USB problems

[Mustang]

Can anyone of you technical gurus recommend a website for workingout what is wrong with USB ports?

My wife's laptop has some USB problems. She cant seem to use a flashdrive on it. The USB port runs a mouse OK and when she plugs the flash drive in it recognises it is there but when she opens windows explorer it isn't visible!

Any suggestions or recommendations?!

[AtW]

Windows is the common reason for that - try another USB port that was not used before by mouse, the damn OS seems to remember last device there and half expects it to be the same when it is inserted again. I've got similiar problems on my PC but if I use another port it seems to work.

Another alternative is to try to use USB hub to which you will try to connect USB stick.

[Spacecadet]

second that with windows persisting devices on a certain USB hub
Annoys the heck out me

[daviejones]

This is a common prob I recall.....wish I could recall the fix though!

Wasn't it something to do with removeable media service???

[Platypus]

I recall that Vista is particularly fussy when it comes to USB sticks - the solution (I understand) is to use a supported stick.

[scooterscot]

Well I hav ean answer - but you're not going to like it

[PAH]

If it's a work laptop it may have security set up to not allow access to flash/usb drives.

Had it on my PC at work, but they gave us enough permissions to be able to switch it off.

[Addanc]

Solution Linux

[Netraider]

Solution Linux

What!! - Not Solution Mac

[Goldenboy]

Have you looked at changing the drive letter in disk management?