usb recognizing external drives, not showing up in "my computer"

When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.

Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there is
a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
manually.

Thanks,
Heather

Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure that
your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive letter
to it.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>
> Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> is
> a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> manually.
>
> Thanks,
> Heather

On Sep 5, 10:25 am, "Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" <dkno...@Spammvps.org>
wrote:
> Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure that
> your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
> drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive letter
> to it.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
> Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixeshttp://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Prohttp://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "Heather" <Heat...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>
> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
>
>
>
> > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>
> > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> > is
> > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> > manually.
>
> > Thanks,
> > Heather- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The exact same thing just happened to my Maxtor OneTouch II, none of
the computers in my house recognize it now. Please let me know if you
resolved your issue. I tried looking for drivers, but basically there
native to XT, nothing to download.

On Sep 5, 10:56 am, Paul <pauldelan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sep 5, 10:25 am, "Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" <dkno...@Spammvps.org>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure that
> > your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
> > drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive letter
> > to it.
>
> > --
> > Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
> > Display\Security
> > Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixeshttp://www.dougknox.com
> > --------------------------------
> > Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Prohttp://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> > --------------------------------
> > Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> > Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> > "Heather" <Heat...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>
> >news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
>
> > > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> > > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> > > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> > > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>
> > > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> > > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> > > is
> > > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> > > manually.
>
> > > Thanks,
> > > Heather- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> The exact same thing just happened to my Maxtor OneTouch II, none of
> the computers in my house recognize it now. Please let me know if you
> resolved your issue. I tried looking for drivers, but basically there
> native to XT, nothing to download.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

One other thing, it doens't appear in Disk Mangement

"Paul" <pauldelange7@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189004452.546955.92060@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 5, 10:56 am, Paul <pauldelan...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sep 5, 10:25 am, "Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" <dkno...@Spammvps.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure
>> > that
>> > your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
>> > drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive
>> > letter
>> > to it.
>>
>> > --
>> > Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
>> > Display\Security
>> > Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixeshttp://www.dougknox.com
>> > --------------------------------
>> > Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP
>> > Prohttp://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
>> > --------------------------------
>> > Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> > Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>>
>> > "Heather" <Heat...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>
>> >news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
>>
>> > > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
>> > > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
>> > > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One
>> > > Touch
>> > > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>>
>> > > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but
>> > > am
>> > > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera
>> > > there
>> > > is
>> > > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
>> > > manually.
>>
>> > > Thanks,
>> > > Heather- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> > - Show quoted text -
>>
>> The exact same thing just happened to my Maxtor OneTouch II, none of
>> the computers in my house recognize it now. Please let me know if you
>> resolved your issue. I tried looking for drivers, but basically there
>> native to XT, nothing to download.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> One other thing, it doens't appear in Disk Mangement
>

Not even when connected?

External Drives never show, unless they are connected.
You can assign a drive letter in Computer Management. Storage > Disk
Management.

If an external drive does not show in Computer Management, it is a good bet
the drive or case electronics has died.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

We had some HP's at work that built-in media card readers that showed up as
drive letters H, I, J, etc. and when a USB thumb drive was inserted, it
didn't seem want to assign a drive letter past those. Once I reassigned the
built-in H: to M:, the USB drive showed up as H:.

I thought at one time there was a KB patch for this problem with USB drives
on some systems once they were upgraded to SP2
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida


"Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" <dknoxNO@Spammvps.org> wrote in message
news:2D08F3AA-30AE-41D2-BA9C-D646D1BC7840@microsoft.com...
> Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure that
> your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
> drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive letter
> to it.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
> Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
>> When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
>> recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
>> Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One
>> Touch
>> II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>>
>> Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
>> unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
>> is
>> a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
>> manually.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Heather
>

"Jaime" <jaimelobo@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23gbGVZ97HHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> We had some HP's at work that built-in media card readers that showed up
> as drive letters H, I, J, etc. and when a USB thumb drive was inserted, it
> didn't seem want to assign a drive letter past those. Once I reassigned
> the built-in H: to M:, the USB drive showed up as H:.
>
> I thought at one time there was a KB patch for this problem with USB
> drives on some systems once they were upgraded to SP2
> --
> James
> Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida
>
>

Same here. I reassigned my card readers to w,x,y,z ...problem solved

If the front LEDs on the One Touch II are flashing rapidly, the external
enclosure's electronics are probably damaged. Same thing happened to mine
and many others. The harddrive enclosed with the One Touch II case might
still be intact and usable though. The drive can be remounted in a new
external case or installed as a secondary drive within your PC.


"Paul" <pauldelange7@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189004452.546955.92060@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 5, 10:56 am, Paul <pauldelan...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sep 5, 10:25 am, "Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" <dkno...@Spammvps.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure
>> > that
>> > your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
>> > drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive
>> > letter
>> > to it.
>>
>> > --
>> > Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
>> > Display\Security
>> > Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixeshttp://www.dougknox.com
>> > --------------------------------
>> > Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP
>> > Prohttp://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
>> > --------------------------------
>> > Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> > Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>>
>> > "Heather" <Heat...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>
>> >news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
>>
>> > > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
>> > > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
>> > > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One
>> > > Touch
>> > > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>>
>> > > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but
>> > > am
>> > > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera
>> > > there
>> > > is
>> > > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
>> > > manually.
>>
>> > > Thanks,
>> > > Heather- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> > - Show quoted text -
>>
>> The exact same thing just happened to my Maxtor OneTouch II, none of
>> the computers in my house recognize it now. Please let me know if you
>> resolved your issue. I tried looking for drivers, but basically there
>> native to XT, nothing to download.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> One other thing, it doens't appear in Disk Mangement
>

I run into this regularly with my USB external harddrive. Running MS
UVCview utility shows that when it happens the port that the external drive
is connected to has failed to enumerate properly and is in an error
condition. Windows then installs it as an "Unknown Device" and the drive
will not function. Turn off the external drive, open Device Manager and
Uninstall the unknown device from the list of USB devices. Turn on (or plug
in) the external drive again and hopefully it should be recognized normally.

The only sure way I've found to have the external harddrive recognised every
time is to only turn it on after the computer has fully booted. Otherwise it
seems to be hit and miss whether Windows will enumerate the port that the
drive is connected to properly during boot-up (cold or reboot).



"Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>
> Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> is
> a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> manually.
>
> Thanks,
> Heather

Doug,

Great tip. I can't tell you how long I've had this problem. Thank you for
taking the time to respond to the Forum.

"Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" wrote:

> Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure that
> your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
> drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive letter
> to it.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
> Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
> >
> > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> > is
> > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> > manually.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Heather
>

hey guys,

I have that problem with my iPod/Flash Drive. When I plug in my Cruzer
Micro, windows AND device manager reconize it, but it is not in Disk
Management or My Computer. Both the iPod and Flash Drive work on WXP

"RalfG" wrote:

> I run into this regularly with my USB external harddrive. Running MS
> UVCview utility shows that when it happens the port that the external drive
> is connected to has failed to enumerate properly and is in an error
> condition. Windows then installs it as an "Unknown Device" and the drive
> will not function. Turn off the external drive, open Device Manager and
> Uninstall the unknown device from the list of USB devices. Turn on (or plug
> in) the external drive again and hopefully it should be recognized normally.
>
> The only sure way I've found to have the external harddrive recognised every
> time is to only turn it on after the computer has fully booted. Otherwise it
> seems to be hit and miss whether Windows will enumerate the port that the
> drive is connected to properly during boot-up (cold or reboot).
>
>
>
> "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
> >
> > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> > is
> > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> > manually.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Heather
>
>
>

What are corporate user that don't have permission to "Disk Managment"
supposted to do? Is Microsoft ever going to fix this problem?

"Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" wrote:

> Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure that
> your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
> drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive letter
> to it.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
> Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
> >
> > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> > is
> > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> > manually.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Heather
>

It isn't a "problem" for MS to fix.

If your system has numerous network drives that are mapped, using all the
letters that your USB normally would use, and your IT department does not
give you admin permission; you need to request that your sysadmin log in on
your system and fix the problem.

There are lots of things you may not be able to do in a corporate
environment because of your domain profile (like add a printer or install
software). Those are not problems to be "fixed", they are just the way your
company has chosen to set up their network security.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey"), Florida

"matchbx" <matchbx@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:088CE57F-DDF7-4498-8C77-168B7143CAF6@microsoft.com...
> What are corporate user that don't have permission to "Disk Managment"
> supposted to do? Is Microsoft ever going to fix this problem?
>
> "Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure
>> that
>> your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
>> drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive
>> letter
>> to it.
>>
>> --
>> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
>> Display\Security
>> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> http://www.dougknox.com
>> --------------------------------
>> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
>> --------------------------------
>> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>>
>> "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
>> > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
>> > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
>> > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One
>> > Touch
>> > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
>> >
>> > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
>> > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera
>> > there
>> > is
>> > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
>> > manually.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > Heather
>>

Hi, Jaime, thanks for your response.

First, I'm a little confused by what you mean by "using all the letters that
your USB normally would use". From my understanding when you plug in a USB
Drive it looks at all local drive letters in use and grabs the next available
drive letter.

if you have local devices using A, C, D, E, & F with a single network drive
mapped to G. When you plug in a USB Device it will be assinged G, even
though H - Z is wide open.

I don't beleive any user should have to open up disk managment to change the
drive letter of a USB device just because the OS is incapable of checking to
see if a drive letter is in use.

I guess my point is that it should not matter weather or not the drive
letter is being used by a local device or mapped drive. "In use" should mean
"In use".

Thanks,
matchbx

"Jaime" wrote:

> It isn't a "problem" for MS to fix.
>
> If your system has numerous network drives that are mapped, using all the
> letters that your USB normally would use, and your IT department does not
> give you admin permission; you need to request that your sysadmin log in on
> your system and fix the problem.
>
> There are lots of things you may not be able to do in a corporate
> environment because of your domain profile (like add a printer or install
> software). Those are not problems to be "fixed", they are just the way your
> company has chosen to set up their network security.
> --
> James
> Orlando (Goofy says "Hey"), Florida
>
> "matchbx" <matchbx@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:088CE57F-DDF7-4498-8C77-168B7143CAF6@microsoft.com...
> > What are corporate user that don't have permission to "Disk Managment"
> > supposted to do? Is Microsoft ever going to fix this problem?
> >
> > "Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> Right click My Computer and select Manage, Disk Management and ensure
> >> that
> >> your drive is getting a drive letter assigned. If not, right click the
> >> drive in question and choose Change drive letter and assign a drive
> >> letter
> >> to it.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
> >> Display\Security
> >> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> http://www.dougknox.com
> >> --------------------------------
> >> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> >> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> >> --------------------------------
> >> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >>
> >> "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> >> > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> >> > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> >> > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One
> >> > Touch
> >> > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
> >> >
> >> > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> >> > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera
> >> > there
> >> > is
> >> > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> >> > manually.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks,
> >> > Heather
> >>
>
>
>

I have the exact same problem. I plug in my cruzer micro 2gb and windows
wants to install drivers for it and ultimately can't find any so it just
leaves it as an unrecognised device in the device manager. I have XP SP2.
Please help!!

"mattperry" wrote:

> hey guys,
>
> I have that problem with my iPod/Flash Drive. When I plug in my Cruzer
> Micro, windows AND device manager reconize it, but it is not in Disk
> Management or My Computer. Both the iPod and Flash Drive work on WXP
>
> "RalfG" wrote:
>
> > I run into this regularly with my USB external harddrive. Running MS
> > UVCview utility shows that when it happens the port that the external drive
> > is connected to has failed to enumerate properly and is in an error
> > condition. Windows then installs it as an "Unknown Device" and the drive
> > will not function. Turn off the external drive, open Device Manager and
> > Uninstall the unknown device from the list of USB devices. Turn on (or plug
> > in) the external drive again and hopefully it should be recognized normally.
> >
> > The only sure way I've found to have the external harddrive recognised every
> > time is to only turn it on after the computer has fully booted. Otherwise it
> > seems to be hit and miss whether Windows will enumerate the port that the
> > drive is connected to properly during boot-up (cold or reboot).
> >
> >
> >
> > "Heather" <Heather@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:9FADDFE5-D999-4B3A-AACE-D40006DC0B96@microsoft.com...
> > > When I plug external storage devices into my computer, the computer
> > > recognizes them (ie hardware connected) but they don't show up in "My
> > > Computer". This has happened with my external hard drive (Maxtor One Touch
> > > II), my camera (Sony DSC-W7) and other flash drives.
> > >
> > > Please advise. I have downloaded all the drivers and reinstalled but am
> > > unsure of what to do. Its still not working. Luckily with my camera there
> > > is
> > > a program that downloads them automatically, but I would rather do it
> > > manually.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Heather
> >
> >
> >