Transfers to external usb devices crash after a few files

klear6

Honorable
Aug 24, 2015
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I am having an extremely serious and irritating problem - please help if you can. I am having trouble moving data to external sources via USB. It always happens partwaY through a transfer. It gives me messages like the transfer could not be completed, that the device is no longer found, or the files aren't available. Most times when I restart it the transfer gets a bit further than it did the time before, but never by much and when moving large amounts of files it makes transferring my media and data impossible. Sometimes, after the computer is unsuccessful with the transfer the device is no longer recognized by the computer at all. It will call it an unknown device with ? next to it in the device manager. I try to install the drivers automatically but it just tells me I am using the newest drivers but will not register what the device is or allow me to view or transfer files on the device. Usually there is no problem transferring data from a usb connected drive to a different place on the same drive. It happens on both of my systems: An acer aspire one running windows 7, and a compaq presario running windows 10. It happens with all the usb ports (3 on each system). It happens even when I use several other cables to try to connect the device. I seem to be able to copy files from the drives to the computer, but when writing to the drives it gets stuck. It happens with 2 external hard drives, 2 phones, 4 usb drives, a tablet, and sd cards. What is going on here? Please, if anyone has any ideas - I'm stumped. I don't think I could have that many bad cables and usb ports. If there is something wrong with write protection, wouldn't it just not transfer anything at all? I have checked for viruses. I can still play songs and look at pictures from the drives so I know the files aren't completely corrupted. I'm the one everyone in my family comes to when they need their electronics fixed and here I am - unable to solve my own problem (and a big one it is). It might be a driver problem, but if that is true then why do the drivers get uninstalled? Why does it not recognize the device? The weirdest thing is that it happens on both systems.
 
Solution
Hey there, klear6!

This seems very frustrating for you! :( I'd suggest you to test those external devices using their brand-specific diagnostic tools. The transfer could get interrupted due to a device failure. Here's a thread you can refer to for some HDD diagnostic tools for your external drives: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility

I'd also recommend you to re-install the USB hub controller drivers from the laptop manufacturers' websites. You should be able to find your models and reinstall the drivers from there, rather than letting Windows Updates do that for you.
I'd also advise you to do a backup of your files stored in a safe location.

Keep me posted with the troubleshooting. Good...
Hey there, klear6!

This seems very frustrating for you! :( I'd suggest you to test those external devices using their brand-specific diagnostic tools. The transfer could get interrupted due to a device failure. Here's a thread you can refer to for some HDD diagnostic tools for your external drives: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility

I'd also recommend you to re-install the USB hub controller drivers from the laptop manufacturers' websites. You should be able to find your models and reinstall the drivers from there, rather than letting Windows Updates do that for you.
I'd also advise you to do a backup of your files stored in a safe location.

Keep me posted with the troubleshooting. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD
 
Solution