Windows Vista USB Flash Drive Driver Problem

Hi,

I have a problem with the generic drivers included in Windows Vista on my laptop. When I plug in my SanDisk Micro Cruzer 4GB, it is no longer recognized by Vista. Before, I was able to use readyboost, but not anymore. I have Vista Business. I know the drive is not faulty as when I plug it into my desktop (running Vista Business as well) detects the same flash drive and etc. As well, I plugged in my Memorex 512MB flash drive (pretty generic one with no readyboost support) and that works too. I have a feeling that the drivers on my laptop were installed incorrectly and in my haste, i probably kept clicking the "ok/cancel/no/yes" pop ups. I believe I can point that the drivers installed is on a "per initial connection" installation. If you guys could help me manually revert the driver for the USB flash drive via some method, that would be awesome. The drivers listed are:

C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\disk.sys
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\partmgr.sys

BTW, I restored up to the very first restore point, and the problem is still there, so I think its something I did before I made that restore point. It would be most appreciated.

 

Have you tried plugging it into some other USB port?
Fire up device manager and check if you have any yellow or red icons...

 

I have tried all 4 USB ports on my laptop. All have the same problem. I even get a "not recognized" pop up now. I have tried to run device manager and uninstalling the driver overnight but it has not worked at all, the status bar just keeps scrolling. If I try to restart/shut down, my laptop freezes during the "shutdown" screen.

 

you could try removing the devise from devise manager and rebooting, allowing windows to automatically reinstall the drivers, hoping it doesnt choose your same/current drivers, you can also remove the drivers to another location, forcing windows to prompt you for the drivers. GL

 

When you plug in the stick, does it prompt you to install the driver? If so, tell it you have the disk, and then point the directory to "C:\Windows\System32".

Also, check Device Manager. Are there any unrecognized devices? Try to install a driver for each, using the same method as above.

I couldn't get any USB sticks working with Vista until I did the above.

-Lee

 

There are no "yellow" flags shown in the device manager. It actually displays "SanDisk U3 USB Flash Drive Cruzer Micro" under the link "Disk Drives" but does not show under "My Computer". What driver should I "delete" before it rebuilds it? partmgr.sys or disk.sys?

 

I wouldn't do either. Can you repartition the USB flash drive, and reset it through windows? It detects that it's connected, so that's a good thing.

 

Pitabred, how would you get about doing such a "reset"?

 

Thanks very much "lmychajluk", I used that way and its works!!
I was looking for this answer everywhere, i called microsoft, samsung and the support where i bought my new computer and nobody could help me.

Procedure:
1. plug the usb device
2. when windows ask u the actions to take, u have to use the last one: Don't ask me again..
3. Do point 2. until WVista stop recognize all hardware associated
4. Go to the Device Manager, rigth click the yellow one and select Update driver, then choose from specific path:

this image bellow is in spanish cause i'm in argentina.




I used this method with 3 diferents device, result OK:

Generic USB Card Reader
Samsung YP-1F (MP3 Player)
Kingston TraveLite SD/MMC Reader

Bye

 

Hi all,

Thanks.. the driver got installed. But now I am facing another problem. The flash drive still doesnt show up on My Computer. I researched more and found out that my drive name is not set up. So I did the following:

Right click on My computer. Click on Manage from the pop-up. Then click on Disk Management. Then right click on the removable disk for flash drive and clicked on "change drive letter and paths". But it throws another error message ssaying that the disk management is not up-to-date and i need to refresh or restart my computer. I did both, but it still doesnt work.

I still cant access my flash drive despite installing the driver..


HELPPPPPPPPP!!!! I wish I would have known ... should have opted for XP.

 

Dear Imychajluk,
Thank you for the support. i have followed you steps and has worked for all the Mass storage devises and Flash discs.
I however did same for my SMARTpointer (USB Laser pointed) but very unfortunately, it is not working. Any suggestions please
-Kyei