USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore

REHVC · 10-26-2009, 03:47 PM

Hi everyone!

I have a system running XP and a 250GB Memorex Traveldrive which used to work nicely together.
Now, all of a sudden, the USB HD isn't recognized anymore, my pc doesn't even make the hey-there's-some-usb-device-connected-sound.

Other USB devices (mouse, keyboard, PDA and even an USB memory stick) are still detected.

I've tried:
- rebooting
- leaving the pc turned off for some time
- checking the diskmanagement (the drive doesn't even show up)
- having the pc check for new hardware (nothing found)
- using another USB cable
- trying other UBS ports
- connecting the USB HD to another pc (it shows up like it should)
- possibly some other things that I might have forgotten to mention

I also had this problem a while back with my integrated card reader. All of a sudden it wouldn't recognize SD cards. Somehow I got it back to work again (I even opened up the PC and pushed all the wiring and plugs), but I'm not sure what made it work again.
I don't even know if this is even related to the USB HD problem, but I thought I should mention it.

I hope somehow can help me out here!
Thanks in advance!

REHVC · 10-27-2009, 02:23 AM

Some additional information:
When I click on Remove hardware safely (the icon in the taskbar with the little green arrow on it) I get a list with:
- USB for mass storage (which consists of my card reader slots (4x))
- My WLAN card
So apparently they're connected to USB on the main-board as well.

I'm not sure if that matters, but I thought I'd mention it...

Dogg · 10-29-2009, 01:58 PM

First, test the HDD on another computer. If it's not recognized on another PC either, then it's a simply HDD failure (likely just the controller card/enclosure and not the HDD). If it works in another computer, then we can continue troubleshooting on your PC.

REHVC · 10-30-2009, 01:35 AM

Thanks for replying!

But like I posted:

Quote:

- connecting the USB HD to another pc (it shows up like it should)

I already tried that and it works perfectly.

Dogg · 10-30-2009, 03:51 PM

Sorry, missed that.

Check Disk Management and see if the drive is listed there.

REHVC · 10-31-2009, 03:53 AM

No problem, I know you are a busy person on this forum, you can't do it all at the same time :)

But again, like I posted:

Quote:

- checking the diskmanagement (the drive doesn't even show up)

Dogg · 10-31-2009, 09:27 AM

I apologize...again.

Check Computer Management / Removable Storage / Libraries ...and see if the HDD is still listed there...if it is, delete it.

You could try reinstalling or upgrading the USB drivers.

REHVC · 11-01-2009, 01:52 AM

.. > Libraries lists this:

Quote:

1. _NEC DVD_RW ND-4551A
2. HA1753V LED347F SCSI CdRom Device
3. Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
4. Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
5. Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
6. Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device

1. My DVD ROM
2. ???
3. Slot 1 of my card reader (I think)
4. Slot 1 of my card reader (I think)
5. Slot 1 of my card reader (I think)
6. Slot 1 of my card reader (I think)

The 4 slots of my card reader are listed in My Computer as seperate drives, that's why I think 3, 4, 5 and 6 are those slots.

I've read up on USB drivers, but I can't seem to find wether or not there are generic USB drivers that I can install.
I also have both my keyboard and mouse connected through USB; will those stop working after an update or reinstall of the USB drivers until I reboot? (In which case I would have to arrange for some other means to reboot my PC.)

REHVC · 11-07-2009, 01:40 AM

Dogg, do you have any other ideas/suggestions?

Dogg · 11-07-2009, 01:00 PM

If you have a commercial PC (ie: Dell, HP, etc.), you can get all of the drivers from the manufacturers website.

Otherwise, you will need to know the motherboard brand and model, then get the drivers from the motherboard manufacturers website.

REHVC · 11-08-2009, 01:58 AM

It's a Fujitsu Siemens, but I can't find any USB drivers at their support site.
I'll open the PC up later and see if I can find the manufacturer of the motherboard.

Just 1 more question: Will updating the USB drivers make my USB mouse and USB keyboard loose contact with my PC (until rebooted)?

REHVC · 11-08-2009, 05:03 AM

Another thing I noticed: My system clock is running slow lately, so that probably means the BIOS battery is empty (right?).
Could that have influence on my problem?

Dogg · 11-11-2009, 08:35 AM

No, I wouldn't expect the drivers to cause the disconnect problem. The system clock issue is likely because the battery is dead, but that shouldn't be causing the problem either.

My first thought would be a failing motherboard, specifically the USB controller. It could also be a power supply issue. Just in case it's an OS/driver issue, it's worth ensuring the drivers are up to date.

10-26-2009, 03:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
REHVC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: Win XP	USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore Hi everyone! I have a system running XP and a 250GB Memorex Traveldrive which used to work nicely together. Now, all of a sudden, the USB HD isn't recognized anymore, my pc doesn't even make the hey-there's-some-usb-device-connected-sound. Other USB devices (mouse, keyboard, PDA and even an USB memory stick) are still detected. I've tried: - rebooting - leaving the pc turned off for some time - checking the diskmanagement (the drive doesn't even show up) - having the pc check for new hardware (nothing found) - using another USB cable - trying other UBS ports - connecting the USB HD to another pc (it shows up like it should) - possibly some other things that I might have forgotten to mention I also had this problem a while back with my integrated card reader. All of a sudden it wouldn't recognize SD cards. Somehow I got it back to work again (I even opened up the PC and pushed all the wiring and plugs), but I'm not sure what made it work again. I don't even know if this is even related to the USB HD problem, but I thought I should mention it. I hope somehow can help me out here! Thanks in advance!

10-27-2009, 02:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
REHVC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: Win XP	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore Some additional information: When I click on Remove hardware safely (the icon in the taskbar with the little green arrow on it) I get a list with: - USB for mass storage (which consists of my card reader slots (4x)) - My WLAN card So apparently they're connected to USB on the main-board as well. I'm not sure if that matters, but I thought I'd mention it...

10-29-2009, 01:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore First, test the HDD on another computer. If it's not recognized on another PC either, then it's a simply HDD failure (likely just the controller card/enclosure and not the HDD). If it works in another computer, then we can continue troubleshooting on your PC. __________________ Google is your friend !

10-30-2009, 03:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore Sorry, missed that. Check Disk Management and see if the drive is listed there. __________________ Google is your friend !

10-31-2009, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore I apologize...again. Check Computer Management / Removable Storage / Libraries ...and see if the HDD is still listed there...if it is, delete it. You could try reinstalling or upgrading the USB drivers. __________________ Google is your friend !

11-07-2009, 01:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
REHVC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: Win XP	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore Dogg, do you have any other ideas/suggestions?

11-07-2009, 01:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore If you have a commercial PC (ie: Dell, HP, etc.), you can get all of the drivers from the manufacturers website. Otherwise, you will need to know the motherboard brand and model, then get the drivers from the motherboard manufacturers website. __________________ Google is your friend !

11-08-2009, 01:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
REHVC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: Win XP	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore It's a Fujitsu Siemens, but I can't find any USB drivers at their support site. I'll open the PC up later and see if I can find the manufacturer of the motherboard. Just 1 more question: Will updating the USB drivers make my USB mouse and USB keyboard loose contact with my PC (until rebooted)?

11-08-2009, 05:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
REHVC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: Win XP	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore Another thing I noticed: My system clock is running slow lately, so that probably means the BIOS battery is empty (right?). Could that have influence on my problem?

11-11-2009, 08:35 AM	#13 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: USB HD suddenly not recognized anymore No, I wouldn't expect the drivers to cause the disconnect problem. The system clock issue is likely because the battery is dead, but that shouldn't be causing the problem either. My first thought would be a failing motherboard, specifically the USB controller. It could also be a power supply issue. Just in case it's an OS/driver issue, it's worth ensuring the drivers are up to date. __________________ Google is your friend !