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Flash drive stopped working

L

lynnzeel

Member

Ok. So I've been using a flash drive religiously for about 6 months. One of those 128MB key chain drives. All of a sudden, out of the blue, I get an error message (USB device not recognized) when I plug into either my desktop or my lap top. BUT... and here is where I get totally confused, if I plug it into the 7 port USB Hub that is attached to my desktop it is recognized and works wonderfully (just like the old days)

1. I have tried multiple ports on both lap and desk top all give same error
2. I have tried plugging another flash drive into either computer (same ports) and it is detected perfectly
3. I have unplugged the Hub and plugged the drive into the exact same port and I get the error message.

I appreciate any and all suggestion, just please keep in mind I am but a simple biology geek and not ultra-adept when it comes to computers.

Thanks so much!
 
the flash drive is failing, back up whats on it immidiately and RMA it if its under warranty or replace it, it could fail completely any time
 
I suppose the stick could be failing, but that's not my first take on it.

I was thinking more along the lines of a corrupt driver or somesuch; with the USB hub in between the PC and the memory stick, there is a device doing the pass-thru/translation, which might provide for a way around the initial driver problems. I'd suggest removing the drivers(if any) that are used with your USB stick and then re-installing said drivers or letting the PCs OS re-detect the device and load whatever drivers it deems appropriate. 🙂

On the plus side, even if the pen is failing, prices have dropped tremendously.. I was just visiting NewEgg.com and they had some 512meg version for like $44.


 
lynn said shes tried it on a different unit ie the desktop, AND the laptop, and shes tried other flash drives in the one thats shes having a problem with and they detect perfectly, since all flash drives use the same driver and its installed on demand, it CANT be a driver problem, replace the drive
 
i beg to differ, if the USB bus driver enumerates a mass storage class compliant device on a computer running Windows it will automatically load the USB storage port driver (usbstor.sys). On all platforms ME, 2K and XP. its the same driver file located in C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers for 2k and xp, couldnt tell ya in ME, though i could hazard a guess its in C:\WINDOWS\System\drivers... if its thae same base file for all windows OS's, how is it not the same?

Edit* i like the quote about the english language by the way 🙂
 
Under both 2000 and XP, I would agree that it's more than likely the same driver. But under other MS operating systems, particularly the Win9x series, 3rd party drivers are required, which is why various USB memory sticks ship with drivers for those older OSs. Unfortunately the thread poster hasn't provided that information for us.

In any event, I've actually experienced a similar event recently with an older 64meg chip under Windows 98. I don't care for Win98 to begin with, but that aside, yes the 64meg chip works fine through a USB hub but not plugged in directly, so who knows? My advice then was to a) upgrade from 98, and b) get a newer chip since they've dropped in price a bunch.
 
Let me guess, they were PNY drives? I went through 2 of them in 8 months. The second one lasted about 2. Fortunately Best Buy has certain manufacturers they accept "past 90 days" stuff in store (no RMA's).
 
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