USB external hard disk problem

June 22, 2008

Had several 2.5 and 3.5 external hard disks plus a memory stick that plugged

into the USB ports on my laptop. They have all now come up as unknown

devices. I think XP does not need drivers for these but I cant get it to

recognise them. Fairly sure it is not a hardware problem (happens on all

ports). Re-installed Service Pack 2 - no change. Went to re-install

manufactureres recovery disk for XP Home which said that my existing version

is newer than that on the recovery disk - I assume because of subsequent

iinstallation of SP 2. Do I have to re-install XP Home regardless ? Does

anyone know how I can get XP to recognise these drives please, as I am slowly

going mad with frustration ? Thanks

June 22, 2008

Re: USB external hard disk problem

Rick wrote:

> Had several 2.5 and 3.5 external hard disks plus a memory stick that plugged

> into the USB ports on my laptop. They have all now come up as unknown

> devices. I think XP does not need drivers for these but I cant get it to

> recognise them. Fairly sure it is not a hardware problem (happens on all

> ports). Re-installed Service Pack 2 - no change. Went to re-install

> manufactureres recovery disk for XP Home which said that my existing version

> is newer than that on the recovery disk - I assume because of subsequent

> iinstallation of SP 2. Do I have to re-install XP Home regardless ? Does

> anyone know how I can get XP to recognise these drives please, as I am slowly

> going mad with frustration ? Thanks

>

Do you have any USB devices that work since you have started having this

problem? If not, your USB may have died or the USB driver could be

corrupted. If nothing works on USB, I would go into device manager and

delete the usb entry. Then reboot and XP should reinstall the drivers.

It may ask for your disk during the process.

June 23, 2008