Why won't my system recognize my USB device?

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When a usb device is plugged in, and doesn't come up with a drive letter, you have to go to ctrl panel, system,hardware, device manageruniversal serial bus controllers, and uninstall usb mass storage devices (start at the bottom). The pocket fob will then be recognized again, and come up with a drive letter. If it doesn't, uninstall the next one.

Part of my USB port has snapped off what should i do. The USB (or memory sticks.) won't go in.
What should I do.
Is there anyway of getting a new USB port
Do I Have yo buy a new computer now

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That depends entirely on exactly what computer you have and how things are set
up. I would take it to a repair shop contact the manufacturer to determine your
options.

Leo

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I have read the article on the top of the page.

Our computer has never given us any problems with our USB Hub but one day it did. It couldn't recognise any Flashdrives and indentified them as Unknown. I thought it was a virus but I have done a vrus scan throughout the whole computer with Trend Micro. The message from the computer says there has been a Malfunction with the USB. I can't remember the full message. it was in a yellow balloon. I run Windows XP Home. I used Norton Ghost to upload a previous ghost image and yet the problem is still there. This prooves it isn't a virus. The computer is about 2 years old and the USB Hubs shouldn't malfunction or shouldn't stop working.

The rest of the information was copied because I was typing this on another site but I had to register to post this.

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"This prooves it isn't a virus." - no it does not. You can't
prove a negative. There is no way to PROVE that you have no
virus.

That being said, it sure sounds like the hub has failed.
Have you tried plugging devices directly into the computer
instead? Replacing the hub?

Leo

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I came to this post trying to fix a problem with USB devices not loading. After loading Windows XP on another hard drive and having the same problem, I tried the BIOS update. Toshiba Laptop! the BIOS update corrected the problem

From another Brian - THIS is the best thing I could've been taught. Thank you "Brian with an I" (From "Bryan with a Y", A.K.A. - Lone Wolf). . .

To all: One thing that I've learned with Windows is that assigning a drive letter is critical and Windows does this automatically. I'm on a server and geeze I have a lot of drives. Some of you might be experiencing this... When you plug in a USB or any external device, Windows assigns it a drive letter. BUT, Windows will only go so far. So the typical set up you'll normally see would be A (Floppy), C (Hard Drive) D (CD/DVD) E (CD/DVD). Those are the standard. Now, take into consideration of partions or being on a server where you have access to drives on the server. Now you're looking at more letters. If you plug something in to your machine now, Windows will get confused because it wants to give that new drive a letter but it's already being used. So needless to say, all the info it there but you just can't access it. Here is my cure. Right click on "My Computer"... in the pull down go to "Manage". On the left hand side you'll see a list of stuff. Go down to "Disk Management". Now, if your system is working properly, you WILL see a list of ALL active and working device drives. iPod, jump drive, external HD, C drive, partions, etc... You will see whatever it is you've got plugged into the USB as long as it's storage. Right click on that drive and click on "Change Drive Letter". Now you'll see a window in which you can pick the drive letter you want Windows to use when plugging your device in next time. Just click on "Change" then you get a scroll down of choices of every letter that hasn't been used yet. I would say start close to the end like at Z. Let me know if this helps anybody.

Posted by: Brian at March 27, 2006 11:07 AM

THIS WORKS BEAUTIFULLY with Vista - 64!

My USB port on my laptop suddenly refuse to recognize any device that I plugged into it. I made of number of calls to tech support people who said, after unistalling the USB Root Hub and several other efforts, that it was a mechanical problem. They sent me a box to place my laptop into, which they would return to me in 10>12 days.
Before I placed my laptop into the box, I read the comment by "Lowry" who said that he fixed the same problem by turning off his computer, unplugging the power cord, praying then plugging the power cord back in. It worked for him and I am soooo happy. It worked for me!!!! This website saved me so much time, anguish and money.
Thanks again!!

Hi All,

I experienced the same problem with my computer not recognising my camera, iPod etc.
What I found is to make sure that the device ie. Digital Camera is charged at least over 50%, therefore it should help you with your PC recognising it.

I hope this helps with your problems!

Thanks
Olivia

my usb devise was functioning at first but later after i restarted the computer the device is recognised but a message appears to format the device, i tried formatting it but a message then appears and says ‘WRITE PROTECTED CAN NOT BE FORMATTED’ what should i do i donot want to format the device as it contains some important data which can not be achieved another time….. please help me..

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