I got a fix for flash drive problems!!!
Reference:
http://forum.osnn.net/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=86226
I've had this problem for nearly 3 weeks. Above I posted the link to the problem I had. Thanks again to everyone who helped (didn't help me out but the thought was nice) after a lot of late night googling I got a fix to my problem and hope this helps people out in the future.
Summary of problem:
- Flash drive usb 2.0 doesn't respond. Windows XP will recognize device and install it just fine but does not show up in My Computers.
- Windows XP does not assign USB device a drive letter
- When manually assigning a letter throguh Control Panel -> Admin. Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Manager, no letter is initially attched to device.
- After assigning a letter, right-click on the flash drive and click open it does nto work but a second attempt it does.
- Still does not show up in My Computers
- USB ports all work fine
- Drivers are all up to date
- Works on all other computers, had warranty replacement and still no good
Solution 1: Drive Letter assigning
First off, it usually is a drive letter problem. Sometimes with a mapped network, or some other related reasons when you plug in your usb flash drive it attempts to use a drive letter already being used.
Go to Control Panel -> Admin. Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Manager. In the right pane you should see your flash drive. Right click on it and go to Change drive letter. Pick your letter like Z: and change it.
Solution 2: Windows XP has drive letters disabled
Probably pretty rare but easily fixable if the case. Not sure where I found the link but the file is: TweakUIPowertoy.exe, google it and you might find it. It's a tool from Microsoft that enables you to make various tweaks to XP. Install program and open it up. There go to My Computer in the left pane, Drives. You should see a list of letters available. If any letters are unchecked, check 'em. That's it.
Solution 3: The one that worked for me!!!
I had Daemon tools installed. Not sure what version I had but after much googled searches I found one regardin daemon tools. Something to do with the virtual drives I believe (just a guess) and usually with Daemon Tools version 4 (DT4). Uninstall Daemon Tools. You'll have to restart. Then search for these 3 files:
- sptd7021.sys (didn't find this one for me but you may find it)
Those are 3 drivers from daemon tools leftover after uninstallation. Delete them (backup if you wish) and restart.
Voila!
Conclusion:
Life makes sense again. I avoided a possible format and everything in life is good again. *PHEW* Hoep this helps someone!