Hello,
I have two USB keys from Dell. Both were getting detected by XP Pro properly as Dell keys. Now I'm having trouble with one - it gets detected, but no longer identified as a Dell key. I've tried on numerous computers, with consistent results. I get the message "Found New Hardware - Your hardware is installed and ready to use", and a few seconds later, the dreaded message "USB Device Not Recognized - One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."
I've tried various file recovery programs, but since Windows does not recognize it, none of the recovery programs to date can even see that drive (yes, I would like to see or recover the files on that drive if possible, although not of huge importance - I just don't give up easily on trying to fix things!).
Based on my limited understanding fromthis experience on how USB keys appear to work, I'm guessing (and hoping) that the hardware is ok (the light goes on, and it is being detected by Windows to a certain degree), and that if I can just rewrite the USB key identifier code (firmware?) (I'm assuming that's what Windows is looking for) I might be okay (without touching the file allocation table if possible).
I've forced software updates to replace corrupted software on a router before (different situation though, I know), I'm assuming that can be done for USB keys too, but I haven't found the solution yet.
If I remember correctly, back in the days of the floppies, you could make one bootable by copying system files over to it using a "sys" command at the DOS prompt...anything simliar for USB keys?
Jimmy
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Try cleaning USB's contacts with cotton bud/tip & a drop of (alcohol) cleaning fluid .
cotton bud/tip = the cotton ear cleaning sticks.
They have various names in other countries.
It could be whats called "weak contacts" in this case it will never be reliable, but may connect after multiple tries.
If you have recovered or have a copy of the data then try a reformat & test its reliability with spare data.
try these, if you didn't yet :
http://www.handyrecovery.c
http://drivers.softpedia.c
http://www.snapfiles.com/d
also, a very good tool for usb handling : http://safelyremove.com/?p
That was an easy fix! Downloaded Ubuntu, burnt it to CD and booted from it. Stuck in my USB key that XP Pro refused to recognize, and Ubuntu had no problems loading it and copying the files from it. Out of curiousity, I tried it on my XP system immediately after (without formatting or doing anything else, mind you), AND SURPIRISINGLY, XP was now able to see it fine! Ubuntu fixed my USB key. I don't know how, but it made it visible to XP once again.
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by: Eric_GennaouiPosted on 2009-09-19 at 15:00:58ID: 25374901
Hi Jimmy,
I am not familiar with the 'USB key identification code', but if you want to recover the datas on it, you can always try booting your computer of of a 'Live Linux CD' such as Ubuntu or Mint (without any changes to your computer), plug your USB keys and see whats happen. If they are detected and there no hardware issues, you should then be able to access them and copy files over the network or to another USB. You can then try to reformat it to see if the problem still reoccurs.
Hope this help
Eric