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Proposed AnswerUSB mass storage drivers stopped working

  • Friday, August 28, 2009 7:24 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    I own a Sony Vaio FW11S laptop, which operates on Vista Home Premium SP2.

    Recently my laptop stopped recognising mass storage devices, such as iPods, external hard drives or memory sticks, despite previously working without any problems. My mousse or camera works just fine. When I plug in a mass storage device, I get the message "USB Device Not Recognised". In Device Manager, under USB it appears as an "Unknown Device". When trying to update the drivers, I get the message that the best drivers have already been installed for this device.

    I have tried to do a system restore, which did not fix the problem. I have uninstalled by USB drives and rebooted my computer, to no avail. I have read every thread there is on this topic (!!!!!), and tried things like deleting the Cache file, with no success.

    It seems like there are others who have the same problem - has anyone found a fix?

    Thank you.
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  • Friday, August 28, 2009 7:38 AMSpiritX Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi,

    First check here : 

    Control Panel - Device Manager - USB Serial Controllers - USB Mass Storage Devices (you may have
    more than one - if so check all) - double click and on Driver Tab - Click Driver Details - the defaut is
    C:\Windows\System32\drivers\USBSTOR.SYS  (the C:\Windows is where you have windows installed
    if not C:\Windows\)

    Check this again as you preceed through these.
    -------------------------------------------------------------

    Make a Restore Point

    Control Panel - Device Manager - click in the blank area - then VIEW - Show Hidden Devices

    now look everywhere EXCEPT USB Controllers for your device (may not find ANY) and if you find
    it RIGHT CLICK and UNINSTALL them all. The Device is your drive(s) or similar.

    now go to USB Controllers and UNINSTALL EVERYTHING in the category but the category itself.

    APPLY/OK

    REBOOT

    This will refresh the USB stack and hopefully allow the device to install. (You may need a powered hub)

    Here is the similar procedure in XP, Vista's is the same except we need to clear the specific device if present.
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575

    Here is a utility to help but do the above 1st.

    USBDeview is a small utility that lists all USB devices that currently connected to your computer, as well as all
    USB devices that you previously used. Run it Options and check the 1st three choices to see if any are there.
    Try removing all instances and rebooting then plug in the drive.
    http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

    Hardware devices not detected or not working - Mr Fixit
    http://support.microsoft.com/gp/hardware_device_problems

    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Check this :

    Start - type in Search box -    Windows Disk - find Windows Disk Management on list at top -
    Right Click - RUN AS ADMIN   look to see if there is a driver letter assigned or a conflict or the
    drive letter assigned is not the one you are used to seeing. This of course may not show the
    drive at all, this is just a check.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html

    Its complex however the site has lots of help.

    And all of this?

    Also see this thread and the ones it refers too.
    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistahardware/thread/ff81438c-eac5-4b38-8b89-d1a1dbe837f3

    Hope this helps.


    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
  • Friday, August 28, 2009 9:20 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Thanks for your reply. Ok, I am technically challenged, please bare with me!!!!!! For your first point, I have USB Universal Host Controllers, Enhanced Host Controllers and USB Root Hubs.

    For Universal Controllers, I have the following details: c\\windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys + usbport.sys + usbuhci.sys and c:\\windows\system32\hcrstco.dll

    For Enhanced controllers, c\\windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys + usbport.sys + usbehci.sys and c:\\windows\system32\hcrstco.dll

    For Root Hubs, c\\windows\system32\drivers\usbd.sys + usbhub.sys

    I then have a USB Composite Device, with the following details: c\\windows\system32\drivers\usbccgp.sys

    and finally an Unknown Device, with "no drivers required or loaded" message.

    With respect to your second point, I have previously tried to uninstall my USB Host Controllers and reboot - that did not fix the problem.

    Where do I go next?
  • Friday, August 28, 2009 2:48 PMSpiritX Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Plug the drive in and see if you have a USB Mass Storage Device - if so check the driver.

    Make a Restore Point

    How to Create a System Restore Point in Vista
    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76332-system-restore-point-create.html

    If not use USBDeview to remove ALL instances of it - Power Off - Remove the Drive -
    Power ON, and when stable (after say 5 minutes) plug the drive back in.

    If the drive now shows up in Device Manager but does not work - Disks or USB Controllers Mast Storage
    then check its driver and proceed from top again.

    Do not think just because you have done something once you do not need to try it again later -
    fixing this is a process when you often have to repeat the steps.

    Hope this helps.

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
  • Tuesday, September 01, 2009 8:15 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    I got some mixed results! I was able to make it work... but unfortunately it was not a sustained result, once I rebooted my computer it was back to not recognising the device. Here's what happens:

    When I plug in the mass storage device, I get the "USB device not recognised" message and 2 (two) Unknown Devices under USB in Device Manager

    Then I uninstall Enhanced Universal Host Controller 293(A) - both Unknown Devices diappear from the Device Manager
    by the way, I have Enhanced Universal Host Controller 293(A) and 293(C) but not 293(B) - is this normal?

    I unplug the device and re-plug in and I get the message "this device can perform faster if you connect to a hi-speed USB 2.0 port" and my device appears both in Device Manager and My Computer and I can use it - but at snail speed!

    When I reboot the computer, Enhanced Universal Host Controller 293(A) reinstalls and I get "USB device not recognised" when I plug the mass storage device and have to go thru the same process

    I don't really understand technical stuff but this seems like a corrupted Enhanced Universal Host Controller - is this possible? If so, what do I need to do?

    Thanks for your continued help!
  • Tuesday, September 01, 2009 8:42 AMSpiritX Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Did you remove everything under USB Controllers except the category? Did you remover all the problematic
    devices at the same time?

    Please remove ALL and then reboot so your are starting with a fresh driver stack again and then try this new
    Mr Fixit. If no joy its back to the steps listed on the above message.

    Tips for solving problems with USB devices - and a Mr Fixit
    http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/c39bd203-f729-47a4-8351-83291e13c8a81033.mspx#EGB

    If no joy be sure you remove the devices in USBdeview and try again after a reboot.




    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
  • Tuesday, September 01, 2009 10:23 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    I did remove ALL the controllers. Once all the controllers are removed, the problematic devices disappear.

    As to USBdeview, I see no response when I uninstall the devices - ie the device is still on the USBdeview panel (but not on Device Manager). Is this normal or am I not doing this correctly?
  • Tuesday, September 01, 2009 2:33 PMSpiritX Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Sometimes you have to refresh USBdeview. And please try the fixit. If no joy then my only suggestion
    is the last setion of my 1st reply.

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
  • Thursday, September 03, 2009 5:40 AMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     


    When Windows Vista does not recognize a USB device when plugged:

    1. Disconnect all USB devices that are working with conflicts (they are shown in the Device Manager).

    2. Restart and see that no Windows popup offers to install drivers, and never can.

    3. Go to start > Computer > Windows > inf > INFCACHE.1, which is the file causing the trouble and we want to delete it. To do so we need to have maximum authorization as Administrator Privileges.

    4. Right click INFCACHE.1 > Properties > Security tab > Edit the permission. If you are the Administrator give yourself Full Control (all options with checks), because you need it to delete and move a Windows Operating System file, and click Ok.

    5. Before deleting the INFCACHE.1 file, copy it to any other place, just in case. Delete the original Windows  INFCACHE.1 inside the inf file. Restart.

    6. Start connecting your USB devices one by one, giving Windows Vista enough time to install the drivers and show the Successfully Installed popup display.
     
    7. Look where you saved the copy of the INFCACHE.1 file and delete it.

    Efraín Morales

     

  • Monday, September 21, 2009 3:14 PMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Efrain, Spirit X,

    thanks for your support. I got a little lazy because I got partial success!

    I have done everything you have suggested but when I plug in a mass storage device, I get the message "USB device not recognised". If then I go to device manager and uninstall Enhanced Universal Host Controller 293(A), my computer starts recognising USB mass storage devices, although with a sign "this USB device can run faster".

    Once I reboot, Enhanced Universal Host Controller 293(A) gets reinstalled and I am back to square one.

    Conventional wisdow suggests, there is a problem with the Enhanced Universal Host Controller 293(A)... although I know Vista is not necessarily about conventional wisdom!

    Any other thoughts?

    selim.
  • Thursday, November 05, 2009 11:45 AMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hey selim2k3
    You are lucky ! I know your issue ! And I am glad to help you .This is a complex problem and is difficult to understand but I try to simple it . Just follow the steps below :

    1- open device manager by right clicking on "my computer" and select "manage" and then select " device mnager" on the left .
    2- Expand "usb controlers" and right cick on "USB Root Hub " .
    3- On the window opened go to the "Power management"
    4- THIS is the issue : Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" .

    And I killed myself to find it !! But now I am alive , ha ha ... " Sometimes the simple thing can eat the complex one in simple way "
  • Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:24 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    thank you for the tip leonardo. unfortunately it did not work! as soon as i reboot my computer the root hubs return with "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" ticked. in any event, even when i did it, the mass storage devices were unrecognised.

    i got a vista home premium disc - is it possible to reinstall drivers? or should i just get windows 7? will i be able to upgrade to windows 7 without having to reinstall it therefore losing all the data on the computer?

  • Saturday, November 07, 2009 1:46 PMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     

    oh.. It must work !! Emm

    First- Remember that every " USB ROOT HUB " has its own settings and you must uncheck the power management option for each one .If you unchecked one but use another usb port with checked option , you recieve "unknown device" .

    2nd- If you do that for all usb root hubs and after rebooting see they are checked , It must be pre sets from the bios !and need to control it ! 

    so Remember What did you do that cause the problem ? 1- Did you change your bios settings ? if yes try to back it to default settings . 2- did you install a software that after that see the problem ? if yes try to uninstall it . 3- Do you use specific antivirus software which limits access to usb storages ? if yes try to control it . 4- and finally it may be a virus cause the problem so try to full scan your laptop ! try " Malwarebytes" and " Spybot search & destroy" .These are freeware scaners , download them , update them , and full scan your laptop !

    3rd - If everything is ok , try to restore your windows to a point time that sure your laptop was working well , using windows restore wizard .

    4- If the problem persists , save all of your data on a drive of your hard disk that not contains windows , and try to restore your laptop to the factory settings . you can find how to do it on Sony web site .

     

    About the vista DVD , you can insert it and reboot the laptop ( with cd/dvd first boot selection ) , when it runs try to select repair option on windows set up wizard .It will check for problem in drivers .

    And If you "upgrade" the Vista to 7 , your data wouldn't be lost .But If you fresh install windows 7 ( Custom installation ) you will lose your data !!! so becareful what you select " upgrade" or "custom installation" !

    hope this help !

  • Saturday, November 07, 2009 1:59 PMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    and other thing ! Remember that some mainboard platform chipsets like intel ones , use thier own drivers to connect with other peripherals . so I suggest to uninstall all your board drives and rinstall them with your laptop drivers Disk . Or download the latest drivers via sony web site !
    Good luck
  • Saturday, November 07, 2009 3:58 PMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    i think i am going to give the vista dvd a go! what exactly do i need to do? i want to make sure i don't mess things up :-)
  • Saturday, November 07, 2009 10:54 PMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi selim2k3:
    Please excuse me for being away for such a long time.
    Before you give the Vista CD a go, please try the following:
    First :

     

          E.  USB and Hardware issues

     

    Removing hardware by just pulling it off the USB plug is the worst way of handling your PC, always use the Safety Remove Hardware tool. Refresh your USB drivers as follows:

    First you need access to all hidden files inside your PC. Right click Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings at the left side > in the Advance tab select Environment Variables > in System Variables click New and enter:  "devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices" without the parenthesis and enter 1 for the Value. Click the Ok and Exit.

     

    The above instruction is for Windows Vista, but is similar for XP, and is intended to be used only on single non network PC (never in a network). Please open the Device Manager and the Universal Serial Bus Controller, look at the USB icons and you will notice that all have a solid black color. Click View at top and select Show Hidden Devices (has to be selected on every test because it does not stay fix by default). Take again a close look at the USB icons and you will see that some are transparent. These USB transparent icons are the leftover drivers that Windows assigns to the hardware that you remove, in some cases month or years ago. Uninstall only all transparent USB icons. Next time you plug any device, Windows again will provide the required driver to the specific USB, or the one that is in the hardware program you have installed.

     

    To have a better understanding of the conflict that is caused by removing the hardware from the USB, by only pulling the plug and not using the Safety Remove Hardware tool, please do the following:

    With any available hardware, plug it on all the empty USB ports you have on the PC, letting Windows install the driver and then simply unplug to remove. Try to install a different hardware in the same USB ports and in some of them Windows will not detect the device; this is because the USB is empty but is still in use with the previous driver. Plug the first same device and now right click it and select Safely Remove and unplug. No transparent icon is shown.

     

    Sometimes even using the Safely Remove feature, the Windows driver is left assigned to the USB port, maybe expecting to have the same hardware plugged again. This is why is important to check and uninstall the transparent USB icons. If you have not done the maintenance, don't blame any of the Windows OS for the USB conflicts when installing your hardware devices.  After you finish, check for other transparent hidden devices in the Device Manager and see how many belong to things that you no longer use. How many months or years have passed since you used and removed some of the devices shown? Do the maintenance and you will have perfectly working USB ports.

    Second:

    If you have a desktop. can you turn off and disconnect the power, push the power buttom for a minute, remove the RAM cards for a minute and reinstall them. Or if you have a laptop, turn off and remove the battery. Push the power buttom for a minute and reconnect the battery. Turn the PC on and see if it recognizes the USB correctly.
    Remember that any USB hub you use should be USB 2.0 capable for high speed, not only low 1.0 capable.

  • Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:00 PMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    welcome back efrain!

    i did the uninstall of the transparent usb devices. there was still one "unknown device" in bold - i deleted that too. i restarted my computer. the "unknown device" came back, in bold. and when i plugged in my ipod... "usb device not recognised" :-(

    what do i do now?
  • Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:04 PMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi selim2k3:
    Please tell me:
    1. Have you a desktop or laptop?
    2. In any case do the logoff, disconnect and push the power button. If laptop remove battery as told. On desktop don't do the RAM because you can fail.
    3. Have you an external USB hub were you connect the iPod or do you connect directly to the PC?
    4. If you have an external USB hub, is it 2.0 with the high transfer speed?
      
  • Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:16 PMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    i have a laptop.
    i did try removing the battery - it did not fix the issue.
    usb hubs are on the laptop.

    removing one of the enhanced host controllers (remove 293A, i also have 293C) seems to fix the issue, but only until the next restart. although everything is slower as if i do not have usb 2.0.

  • Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:33 PMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Selim2k3:
    You are missing the USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller, and I need to be sure they are Intel, so we can downloal if necessary. Please help me by looking into the the CDs that came with your Vaio FW11S. Maybe you have the CD and can reinstall them. Intel has a place that you furnish all youp PC information, it analizes your PC, and gives you back the latest driver specially compatible with your model.
    I hope yours are Intel, Mine are as follows:

    Intel ICH8 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller 2836
    Intel ICH8 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller 283A

    These two are USB2 for high speed. I have others but are only USB which means they are 1, low speed.

    If you don't have USB2 then we hit the solution to your problem, that is why the iPod doesn't connect.

    The Intel driver is in USB 2.0.exe with the driver to provide high speed, version 5.1.2600 dated 4/8/2002.

     http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng


    Efrain
  • Monday, November 09, 2009 6:34 AMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi slim2k3
    The windows vista has the drivers for usb 2.0 itself and there is no need to search for usb 2.0 drivers ! you just need to introduce the USB 2.0 hubs to your mainboard chipset ! so If your laptop chipset is intel , just find the latest driver for your chipset model which it contains the usb controlers . so again I suggest :

    1- solve the " power management " issue first .

    2- uninstall your mainboard ( chipset ) drivers completely and reinstall them !

    I think , your problem is like mine , which the usb root hubs are turned off for power saving and you get " unknown device " alert !

    sometimes an update from microsoft for windows may lead to a hardware of your system goes to " turn off for power saving " and it was reported on wireless adaptor for example and it is obvious on service pack 2 . so updating your chipset driver to latest one may fix it .

    Good luck
  • Monday, November 09, 2009 5:56 PMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    efrain - i do have intel drivers. the 2.0 drivers are Intel ICH9 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller 293A and 293C.
  • Monday, November 09, 2009 5:59 PMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    leonadro - a dumb question! which are my mainboard drivers? the usb drivers? how exactly do i fix the "power management issue" as the previous attempt did not work? you mentioned bio settings - is that the way to go? how exactly?
  • Monday, November 09, 2009 8:07 PMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi selim2k3:
    Those Enhanced are exactly the controllers that provide the USB2 high speed. Your numbers are higher because you have a newer and expensive PC, more than my Dell XPS M1530 for which I paid $3,200. + almost 2 years ago. LOL.
    Researching on the Vaio forum, it mentions a problem with USB 2.0 controllers and a MicroVault flash drive.
    Back to our problem:
    1. The USB2 Enhanced are not responding to reinstallations. You have disabled them, restarted, and Windows Vista reinstall drivers that last just a short time (they are disabled as 2.0 and become 1.2 as soon as a 2.0 hardware is connected, in this case an iPod).
    2. There is a possibility that the Windows USB 2.0 drivers are corrupted. If they are we should avoid Windows intervention before a new driver is installed.
    3. Download the driver and try 3 different installation paths, both avoiding Windows interferance:
        a. Without removing  the Controllers, install the Sony download and try the iPod.
        b. Remove the Controllers, connect the iPod and restart
        c. Connect the iPod and look for it in Control Panel. It should be shown as working under Universal Host Controllers; offer to upgrade and manually install.
    I sure hope this will work.

    Efrain
  • Tuesday, November 10, 2009 1:57 PMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Ok . As your Chipset is Intel , the main mainboard driver is the chipset driver . The chipset "ICH9" is the south part of the main Intel chipset ( North part )  which probably may be a 4 series ( PM45,GM45,GS45,GL40) one . The south part "ICH9" chipset is responsible for detecting and comunicating with pc peripherals like mouse, keyboard , usb ports and ... . So you need to install the latest driver for your Intel chipset . you can go to the Intel web site and there they offer a utility to automatically scan your laptop and find the best driver for your chipset .

    Regarding to your power management issue , First be sure to uncheck the power management option of all the usb root hubs ( do that for everyone ) !! While you tell that they are checked , so this is the problem !! you don't need to reboot the pc after unchecking them ! also you can go to the bios . when you reboot the pc and while the sony vaio logo appears , quickly press F2 or Del key several times (see what the bios offer you . you can find the correct key in top right or buttom of the screen while booting and the sony vaio logo appears ) , there you can reach the usb controlers through "on-board devices" . and look if the power management option on usb controlers catagory is enabeled , just  disable that .I can't guide you in detail because we have several bioses and you can get more help on sony web site about your specific bios .


    good luck

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2009 2:26 PMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hey slim2k3 just mention this one I found it while googling :
    " I'm the one who originally posted about the USB problems after installing SP2. Microsoft has actually acknowledged this problem! I can't believe it. They have a fix that must be requested, and then they send you the link to the fix in an email. I did that, installed the fix---and was STILL dead in the water without any functioning USB devices. Way to go Microsoft! Finally, I simply uninstalled SP2 and when my system rebooted--I had all my USB back! Not content to believe that all was now well, I did a full restore from an image I made just before the original install of SP2. I'm back to normal, whatever that is. The absolute biggest and most horrific scenario is about to hit me smack in the face-----Microsoft is going to demand that I open my wallet once again--for Windows 7 (Vista SP3). What is that saying about ____ freezing over? I truly believe that the Microsoft Empire is crumbling and there is nothing they can do to fix it. Windows 7 for free to the people who purchased Vista would be a help, but don't count on it. As for me--I'm going to re-do my system once again and revert back to XP. I don't care if Microsoft drops support for it or not--they can go to that place that's freezing over."

    Does your problem occurs after installing service pack 2 ?
  • Tuesday, November 10, 2009 6:41 PMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     Proposed Answer
    Hi leonadro:

    Wow. These 2 last post are excellent. I really hope selim2ks can get his USB2.0 back. He have been dealing with this problen for many month that he is frustrated, with reason. In my previous post I gave my last 2 cents, so now my brain is empty of new ideas.
    Now going back to you leaving Vista for XP; is like the ostrich, hiding the head to avoid confrontation. Sooner or later you are going to find yourself alone in the dark. Iff your PC is capable, go for W7 Pro 32. I am enjoying this baby. It is excellent and almost identical to my Vista Ultimate but with more goodies. I feel like I am still using Vista but without the freezes.
    I am updating my PC maintenance writing for "simple people that are affraid to make changes to their computers", also another on "How to Prepare for  a W7 Custom Install with the Least Amount of Problems".
    • Proposed As Answer byextrashadow Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:09 PM
    •  
  • Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:17 PMextrashadow Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    I'm no expert but I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM MYSELF a couple of times,with xp and vista my solution was to uninstall all of the board's driver's(after downloading the new drivers from sony or the board manufacturer's web site)then install the new ones,hope this will help.
  • Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:29 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    hi Efrain!

    where do i download the drivers from? i tried the intel site and checked whether my drivers were the latest one (they offer a utility to test); i came back with "you have the most up to date drivers". would they be available on the sony web site?

    selim.
  • Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:37 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    would they by any chance be called "chipset drivers"?
  • Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:41 AMSpiritX Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi,

    Yes those are chipset drivers.

    Try this :

    Remove the drive  

    Use the Nirsoft tool above to remove all instances of the stick (USBdeview).

    Reboot

    Then look in "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository" for your latest version of usbstor.inf_xxxxxxxxx

    You will have several with different dates and numbers - you want the newest version by Date which for me is
    5-26-2009 though yours may be entirely different. Enter that folder and copy the 4 files there to

    "C:\Windows\inf"

    Now put in your device and have it look for drivers in "C:\Windows\inf"

    Hope this helps.


    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
  • Monday, November 16, 2009 7:25 AMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hello to all
    I have experienced a strange event recently ! I can't believe this one ! may be this have relationship with Slim2k3 problem . however I didn't see like this before !!
    my brother puts the microsoft visual studio 6 disk into his Dell laptop dvd rom , and the installation goes on , But after that the dvd rom goes down and get bad disorders , It doesn't read any dvd or cd after that ,sometimes it read ,sometimes not !! I full format the hdd and fresh installed the windows vista and upgrade the dvd rom TSST firmware , but no success !!Strange !! first I thought the dvd rom laser lens has been damaged ,But not because ..

    I insert the mentioned disk into my desktop pc dvd rom (ASUS ) and try to install visual studio 6 , but after that the same event occurs and the second dvd rom stoped working . It can recognize there is cd or dvd into itself but opens them as blank cd or dvd ! and other thing is that the usb devices stoped working ,the system can recognize the usb devices inserted but can't open them !! ex : It can recognize a usb mass storage inserted but can't recognize its name and just show "Removable flash disk" ! and when try to open it , says the flash disk doesn't fomated yet and gives the option to format it !! however the flash disk work on other pc well !!

    So ,what do you think ?!?!
  • Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:40 PMEfraín Morales Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hi selim2k3:
    Sorry I took so long to answer, I was helping neighbors with W7. I have tried 2 driver analizer software; Driver Detective and Driver Robot. The best is Detective, which I tested free for 30 days and didn't subscribed because it said all my drivers were updated. Please try for 30d Detective and don't subscribe but see if it can fix your driver issue. The program is very safe and is totally uninstalled without problem.

    http://www.drivershq.com/

    Efrain

    Did you do the infcache file removal mentioned in my first post? (instead of initial removal place XXX at beginning of file name and then delete when new one is created)
  • Friday, November 20, 2009 2:16 AMextrashadow Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    HELLO,intresting issue here,well it seems to me that you have a problem with your anti-virus software,first,what os are you on?please check your data execution prevention(dep)settings,hope to have helped
  • Friday, November 20, 2009 7:03 AMleonadro Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    Hello to all
    Selim2k3 ,Regarding your issue I found a FIXIT utility from microsoft that it provided to me by " Jos Raymond " , I think you should give it a try , however , it is for windows XP :

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196


    Good luck
  • Saturday, November 21, 2009 2:28 PMsquarepeg2 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    I've been experiencing similar problems with a Sandisk usb memory device and a Western Digital external hard drive on my Windows XP Dell  PC.  I'm very careful about using the Safely Remove feature.  The above procedure worked but the devices were again not recognised the next time I plugged them in.    I inserted the memory devices into my laptop, right clicked in My Computer, selected properties, tools, error checking.  I ran the error checking and repair tool (which took forever on the 250GB hard drive) and this seems to have solved the problem.  It remains to be seen whether it's a permanent fix.
  • Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:50 AMselim2k3 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     

    interesting thought, the anti-virus software. i am on vista and use mc affee anti-virus. pls tell me more about the dep settings!

  • Tuesday, November 24, 2009 4:48 AMCatherine063 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
    I have read every forum and followed every tip, trick and fix for the very same problem on my desktop- and hope I have found a solution for some of you. Half way down the page in the link below 'JohnKelly46' has posted the answer to what has kept me sleepless for almost a week searching for a solution. He has also provided a clear explanation (with diagrams!). None of my USB ports worked, unknown device error message, uninstall/reinstalled drivers and still no joy, I put the device manager through every check known to mankind without success then just before a technician arrived to check my pc I found this advice- UNPLUG your computer from the main power supply-the power-boards, extension leads AND wall. I unplugged mine from everything and then leave it sit for a minimum of 1 minute. Reconnect your computer everything and reboot. Check your memory sticks, external drives, ipods etc. PLEASE READ ORIGINAL POST for an explanation why this works. It has for me and others and I hope it does for you. All credit to JohnKelly46.
      http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/GettingReadyforWindows7/thread/4665f66a-0937-42c5-a826-febfc2512991/


    Regards Catherine.
    • Edited byCatherine063 Tuesday, November 24, 2009 4:58 AMsentence edit
    •