19 replies to this topic

[Scribbler]

From my main PC i placed important files on a usb memory stick. I did this so I could plug it into my laptop to work on the files while I'm in bed.

I have this intermittent problem of the memory stick not showing, so I cant access my files; another time it works ok.

Any of you tech members have the answer?

Scribbs......

[dangerousdave]

The answer to all my tech problems Scribbs
Is the nearest Bin

[jenny407]

Scribbs, I'm not sure I understand what exactly is your problem.

Do you mean the stick doesn't show automatically when you plug it in?
Then you can just go to the files and open it.

Do you mean it doesn't show in the files?
Have you tried taking it out and sticking it in again?
Do you have several different USB ports (word?) on your laptop?
I find on mine, sometimes one port suddenly stops working temporarily (the mouse stops working) and I have to plug it into another port.


Or try a different USB stick? I have one that doesn't work ok.

(So - sorry, this was very lay. Just what I notice sometimes. I'm very sure the real tech members will know a better answer.)

Anyway - good luck!



<---- DD's advice is not to be followed.

[airart1]

usb is a pain in the butt, sometimes my big drives will show up, sometimes not, most the time its a drive letter conflict, i assume its not showing up in "my computer" at all, they do have a lock on them, some of the older ones, all u can do is just keep plugging it in and out to see if u can get it to recognize it, if it shows in "my computer", then right click and go to properties and see if u can get it to populate........usb is so finicky, i never just hot swap them anymore, they'll corrupt in a minute...........u can also go to the control panel and see if it shows the device in the usb ports.....sorry not alot u can do but try to find it or make it recognize it, and of course switch it around to all the ports, some of the older computers run 1.1. ports and some run 2.0 ports, shouldn't make a difference but u never know..sorry I'm not much help, scribbs....

[Apparelyzed]

I've had problems in the past with memory sticks, sometimes they just give out.

I now only use them as a backup, always keeping a copy on my main computer.

If the stick gives out, all your work could be lost.

Have you run a disk tools utility, check both your hard drive and the integrity of the stick.

Sometimes it can be a driver issue, so check the manufactures website for the latest drivers etc.

Don't know if the above helps, but good luck!

Simon

[greybeard]

I've had a few die on me so I would never use one as a backup. For that I use an external hard drive. It sounds like your USB stick is failling, Mike.

You don't say whether the stick still works on your desktop box. I assume you still have the original files on that machine. Could you write them to a CD and transfer them that way, or maybe try a different USB stick.

An alternate way of working would be to network the two machines if you have a wireless router. I can't help with that as I can never get one to work here. But that is mainly because I'm using Linux and the wife insists on Windows for her laptop. She's a strange woman!!!

Edited by greybeard, 28 June 2011 - 07:10 PM.

[Illinois Boy]

Try opening My Computer then insert the stick, it should show up as the next available drive letter....

Some sticks have built-in drivers, Windows 98 and below hardly ever recognize one....

Good luck,

Jim

[andycm]

In Micro$oft Win-doze, it can be just a dodgy USB device. Or Win-doze having an off day. There are ways of editing the lists of drive letters assigned to different USB devices, to do a clean-up, but they involve hacking into the registry, where mere mortals are not recommended to enter, according to Micro$oft. In an old life, I was an IT tech manager, so could give you a lesson if you really want to, but no guarantee this is the solution to your problem.

greybeard, on 28 June 2011 - 04:06 PM, said:

But that is mainly because I'm using Linux

Me too - never get any problems with USB stuff, other than the odd thing where they've only got Win-doze drivers. Just use Win-doze occasionally for accessing some odd software, or at work.

[Scribbler]

Thans for your feed back.

This memory stick works on my main PC. I never save data to my PC, I use an external hard drive.

I've tried every port on my Laptop but the memory stick doesn't show. I've clicked My Computer but nothing.

The green light flashes on the stick, and I know its somewhere on my system, but where!

I need access to these files as its how I pay my PA's, with spread sheets; the lot. Its fine normally, but now I'm in bed I have to use this Laptop.

The few times I got it working was to insert the stick just before my Laptop finished booting up. I then see a small option screen, similar to when I plug in my camera to download photos.

Mya has just returned, so the Dream Team will crack this, plus any advice you might have. I'll go on their website later. Thanks.

[airart1]

so it works on your main pc, then pull your info off your stick if you need too while its plugged into it, then r-click on the drive in my computer and reformat the stick, then put info back on it and try again in your laptop............worth a shot....unless your having usb problems on mb of laptop......has everything else u plugged into the laptop usb ports worked?

sounds like the stick has got corrupted some how...........i've had one do that before.......

Edited by airart1, 29 June 2011 - 01:40 PM.

[jenny407]

Mike, I personally have got a very small external hard drive which I could attach to any netbook / laptop. Can't you do that and forget the 'difficult' stick?

On the other hand, it sounds a bit as if you really just have to find it on your laptop - using the folder 'my computer' perhaps?

Good luck!

[Illinois Boy]

If you must re-format the stick, use fat or fat 32......

Jim

[Scribbler]

I've given up on memory sticks as another wouldn't work properly. They were new and had drivers in them. I came to the conclusion I should have downloaded the drivers on both PC and Laptop before adding any Data, maybe it would have worked.

I decided to use a CD which is working well. Its only a stop gap until I'm back to full strength, but it allows me to catch up on my accounts then, when I get up, I simply download the Data onto my external hard drive.

Thanks for you help.

Scribb's

[airart1]

use a re-write and just add to the disk as you need.....scribbs.......

[Wheelsonfire]

Memory sticks, most if not all are configured to the fat 32 format for compatability.
Some newer crap can be configured to the NTFS platform but this is still compatable with operating systems from XP onwards.

Older operating systems(that above fat 16),'98, that of fat 32, XP can be configured to fat 32 also but most are configured to the NTFS system, Vista(all variants) Windoze 7, NTFS also, will see the fat 32 to which the stick will be configured to.
There is never a need for a driver, unless the stick has built in software for security etc

If the drive is not viisible via my computer, do the following;

XP..... Right click on My computer, via start, my computer will be on the right of the dialog box.
Go to properties, then the hardware tab, then device manager, from there, scroll down to Universal Serial Bus Controllers, click the + to the left, look for the device, you may need to update the main hub.
Vista and windoze 7.... click the windoze logo, then in the search, type device, at the top of the dialog box, you will see Device manager, click that, again, scroll down and follow the steps to update the USB controllers.

Any hassle Mike, drop me a line with screen shots and we'll get it sorted.

Regards

oops, me forgot, to update the controllers/hubs, right click on the controller and choose update driver

Edited by Wheelsonfire, 03 July 2011 - 12:14 AM.

[airart1]

i think thats what i said.....were right

[Denny]

To all those saving files on Memory sticks/external disks. If you need to secure data you can download True Crypt Open source. It allows you to encypt disk or create an encrypted file that can be mapped (password protected) to drive letter. Very easy to use, once mounted you can use the storage area just like anoter drive.

Another useful programe is Keepass portable, encrypted password store, and application itself can be stored with in Tru Crypt package for increased security.

[Wheelsonfire]

WOF, BE GOOD FFS AND STOP PRESSING....

Edited by Wheelsonfire, 05 July 2011 - 10:34 PM.

[snodrog742]

Make sure you always safely eject it as well... can't believe no one mentioned that!

[airart1]

i did, but u are suppose to be able to hot swap also.........