USB Flash Drive detected but not shown in Windows Explorer

Hello jasonchg =)

y don;t u try to uninstall ur flash usb drive completely form the system, and then install it again. means plugin ur usb drive, then uninstall any software if istalled for this drive, after that goto Device Manager, right click ur usb drive, click uninstall, now unplug the drive, reboot the system, after windows start, plugin the drive again, XP will detect a new usb hardware and will install the drivers or will prompt to insert the installaiton disk or cd u got with the drive, insert it and install the drivers. reboot again. this time it should come in the Explorer or My Computer =)

GOOD LUCK !!

jvuz, I have tried closing and reopen the Windows Explorer. I also tried pressing F5 to refresh. It still didn't show up.

SheharyaarSaahil, I didn't install any software comes with the USB Flash Disk. I went to the Device Manager and remove the USB Mass Storage (I thought this is similar to uninstalling the driver). Unplug the USB drive and reboot the system. After Windows start, I plug in the drive again, Win ME detected the new usb hardware and install the driver. I select the automatically search for driver and Win ME manage to search a driver from my hard disk. After installation, reboot the system, still didn't show in the Explorer. Check the Device Manager and USB Mass Storage is detected and no error.

After a few attempts to uninstall and reinstall, I notice that when I plug in the USB drive, the USB device icon is not shown on the notification area any more. It seems like it didn't recognize this USB drive.
However I verified that the USB drive is still working on another computer. I also verified that my Notebook USB port is still working using USB mouse and USB printer.

Is there anything I can do, removing the drivers or edit the registry?

How long ago did the problem start?  It may be corrupted files...if all else fails try running the System Restore in ME (Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Restore).  It won't erase your files, but it will reset many Windows settings back to the date you choose (make sure you choose a date that you know it was working correctly).  You may also be able to reinstall WinME over your current installation by running "setup.exe" in your options/cabs folder, just make sure your WinME key sticker is intact underneath your notebook, since you will need to enter it.  Of course, doing a full factory restore should fix all, but you will lose any information you haven't backed up (definitely the last resort).

Good luck,
adler77

SheharyaarSaahil, you are right. Kodak Easyshare software is giving me this problem. After uninstalling the software, my USB drive is working.
Thanks!

I have been having a very similar problem.  I plug in ANY diogital camera, Windows XP detects it as  mass storage device, but NOTHING shows up in Explorer.  I look into the Device manager, and all is fine...camera detected properly.

It turns out....that I had drive letters A thru F asigned to local resources.  My first NETWORK drive started at G. As luck would have it, the G Mapped drive no longer existed, but was still viewed as "Accounting on server-name"..When I clicked on it, Violia!  there was my PC Camera. WinDOZE took the G mapping as it wasnt used, and didnt BOTHER to let me know :-)  ( Idid repeatedly press refresh..tothe point, my F5 key needs replacing!)

SO, I guess the moral of the story is, MAKE SURE you have a Drive letter avaialble before the list of network mappings.

Steve

I'm experiencing teh same problems and have noticed that even though my USB flash-drive doesn't show up in Windows Explorer (XP Pro, SP2), it is active and you can use it.

I also noticed that it does show with the allocated drive letter under the Control Panel, option Portable Media Devices in Explore.  There is just somethin weird going on in Explorer (then again, it's still Microsoft).

I will try to find some more, in the mean time this might help someone else finding the exact issue.

Peter