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heiowge · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject: USB help

This is part help, part other OS.

I'm at my mother's house and she can't use her new USB flash drive. It used to be mine, and it normally works just fine.

The problem is that XP (haven't converted her to desktop linux just yet) recognises it, but won't install it.

It gets part way through the plug n play setup then goes to the "found new hardware" wizard. This then fails to install, it says "the data is invalid".

I'm at the end of my tether trying to get it working.

Ideas please?

MartyBartfast · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject:

I expect you've tried this but if it appears in Explorer then reformat it, not much good if there's something on it you want though Sad

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Bazza · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject:

Try a complete power down for a few minutes and power up
again.

If it is a laptop etc, remove the battery for a few minutes
after powering down.

Sometimes all OSes get their knickers in a twist somewhere
along the line... :/
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heiowge · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:21 pm Post subject:

Both no use I'm afraid (back home now on a sensible OS).

The problem has been ongoing for about 3 months, I've only just got to have a look at it. I think the driver is either missing or corrupted. I couldn't find a driver in microsoft.com for it, and online searches were fruitless.

I did find several programs that would scan for and replace missing / obsolete / damaged drivers (I'm not fussed if they install rubbish along the way since I'll probably have to reinstall the OS soon anyway - I just want to know if it's a hardware or software issue.) These programs turned out to be free to scan, but then demand money with menaces! You know the type - look at what's broken, now pay up or we won't fix them!

Attempts to get this software to function **ahem** totally legitimately without paying **ahem ahem** didn't pan out. Wink

I don't want a patch. Just a USB 2.0 driver for XP.

Anyone have one?

Bazza · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:58 pm Post subject:

Don`t quote me on this but I`m pretty sure a fully functioning
generic USB 2.0 driver was part of SP2.

I assume at least SP2 is installed?
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heiowge · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:59 pm Post subject:

Yeah, and SP3. It's just broken. She used to have full USB 2.0, and her old flash drives work, but her new one and her new camcorder aren't recognised.

ollie · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:18 am Post subject:

Try re-installing the motherboard drivers, it will probably be seen as a "downgrade" but don't let Windows "upgrade" to the Microsoft supplied hardware drivers.

HTH

heiowge · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:28 pm Post subject:

How do I do that? It's not something I've tried before.

Ram · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject:

Put the motherboard cd driver disk in the machine.

It should auto load ( if not browse to it)

Install the usb/chipset drivers.
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heiowge · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:49 pm Post subject:

... if she's still got it! Laughing

paulm · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:26 am Post subject:

Umm... If the intent is to determine whether there is a hardware problem or whether it is just Windows being Windows, would not the simplest approach be to boot from a Linux live CD and try the USB stick from it?

Paul.

heiowge · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:50 am Post subject:

...now why didn't I think of that! lol.

LeeNukes · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:19 pm Post subject:

My three pence worth:

1) Try it in a different USB port (you've tried this right?)
2) Completely remove the USB devices from Device Manager in Windows, it should detect them and reinstall them from the driver cache on reboot. But make sure you have a Windows XP CD just incase it doesn't.
3) You could try a sfc /scannow from the run prompt. This will check the state of the Windows files and replace them if required. This normally needs the XP CD if there is an issues, also if there isn't most of the time.
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heiowge · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject:

1) Tried. No joy.
2) She's actually lost the discs! Rolling Eyes

3) See point 2.

She's got a 64 bit machine and I've got a XP install disk for a 32 bit one. Can I pull it off that?

Maybe this is an opportunity to finally get linux on her desktop. It was a big step for the netbook, but maybe... just maybe...

LeeNukes · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject:

64bit XP, that's probably the route cause in all honesty. I've had no end of issues in the past on 64bit XP machines, so much so we replaced it with a 32bit install at a customers in my previous job. They had a site license though, so it was "free".

I wouldn't bother with the 32bit CD if I were you, hurt and pain lies in that direction. At best it will just fail, at worst it will replace something critical by accident and you'll get blue screen after blue screen.

USB Guide:
http://www.usbman.com/WinME%20USB%20Guide.htm

This includes a link to the Microsoft USB Stick manager tool. You tried that?

More USB Windows XP SP3 help:

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/usb-device-not-recognized/
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