Fix USB Device Not Recognized Error

Fix USB Device Not Recognized Error

By   13:45   No comments:

When you use USB devices in Windows, Windows will load and install a device driver to communicate with the new USB device. A lot of standard USB device drivers are included with Windows XP, even more in Vista, Windows 7 and 8. But if the USB device is not supported by Windows, you will see a USB device not recognized error like the one below.

You can try unplugging the USB device, waiting a few seconds and plugging it back, but chances are the error will remain.

Another error message that is common is the message Unrecognized device has been found.

When you open the Windows Device Manager from the Control Panel, you will generally see the USB device under the Other devices or Unknown devices category.

In case of an external hard disk, you may also get the error:

One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it.

Also keep in mind that if you don’t have the right USB drivers for your device, Windows might be using a default, compatible driver, which restricts the performance or limits the features of your USB device. This is particularly true for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.

How to fix a USB device not recognized error.

Considering the fact that in most cases the USB device driver is missing in Windows, the common solution to fixing the USB device not recognized error is to install the driver for the USB device. In most cases new USB devices come with a driver CD which contains the USB driver that needs to be installed. If you do not have a driver CD, you can try to find and download the USB device driver on the manufacturer’s website.

In case you really can not find the device driver for the USB device, you can use a driver finder program. Such a program will find and download device drivers on your PC based on the hardware that it automatically identifies. Even if your USB device is not plugged anymore, the application will be able to find and download a USB driver for it.

When you do have a driver CD, it’s still smart to use a driver update program to get an updated driver for your USB device. Drivers on CDs are quite often outdated and updated drivers can solve problems, improve performance and add features.

A second benefit to a driver finder program is that it can update all outdated drivers on your system. This means that the system or chipset drivers will also be updated, including the USB chipset drivers on your motherboard. This could also solve the USB device not recognized error, whether it is a USB 2.0 port or USB 3.0 port.

Other methods to repair the USB device not recognized error

In case the USB driver update does not solve the USB device not recognized error, there are a few other things that you can try to solve the error.

• If your USB device is using a separate USB cable, try changing the cable to make sure the USB cable is not defective. For external hard disks that are not recognized, a shorter USB cable can sometimes help as the power voltage can be a problem in those cases.
• If you are getting a USB not recognized error when you are trying to connect a mobile phone or MP3 player, check the configuration options on the device itself. The settings often allow the device to be configured as a Mass Storage Device, which can solve the problem.
• Check the BIOS of your computer to make sure the USB ports are configured properly. Most new USB devices work best with the USB 2.0 configuration, but in some cases you might need to change the USB to “legacy” support, which means version 1.1.
• Disable the power management of USB hubs on your computer. This can sometimes help with certain USB devices, especially if the problem happens with power state changes (resume from hibernation for example).
• In the Device Manager, right-click the Universal Serial Bus controllersdevice and select Uninstall in the popup menu. Now reboot and Windows will reinstall the device.
• In case you are using a USB hub, try plugging the USB device directly into the computer instead of in the USB hub. USB hubs often cause compatibility problems with certain USB devices. The cause can be the USB version compatibility or a USB power limitation.
• Try shutting down the computer altogether and unplug it from the power supply. Wait for a few minutes before plugging it back again and starting it. In case you are using a laptop, also unplug the laptop battery in this step.
• Delete the related registry key under “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB” from the Windows registry. Each USB device has an entry there starting with “VID_”. Find the related entry to your USB device and then delete it. Make sure you make a backup of the registry before deleting anything!
  Restart Windows and then try plugging the USB device again.
•  
• Specifically for Windows XP, there is another possible solution that is related to the Windows Registry. This pertains to removing the UpperFilters and LowerFilters registry values. Microsoft has aknowledge base article on how to do this.
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Further useful programs to deal with USB problems are USBDeview, which is a freeware utility to view USB devices, and USB View from Microsoft. They show a lot more about your USB devices than the Device Manager does, so they can be helpful to pinpoint problematic USB devices. The USB View program from Microsoft has the advantage that it shows the hierarchy, so you can see which device is connected to which USB Controller and USB Hub. But the program is part of the Microsoft development tools, so unless you can find a reliable individual download, you need to install complete development environment.

 

Most USB device not recognized errors can be solved with one of the above solutions. If you have any other solutions, or a USB problem that did not get solved using these tips, please leave a comment and I’ll get right on it!

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Software to Block or Restrict USB Access in Windows (bench3)

Software to Block or Restrict USB Access in Windows (bench3)

By   22:10   No comments:

Many times we want to restrict users from using USB drives in our systems. Suppose you have some important data and a friend comes and takes the data in his USB drive. We have developed a free software that will make this process a easy one for you and your organization. This Software will help you to completely disable the use of USB drives in system or you can make the users to use the USB as Read Only, thus they are not allowed to copy your important data through USB but they can use the drive to transfer music and pictures from a digital camera or Mobile Devices.

After applying this fix on your computer, users will not be able to use USB drives. Windows will not detect it.

The latest craze in computer storage, the thumb-sized USB drive, is so convenient and small that it’s become a fashionable accessory. The drives come on key fobs and in such novelty designs as Lego bricks or sushi. But to Computer security experts this fashion trend is a disaster in the making.

The below link will take you to the Developer Website from where you can Download The Free USB Block / Restriction (Administration) Software.

Download Free Software to Block or Restrict USB Access in Windows (bench3)

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How To Install Windows 8 Release Preview from a USB Drive

How To Install Windows 8 Release Preview from a USB Drive

By   10:09   No comments:

The quickest way to get Windows 8 installed is to take a blank PC (or empty partition) and install Windows 8 from USB.

And to Install Windows 8 from USB, you will need a Blank partition/hard drive and at least 4 GB USB drive (32 bit/64 bit ISO), 8 GB USB drive (64 bit ISO with developer tools)

Steps involved to install Windows 8 Release Preview from a USB thumb drive:

Step 1: Format your thumb drive and copy the installation files

Step 2: Boot from your thumb drive

Step 3: Install Windows 8

Format Your Thumb Drive and Copy the Installation Files

You’ll need to format your thumb drive and copy over the Windows 8 installation files. There are a few methods to do this. I’ve included the easiest method below (or you can do it manually):

1. Download the Release Preview ISO file

2. Download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

3. Open the tool; browse to the Windows 8 ISO and click Next

4. Click USB Device

5. Select your USB drive and click Begin copying

6. If the USB drive contains data, you’ll have to erase it prior to copying the files. The tool will then copy your files (may take up to one hour depending on hardware, ISO choice)

Boot from Your Thumb Drive

1. Once your thumb drive is ready, plug it in to the PC and turn the power on

2. When your BIOS is loading (if you have a brand-name PC, this is usually when you can see the brand’s logo), press the key that loads the boot options menu (this is usually displayed as an option on the screen and is typically the ESC/F8 key)

3. Arrow down to “Removable Media” / “USB Media” and press Enter

4. Now Windows 8 installation files will load

Install Windows 8:

Just the normal way you do to install your Windows 7 and Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

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How to Install Windows 8 From USB Using Free Software

How to Install Windows 8 From USB Using Free Software

By   22:32   1 comment:

Since, Windows 8 works great on the same hardware that powers Windows 7, By now, you must know that Windows 8 Consumer Preview can be installed either by downloading the ISO file or using the Windows 8 Setup.

The easiest way to convert an ISO file to a DVD in Windows 7 is to use Windows Disc Image Burner. On a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, a third-party program is required to convert an ISO file into installable media—and DVD burning software often includes this capability. One option is the USB/DVD download tool provided by the Microsoft Store.

You can also download Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup, which includes tools that allow you to create a DVD or USB flash drive from an ISO file (Windows Vista or Windows 7 required).

The best thing about the setup is that it includes tools for creating bootable USB flash drives and an ISO file. So, in Windows 8, if you have downloaded the setup file, you won’t need the assistance of third-party software or the Command Prompt method to create bootable Windows 8 USB flash drive.

Windows 8 USB Installer Maker

But if you have downloaded Windows 8 CP in ISO format and prefer not to use the Command Prompt to create the bootable USB, a handy tool (Windows 8 USB Installer Maker) can be used for creating bootable Windows 8 USB flash drives with a few mouse clicks.

This tool makes 3 steps

• 1. Formats your pendrive to NTFS format (REQUIRED)
• 2. Extracts all files to your USB drive (THIS WILL TAKE LONG TIME!!! VERY LONG TIME)
• 3. Writes the USB Boot MBR

Windows 8 USB Installer Maker formats your USB drive in NTFS format, extracts all files from the ISO file to the USB, and then writes the boot MBR on to the USB to make it bootable. As always, you need to have a USB flash drive with 4GB or more disk space to use the drive for this operation.

Please note that the tool should be launched as administrator. To do this, right-click on Windows 8 USB Installer Maker and then click Run as administrator. Don’t forget to backup data from the USB drive before using to make bootable media.

Download Windows 8 USB Installer Maker

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Enable High-speed USB On Your PC| Find If Your PCs USB Ports Are Level 1.1 (slower) or 2.0 (faster)

Enable High-speed USB On Your PC| Find If Your PCs USB Ports Are Level 1.1 (slower) or 2.0 (faster)

By   16:29   No comments:

The USB 2.0 specification was released in April 2000 and was ratified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) at the end of 2001.

Today, USB is enjoying tremendous success in the marketplace, with most peripheral vendors around the globe developing products to USB 2.0 specification. All new PCs come with one or more USB ports on the box. In fact, USB has become a key enabler of the Easy PC Initiative, an industry initiative led by Intel and Microsoft to make PCs easier to use.

Although most USB devices can connect to your computer with a USB 1.1 or 2.0 port, you won't see optimal performance without the hi-speed 2.0 connection with few latest devices or for storage needs.

You can check which levels of USB ports your Windows computer offers, and you can verify that your hi-speed USB 2.0 ports are enabled.

Checking USB Port Levels

• On your host computer, right-click the My Computer icon and select Manage.

Sometimes you may need to click Start to access the My Computer icon.

• Click the Device Manager icon.
• Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers entry.

If Universal Serial Bus Controllers is not listed, there is a problem with the USB controller or the USB controller is not enabled in the computer's BIOS. Please contact the computer or card manufacturer for updated drivers and/or for information on how to fix or enable the USB controller.

• Examine the expanded entries under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. (Manufacturer names are usually listed in front of each listed controller or root hub. The controller or root hub names indicate their type and USB level.)
• If you see names that include text such as "Enhanced Host Controller" or "USB 2.0 Root Hub Device," then the computer has USB 2.0 ports.
• If the names include text such as Universal Host Controller," "Open Host Controller," or "USB Root Hub (Device),", then the computer has USB 1.1 ports.

Verifying Hi-Speed USB Ports Are Enabled

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports run at speeds up to 480Mbps. USB 1.1 ports run at either full-speed 12Mb/s or low-speed 1.5Mb/s. If you use Windows XP and try to plug a device designed for use with Hi-Speed USB into a regular USB (1.1) port or hub, you'll see an error message similar to the ones listed below:

• The Generic USB Hub is a HI-SPEED USB device and will function at reduced speed when plugged into a non-HI-SPEED port.
• HI-SPEED USB Device Plugged into non-HI-SPEED USB Hub. A HI-SPEED USB device is plugged into a non-HI-SPEED USB hub.

This can be an unpleasant surprise if you thought you had Hi-Speed USB ports available. Unlike USB 1.1 ports, Hi-Speed USB ports sometimes require some effort to configure in both BIOS and the port's driver.

If your system uses an Intel chipset that provides Hi-Speed USB ports, you need to enable the High-Speed USB support option in the USB Configuration submenu to receive Hi-Speed USB 2.0 performance.

Follow This Steps To enable USB 2.0  (Reference: Intel Mother Boards) :

• Reboot (or power on) system.
• Press F2 during POST (Power-on Self Test) to enter system BIOS setup program. (Sometimes, you may require to enter a different key or combination of keys to enter the BIOS Setup Menu, watch the post boot screen for the right key to enter BIOS Setup.)
• Select ADVANCED menu using arrow (left and right) keys.
• Select USB Configuration and press <enter>.
• Enable High-speed USB.
• Press F10 to Save & Exit BIOS setup program. (Hi-Speed USB 2.0 controllers are now enabled and your operating system should detect New Hardware during the next normal boot cycle and you will be able to work at High-Speed.

Note: USB 3.0 specification was published on 12 November 2008. Its main goals were to increase the data transfer rate (up to 5 Gbit/s), to decrease power consumption, to increase power output, and to be backwards-compatible with USB 2.0. USB 3.0 includes a new, higher speed bus called SuperSpeed in parallel with the USB 2.0 bus. For this reason, the new version is also called SuperSpeed. The first USB 3.0 equipped devices were presented in January 2010.

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Drive Not Appearing In Windows Explorer | How To Fix

Drive Not Appearing In Windows Explorer | How To Fix

By   14:48   No comments:

In some situation, when plugging in any external USB hard drive or USB flash drives on your PC, will not be displayed (No drive letter will be assigned or displayed to your disk drive even after connecting to the USB Port) in the My Computer or Windows Explorer.

Drive letter assignment is the process of assigning alphabetical identifiers to physical or logical disk drives or partitions (drive volumes) in the root file system namespace; this usage is now mostly found in Microsoft operating systems.

When looking for attached hard drives, USB flash drives or CD and DVD drives using Windows Explorer, you may notice that some drives are not seen in Windows Explorer or the drive may disappear after a short time or when Windows resumes from Sleep or Hibernation.

This issue can be caused by any of the following issues:

• Your drive does not have a drive letter assigned to it in Disk Management
• The drive may be disabled or offline
• Your USB driver may be corrupted
• Corrupted registry keys may be causing issues with connecting toyour CD or DVD drive

To resolve the issue follow the steps below:

Method 1: Make sure that the drive has a drive letter assigned in Disk Management:

This method applies to Disk Drives, USB flash drives or CD and DVD drives.

If your hard drive, thumbnail drive, memory stick, or flash memory is recognized in Disk Management but not displayed in Windows Explorer, the drive may not have been assigned a drive letter by Windows.

• Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, and click System and Security.
• Click Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management.
• If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
• Look for a drive that does not have an assigned drive letter and is not labeled as System Reserved.

The System Reserved drive is reserved by Windows.

• Right-click the unlabelled drive and click Change drive letter and paths…
• Click Add and then click OK to select the first available drive letter.
• If the Change drive letter and paths… option is not available, make sure that the drive is Online.
• If the drive is Offline, right-click the disk number and click Online.

For more information on Adding, changing or removing drive letters for Windows 7, click the link below to see the article on the Microsoft website:

Change, add, or remove a drive letter

For more information on Adding, changing or removing drive letters for Windows Vista, click the link below to see the article on the Microsoft website:

Change, add, or remove a drive letter

Method 2: Make sure that the disk drive is Enabled : This method applies to Disk Drives, and USB flash drives

If the drive has been Disabled the disk will not be visible in Windows Explorer. To see if the disk is Disabled, follow the steps below to Enable it:

For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users:

• Click Start and type Device Manager in the Search box
• Click Device Manager in the Control Panel list
• Locate the Disk drives item in the list and click the small arrow to the right to expand the list of drives
• If a disk drive is disabled you will see an icon with an arrow pointing down over the icon of the disk drive
• If you see an icon with an arrow pointing down over the icon of the disk drive, double-click the icon and click the Enable Device button

• Click Next on the Enabling a device dialog box, click Next, and then click Finish
• Click Close and then close the Device Manager window

If you don't see your disk drive in the listed drives, the drive may not have been detected by Windows.

If you receive an error message when Enabling the disk drive, you may have a defective disk drive.

For Windows XP Users:

• Click Start then right click My Computer and click Properties
• Click the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager
• Locate the Disk drives item in the list and click the small arrow to the right to expand the list of drives
• If a disk drive is disabled you will see a red X over the icon of the disk drive
• If you see an icon with a red X over the icon of the disk drive, double-click the icon and click the Enable Device button
• Click Next on the Enabling a device dialog box, and then click Finish
• Click Close and then close the Device Manager window

If you don't see your disk drive in the listed drives, the drive may not have been detected by Windows.

If you receive an error message when Enabling the disk drive, you may have a defective disk drive.

Method 3: Make sure that the drive is Online: This method applies to Disk Drives

If the drive is currently Offline, the disk will not be visible in Windows Explorer. To check the current status of your disks, follow the steps below:

• Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, and click System and Security.
• Click Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
• Look for a drive that does not have an assigned drive letter and that is not labeled as System Reserved.

The System Reserved drive is reserved by Windows.

• Right-click the drive and click Change drive letter and paths…Click Add and then click OK to select the first available drive letter.
• If the Change drive letter and paths… option is not available, make sure that the drive is Online.
• If the drive is Offline, right-click the disk number and click Online.

Method 4: Your USB drive may be corrupted. This method applies to Disk Drives, hard drives, USB flash drives or CD and DVD drives.

Your USB disk may be corrupted, to check for a corrupted disk, plug the disk into another computer to see if the disk is seen in Windows Explorer on that computer. Make sure that you have the driver installed.

If the device is still not seen in Windows Explorer on the alternate computer, the disk may be corrupted. Some hardware manufacturers do offer hardware testing software that may help to access and detect test for issues on their hardware. Visit the hardware manufacturers website and search for any helpful testing software.

Method 5: Corrupted registry keys may be causing issues with connecting to your CD or DVD drive. This method applies to CD and DVD drives

Corrupted registry keys may be causing your CD or DVD drive not to be seen by Windows. An automated Fix it is available to resolve this issue.

To run this Fix it, follow the steps listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 982116 Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs.

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