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Vista external usb drive issue



 
 
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  #1 (permalink)  
Old March 27th 09, 03:41 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
cugamer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Vista external usb drive issue


Greetings all

I just build my first home built system, and I didn't screw it up .
I've installed Windows Vista Business 64 bit which I got for free since
I'm a student which is a plus and it's been mostly smooth sailing except
for one issue which is driving me insane. I have a WD 640gig external
HD and every time I connect it Vista searches for the drivers, and then
tells me it can't find any. I ask for help and it refers me to Western
Digital, who of course tells me that drivers aren't necessary or
available for this drive.

I've been searching for a solution for two days, and I've found various
tricks including manually pointing windows at my system32--drivers
folder, deleting and forging a recreation of my INFCACHE.1 file (six
times) and copying USBPORT files around. In desperation I've even
completely reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled Windows. WD won't
help, Microsoft wants my credit card before they will talk to me and I'm
about to tear my hair out.

At this point I'm considering switching to XP 64 bit, I don't know what
else to do. I work technical support for at&t, I have 170 credits of
higher education and a subscription to Scientific American and I still
can't fix this. Any assistance anyone can offer would be greatly
appreciated.

My system specs:
Intel i7 2.66
Asus P6T LGS motherboard
Raydeon 4870 1gb
6 gig of OCZ 1333 DDR3
Windows Vista Business 64 bit, SP1

External hard drive:
WD Elements 640 gb


--
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  #2 (permalink)  
Old March 27th 09, 06:54 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
Curious[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 535
Default Vista external usb drive issue

Do you have Vista SP1 installed and you have you used Winupdate to check for
any USB driver updates?
How is the external drive receiving its power? If via the USB cable is it
on a separate powered HUB?

"cugamer" wrote in message
...

Greetings all

I just build my first home built system, and I didn't screw it up .
I've installed Windows Vista Business 64 bit which I got for free since
I'm a student which is a plus and it's been mostly smooth sailing except
for one issue which is driving me insane. I have a WD 640gig external
HD and every time I connect it Vista searches for the drivers, and then
tells me it can't find any. I ask for help and it refers me to Western
Digital, who of course tells me that drivers aren't necessary or
available for this drive.

I've been searching for a solution for two days, and I've found various
tricks including manually pointing windows at my system32--drivers
folder, deleting and forging a recreation of my INFCACHE.1 file (six
times) and copying USBPORT files around. In desperation I've even
completely reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled Windows. WD won't
help, Microsoft wants my credit card before they will talk to me and I'm
about to tear my hair out.

At this point I'm considering switching to XP 64 bit, I don't know what
else to do. I work technical support for at&t, I have 170 credits of
higher education and a subscription to Scientific American and I still
can't fix this. Any assistance anyone can offer would be greatly
appreciated.

My system specs:
Intel i7 2.66
Asus P6T LGS motherboard
Raydeon 4870 1gb
6 gig of OCZ 1333 DDR3
Windows Vista Business 64 bit, SP1

External hard drive:
WD Elements 640 gb


--
cugamer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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View this thread:
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-har...es/1149287.htm

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  #3 (permalink)  
Old March 27th 09, 07:59 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
DL
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,028
Default Vista external usb drive issue

As you well know Winupdate is the last place to look for driver updates,
unless you want further problems


"Curious" wrote in message
...
Do you have Vista SP1 installed and you have you used Winupdate to check
for any USB driver updates?
How is the external drive receiving its power? If via the USB cable is
it on a separate powered HUB?

"cugamer" wrote in message
...

Greetings all

I just build my first home built system, and I didn't screw it up .
I've installed Windows Vista Business 64 bit which I got for free since
I'm a student which is a plus and it's been mostly smooth sailing except
for one issue which is driving me insane. I have a WD 640gig external
HD and every time I connect it Vista searches for the drivers, and then
tells me it can't find any. I ask for help and it refers me to Western
Digital, who of course tells me that drivers aren't necessary or
available for this drive.

I've been searching for a solution for two days, and I've found various
tricks including manually pointing windows at my system32--drivers
folder, deleting and forging a recreation of my INFCACHE.1 file (six
times) and copying USBPORT files around. In desperation I've even
completely reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled Windows. WD won't
help, Microsoft wants my credit card before they will talk to me and I'm
about to tear my hair out.

At this point I'm considering switching to XP 64 bit, I don't know what
else to do. I work technical support for at&t, I have 170 credits of
higher education and a subscription to Scientific American and I still
can't fix this. Any assistance anyone can offer would be greatly
appreciated.

My system specs:
Intel i7 2.66
Asus P6T LGS motherboard
Raydeon 4870 1gb
6 gig of OCZ 1333 DDR3
Windows Vista Business 64 bit, SP1

External hard drive:
WD Elements 640 gb


--
cugamer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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View this thread:
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-har...es/1149287.htm

http://forums.techarena.in



  #4 (permalink)  
Old March 28th 09, 02:57 AM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
freenews.iinet.net.au
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3
Default Vista external usb drive issue

Just a suggestion:
Have you tried changing Plug & Play or USB settings in BIOS?



"cugamer" wrote in message
...

Greetings all

I just build my first home built system, and I didn't screw it up .
I've installed Windows Vista Business 64 bit which I got for free since
I'm a student which is a plus and it's been mostly smooth sailing except
for one issue which is driving me insane. I have a WD 640gig external
HD and every time I connect it Vista searches for the drivers, and then
tells me it can't find any. I ask for help and it refers me to Western
Digital, who of course tells me that drivers aren't necessary or
available for this drive.

I've been searching for a solution for two days, and I've found various
tricks including manually pointing windows at my system32--drivers
folder, deleting and forging a recreation of my INFCACHE.1 file (six
times) and copying USBPORT files around. In desperation I've even
completely reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled Windows. WD won't
help, Microsoft wants my credit card before they will talk to me and I'm
about to tear my hair out.

At this point I'm considering switching to XP 64 bit, I don't know what
else to do. I work technical support for at&t, I have 170 credits of
higher education and a subscription to Scientific American and I still
can't fix this. Any assistance anyone can offer would be greatly
appreciated.

My system specs:
Intel i7 2.66
Asus P6T LGS motherboard
Raydeon 4870 1gb
6 gig of OCZ 1333 DDR3
Windows Vista Business 64 bit, SP1

External hard drive:
WD Elements 640 gb


--
cugamer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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View this thread:
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-har...es/1149287.htm

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  #5 (permalink)  
Old March 28th 09, 03:09 AM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
cugamer[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Vista external usb drive issue


I'm running SP1, and there aren't any updates via Winupdate. The hard
drive is getting it's power from a separate power cord. Windows
recognizes that it's there, even knows what it is (by name) but refuses
to install the driver for it.


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  #6 (permalink)  
Old March 28th 09, 04:26 AM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
cugamer[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Vista external usb drive issue


I have tried changing the PnP settings so that the OS has more control,
no change in the effect. I've not changed any of the USB settings
themselves as they seem set correctly.

I should also mention that I have other USB devices (track ball and a 2
gig sandisk thumbdrive) that work just fine. The hard drive works fine
in another computer, and a I've tried two of these WD drives in my
system, both have the driver problem.

One other strange thing I've noticed. Before I installed Vista I had
an old copy of XP pro installed, and it didn't seem to want to recognize
the hard drive. I didn't push it as I was about to upgrade but this
would seem to indicate a hardware problem. Still, the issue is with
drivers, which is software and that's where I'm trying to focus and find
the solution.


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  #7 (permalink)  
Old March 28th 09, 04:55 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
cugamer[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Vista external usb drive issue


Update and change to my issue

I've continued trying various fixes I've found on the web and today
I've noticed a change. Not any better, but at least I have a different
error.

I updated my MB BIOS overnight and this morning was going to try the
"delete the infcache over and over again" routine when I discovered i
didn't have the infcache file. I tried connecting the hard drive and
got "One of the usb devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned
and windows does not recognize it." Disconnect and reconnect, I get a
message telling me that the drivers are successfully installed. Happy
dance.

When I look in the computer folder, the drive still isn't showing. I
notice that infcache has reappeared out of order in my inf folder. I
tried deleting it, disconnected and reconnected the HD, back to the
"malfunctioned" error. I rebooted, still getting the same error. I've
restored the infcache file, stil getting the same error.

Just wanted to keep you good folks up to date as the issue seems to
have morphed into another, equally irritation one.


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  #8 (permalink)  
Old March 28th 09, 06:23 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
John
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 388
Default Vista external usb drive issue

Try using the HD as the only USB device connected. Try connecting it
directly to the MB USB socket. If more than 1 MB socket, try all of them,
one at a time. Check the Asus forums for anything about your MB's USB
devices.

"cugamer" wrote in message
...

Greetings all

I just build my first home built system, and I didn't screw it up .
I've installed Windows Vista Business 64 bit which I got for free since
I'm a student which is a plus and it's been mostly smooth sailing except
for one issue which is driving me insane. I have a WD 640gig external
HD and every time I connect it Vista searches for the drivers, and then
tells me it can't find any. I ask for help and it refers me to Western
Digital, who of course tells me that drivers aren't necessary or
available for this drive.

I've been searching for a solution for two days, and I've found various
tricks including manually pointing windows at my system32--drivers
folder, deleting and forging a recreation of my INFCACHE.1 file (six
times) and copying USBPORT files around. In desperation I've even
completely reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled Windows. WD won't
help, Microsoft wants my credit card before they will talk to me and I'm
about to tear my hair out.

At this point I'm considering switching to XP 64 bit, I don't know what
else to do. I work technical support for at&t, I have 170 credits of
higher education and a subscription to Scientific American and I still
can't fix this. Any assistance anyone can offer would be greatly
appreciated.

My system specs:
Intel i7 2.66
Asus P6T LGS motherboard
Raydeon 4870 1gb
6 gig of OCZ 1333 DDR3
Windows Vista Business 64 bit, SP1

External hard drive:
WD Elements 640 gb


--
cugamer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cugamer's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/85605.htm
View this thread:
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-har...es/1149287.htm

http://forums.techarena.in



  #9 (permalink)  
Old March 28th 09, 09:01 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
cugamer[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Vista external usb drive issue


Thanks for all the suggestions but still no luck.

I'm back to the original "can't find driver" error. I've tried it in
multiple USB ports, other devices work just fine. Windows identifies
the drive as a WD 640 gig device, then refers me to them. Of course,
Western Digital is far to cool to provide driver support these days, so
that's no help. I can't really blame them as this is something that the
worlds most advanced OS should handle with ease.

So for I've wasted about six hours of my life on this. Kinda killing
the new computer buzz. Thanks for all the help so far, if anyone has
more ideas, please, please let me know.


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  #10 (permalink)  
Old March 29th 09, 05:08 PM posted to microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
maya
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 198
Default Vista external usb drive issue

cugamer wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions but still no luck.

I'm back to the original "can't find driver" error. I've tried it in
multiple USB ports, other devices work just fine. Windows identifies
the drive as a WD 640 gig device, then refers me to them. Of course,
Western Digital is far to cool to provide driver support these days, so
that's no help. I can't really blame them as this is something that the
worlds most advanced OS should handle with ease.

So for I've wasted about six hours of my life on this. Kinda killing
the new computer buzz. Thanks for all the help so far, if anyone has
more ideas, please, please let me know.



join the club, man... unfortunately.. I'm on Vista Ultimate and I'm having the
EXACT SAME PROBLEM.. from one day to the other Vista stopped reading ALL THREE of
my external HD's.. I tested them at another computer, they all worked fine.. this
went on for about a month or so.. finally from one day to the other it started
reading the external drive again.. at that point I backed up all my data to the
external drive and did a clean re-install of Vista.. (OEM had said this was the
solution to the problem of the drive, and other problems I was having (the
microphone stopped working, I couldn't use Skype, the control remote stopped
working, I couldn't watch movies anymore.. they (OEM) always say that Vista gets
"corrupted" and you need to re-install to solve the problems you're having..)

but: now, after re-install of Vista, the remote control works again, the microphone
works only sometimes, and guess what: about 10 days after the last re-install of
Vista once again Vista isn't reading the external drive again, where I have all my
data, I can't even back anything up at this point, so I can't re-install Vista
again.. until it can read my external drive again..

all the solutions I have found online (a lot of other folks are having this problem,
just google "vista not reading external device" or something..) like going to Disk
Manager, don't work, I don't even SEE the external drive in Disk Manager... I did a
System Restore, of course that didn't work either...

this OS is a TOTAL AND UNMITIGATED DISASTER, I have simply NEVER seen such a shoddy
product, what a piece of garbage.. (I mean: has anybody EVER heard of an OS that
needs to be re-installed every few months or so, wiping your HD in the process
because it gets "corrupted" every few months?) this is the most retarded sw ever
written... as soon as I have money I will purchase XP and be done w/Vista for good...

if you ever find a solution to your problem post here so others can be helped.. in
my particular situation I think I have no option but to do a clean re-install of
Vista once again.. (I guess I can burn the little data I have created since the
last re-install to a DVD (which is still no small feat, as you have to back up
email, other settings (bookmarks, etc.))

OH BROTHER.... when will my LONG VISTA nightmare be over....









 




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