Hardware

Ask something
Question Locked

How can I remove external Hard Drive from registry?

0 helpful
4 replies

by twinhubbarths 2 views

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I had an external hard drive (Z) that crashed and no longer powers up. The pc (XP) recognizes it, but says there is no power. It's plugged in, I've changed usb cords, i've tried inserting it in the bay. I have already decided the data is gone. However, now i'm trying to clean up the PC and I can't delete several installed programs that are looking for the Z drive. I don't know - maybe when I sent things over to the Z drive as a back up the registry routed the programs there?
I get the error code 1327.
I've run a registry cleaner and it didn't notice the problem...
Any help is appreciated!

4 replies

by Former member

So all you have to do is plug in another drive (or change a drive, if you have two) to "Z". And see if that cures the problem.
If you had to install any drivers for the drive in question then delete them in the "add and delete" section. Hope this helps you.
More on the issue here:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/11/08/change-or-delete-system-drive-letter-via-registry-to-remove-conflict-usb-or-firewire-drive-letter/

Please post back if you have anymore problems or questions.

by rob miners

1. Login with Administrative privileges.

2. Disconnect all USB or FireWire storage devices.

3. Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

4. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices there will be registry keys with the name that resembles the format of \DosDevice\X: where X can be any alphabet letter which corresponding to your physical system drive letter.

5. Delete the DosDevice\Z:

Be careful that you dont delete anything else.

This discussion is closed to new replies.