Can't read from a USB Flash Drive (WinXP/SP3)

Have you scanned for a virus or malware.

I had something similar the other day with a camera media card.

Update AV and scan - also download superantispyware update and scan.

AV defs are up to date, no spyware found in scans from SpyBot or MaleWare Bytes.

The flash drive works on other computers with no issues and will work on this one when I attach it to a VM.  I have tried all USB ports on the device as well as a powered USB hub.

VM's normally use basic drivers for all devices.
So try to find an old driver (maybe 2000) for your device and force windows to use it.
Did the device work and stop or just never work.

Also have you tried msconfig and starting the laptop with nothing running, except what is required for usb usage.
Sound silly but i bet the VM did not have this special software irunning on it.

When you removed items from Device Manager, did you show nonpresent devices?

If not, go in with the settings from that article and try removing all greyed-out items under the headings Disk drives, Storage volumes, Storage volume shadow copies, and Universal Serial Bus controllers.  Sometimes this will help.

Go to http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHome?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us
Type your model
Select your OS
Download latest BIOS and install.
More often than not laptop BIOS causes problems. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the ideas!

@dexterhome - the VM I was using was Linux (Ubuntu 8) so I'm sure the way it was working with the device is very different.  I tried booting in to Safe mode and I got the same issue.  I didn't use msconfig.

@Shift-3 - I did show all the hidden devices when I removed the USB root devices.  Also, USBDeview shows all USB devices that have ever been connected and allows you to remove them from within that interface.

@gribulyaka - I have already tried applying the latest BIOS, it did not help.

Good thinking everyone!  Let's keep those suggestions coming in...

did you run a disk scan for errors on it?
Or test your usb stick on another PC, it may be bad

I have run CHKDISK in the machine as part of my weekly boot-time defrag.  No errors.  I have tried many USB flash drives and they all have the same problem, all of them also work on other machines.

Have you tried using the diagnostic startup options - that stops all none essential services.
start menu / run / type - msconfig / diagnostic startup. - restart machine.

then try device.

Tried that, no help.  I can use the same 3 USB flash drives on my NetBook under Windows XP Home or Linux and have no issues, also work on my desktop computer with Vista.  Can mount all three in OS X as well.  I have borrowed other peopls drives and can mount with my NetBook, but not this machine.  I gave my USB drives to others to copy files off of.  I think I have ruled out a bad device.

I tried msconfig / diagnostic startup, but it had no effect.  Anyone know of a program that troubleshoots USB controller issues?  Something like XP TCP/IP repair, but for USB issues?

Thanks!
~Ed

I would say it is more likely to be a windows issues that physical controller hardware.
A hardware failure would show in all OS, not just windows.

The issue is clearly a windows / driver issue.

Is the machine on a domain or is it a works laptop.
It could be a GPO stopping it working.

It is a personal asset, although I do work on it and would use the flash drive to x-fer files from home to work.  No Group Policy being applied here.

I'm going to try to see if I can get a copy of the custom software so I can just reload Windows, but I've been trying for a while now and I'm still getting the run around.  Best option for now is to fix this Windows issue.

You advised that your AV was up to date and spybot did not found anythink.
I had something like this one my machine - only superantispyware found the issue and corrected it.
free download of net - try it.

Also try hijackthis and see if something is sneakily running from the system folder to stop it.

It does sound like a virus or malware.

Here a list of things to try :
first, you can download the latest drivers for the chipset, and reinstall it to update the USB root hubs

start>run>diskmgmt.msc      check if the usb devices show up in disk management, then run :   start>run>services.msc

In the listing look for removable storage service.
If it is set to Auto, and not started, then start it : click the Start link in the top left...

Also, in the device manager, under Universal Serial Bus>right click each root hub, and select Properties>Power Management, and uncheck "Allow Windows to turn off this device to save power".

In c:\windows\inf, look for usbstor.inf    -  If it is not there, you can copy it from another PC..When you find it, right click it and select Install
Remove all USB drivers with:     http://www.ee-stuff.com/Expert/Upload/getFile.php?fid=6853      ---> Now reboot and test.
Delete the "UpperFilters" and "LowerFilters" registry values from:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000}