USB/Memory Stick/CD drive problems

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

(Also posted on XP General)
I've read the other threads on usb problems and none have helped. Here's my
problem:
1. When I insert the memory stick, I can see Removable Disk (F) recognized in
windows explorer. When I try to open it, I get the "insert disk into drive F"
message and nothing happens.
2. In device manager, I can see the iomega mini usb device listed under
disk drives and its properties says everything is ok. The mini also appears
under USB controllers as a USB Mass Storage Device.
3. This type of problem has also happened from time to time with my D (CD
drive) and E (DVD RW) drives.
4. Restarting the computer with the iomega mini in the usb port solves the
problem but when I remove it and re-insert it, the problem starts again.
When the problem exists with the cd drives, restarting the computer with a
cd in the D drive also lets me see the contents of the cd.

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

R. C.,
Unfortunately, diskmgmt didn't help. Running the program showed that the
memory stick was recognized but when I right clicked on F and tried to open
it, I rec'd the same message as before - insert disk into drive F. I'm still
unable to see the data on the stick unless I reboot while it's in the usb
slot.

The drive letter F was already assigned to the device.

I'm really at a loss as to what's causing this.


"R. C. White" wrote:

> Hi, CDMax.
>
> Have you checked out Disk Management? One way to get there is Start | Run,
> type: diskmgmt.msc
>
> In Disk Management, you can specifically assign a "drive" letter to your
> Removable Disk so that it will always be seen as F:. If you don't do this,
> the letter will "float", depending on what devices and volumes may be
> connected each time you reboot.
>
> In Disk Management, right-click on that "drive", then choose Properties and
> the Policies tab. Here you can choose between Optimize for quick removal
> and Optimize for performance.
>
> One more thing you might want to look at is the settings in Customize
> Notifications... (right-click on the clock). Your Safely remove hardware
> icon may be set to Hide when inactive. This is perfectly OK, unless you
> don't realize what is happening when it disappears from the SysTray, in
> which case it can be a bit disconcerting.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
> rc@corridor.net
> Microsoft Windows MVP
>