor129

Well William I am at a loss but I think you are on the right track. I would love to know what you finally find out...

by chilly willy the first

I've been laid up with Bronchitis for the past couple of days and as soon as I feel like screwing with it again I'll be sure to post an answer. Maybe this weekend.
Thanks !

by chilly willy the first

Well, I finally got it to work by working around the problem. I tried mapping the drives differently and that didn't help. So, on the back of my Compaq Presario, there are four (4) USB ports as well as two (2) on the front. By using an extension cord from the back to the front of the unit (since it's under a desk) when I plug the flash in, the window opens up asking me how I want to open the files on the drive. Still, that's really not the answer since my wife's identical computer works when I plug it in on the front. At least I don't have to go thru the "Disk Management" routine in "My Computer" everytime I need to get something off the drive. Now I leave my 250GB backup drive plugged in up front since I don't have to access that one that often. I do appreciate your help in trying to "correctly" solve this problem or should I say Annoyance?

by opie_olson

I had the same problem occur when I installed software that assingned the drive letter that this particular flash drive always used. I was unable to see that flash drive whenever I inserted it into the usb. The flash drive had been assigned a different drive letter that for me happened to be a network path - I believe that it could in general be reassigned a drive letter being used by other devices as well. Basically I had two things assigned the same drive letter even though the network path was still active.

Here's what worked for me:

Control Panel

Administrative Tools

Double Click Computer Management

Computer Management window will open. This is where you should be able to to see which letter your flash drive is assigned.

Click storage (at left of screen)

Double Click Disk Management

Right click the drive you want to change

Select Change Drive Letter and Paths

Click the Change button

Choose a drive letter

You will get a warning that changing the drive letter can cause programs to not run. I selected "Yes"; I accepted the change.

Close disk management

This discussion is closed to new replies.