USB Problems solved... FOR ALL USB Problems

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Hi all,

I hope this is helpful to all...

After a fresh install of WinXP, including SP2, I lost all USB Plug and Play
(PnP) hardware. Mainly the disk drives that I use.

To cure this problem I had to do a couple of things...

1. Check the "C:\windows\inf" folder. This folder is hidden, so you need to
allow the viewing of hidden files. (Go to "tools > Options > View" in 'My
Computer') Look for the files "usbstor.inf" and "usbstor.pnf" if those files
are missing then you wont find USB stuff.

2. If the files are missing then get them from somewhere. Another PC running
XP etc, or your XP install disc. (Both files in I386 folder, but the .inf one
needs restoring from it, and the PNF get from "Driver.cab" )

3. When the device is found and if XP asks for a driver, select that you
want the drivers from a specific location and use "C:\windows\inf" it will
take a while, but it seems SP2 makes XP lose the position of the required
drivers for USB mass storage devices.

Hope this helps someone else out there!