flash/thumb drive seen on 1 pc but not on another

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by lmhjcr, Mar 4, 2013.

  1. lmhjcr

    lmhjcr Sergeant

    Hi There!
    I have a flash drive that I copied information to and about 2 weeks ago I go view those folders without any issues. Today, I plugged it directly into the pc and it did not show up in My Computer and if I got to start>computer and right click on it and select manage and then disk management it shows up in the bottom section as unallocated space but it is showing up in safely remove hardware.

    I tried plugging other flash drives into the pc and they are all being recoginized - it is just this one flash drive that I am having an issue with.

    I went to another much older pc and plugged it into that pc and I can see the files when it is connected to that pc but no longer on my laptop (which is where I had always used it).

    Right now I am transferring all of those files (about 16GB) onto a new flash drive) which is taking forever since it is a very old pc and nothing moves quickly on those things (and it is probably on its last leg as well).

    Anyway, any ideas as to why this has happened and what other steps I could have done to get to view those files on my current pc?

    TIA

    Lisa
     
    lmhjcr, Mar 4, 2013
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Lisa

    What Windows version and Service Pack are you using? (can be helpful to know at times)

    Try the below as in some instances I have seen Windows forget what drives have been pluged into USB and can allocate a driver ID to another drive, which leaves the original one not being recognised.

    Without the any USB drive plugged in open up Device Manager and open the Universal Serial Bus Controller branch and note whats listed, then plug in your USB flash drive (one that's causing issues) and look for a new device, its likely called Mass Storage Device, then right click and choose Uninstall, then remove your USB flash drive.

    Then reboot (not really needed this step but I prefer it) and plug in your USB Flash Drive again and Windows will re-install the driver and hopefully it will be seen in My Computer.
     
    DavidGP, Mar 5, 2013
    #2

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