USB Drive not displayed in My Computer

[Michael]

Recently when I plug in the USB drive (any brand), Windows XP would recognise it and install the proper drivers until it is "ready to use".
But when I go to my computer (or explorer), the Removable Disk(s) is/are not there.

[patio]

Turn off the machine.
Plug in the USB drive and re-boot.
Right clik on My Computer and select "manage".
Does the USB disk show up there ? ?
You neglected to mention if this is a USB thumbdrive or an external USB HDD.
Is the drive formatted ? ?
If not Windows will not recognise it.
This is one example of why we ask for more info before we attempt to troubleshoot...

[Michael]

It is a thumb drive (I thought that would be clear by "USB Drive" otherwise "External HDD", never seen anyone called an Ext HDD as USB Drive).

It is formatted and working fine with my own computer at home.
The problem is with my computer in my office.

Anyway, the thumb drive is not with me now. Will try your suggestion on Monday.
Thanks.

[patio]

I'd like to say i've never seen anyone call an external HDD a "USB drive" as well...

However i spend way too much time here and i've seen it all....

Let us know how you get on...

[Michael]

Turn off the machine.
Plug in the USB drive and re-boot.
Right clik on My Computer and select "manage".
Does the USB disk show up there ? ?

It is shown under Storage->Removable Storage->Media but not in My Computer.

[patio]

I know you answered this but are you sure it's formatted ? ?

patio.   8-)

[soybean]

It is shown under Storage->Removable Storage->Media but not in My Computer.

Where is "Storage->Removable Storage->Media"?  How do you get to that screen?

[Raptor]

It may need to be assigned a station letter.

[patio]

It is shown under Storage->Removable Storage->Media but not in My Computer.

Where is "Storage->Removable Storage->Media"?  How do you get to that screen?

Right clik on My Computer/select Manage and it's on the left side...

[soybean]

OK, thanks.  Of course, if it shows up there, it should also be in My Computer under Devices with Removable Storage, right?  If I connect my USB flash drive, it immediately shows up in both places.  And, I never assigned a letter to it.  Windows took care of that.

[soybean]

It is formatted and working fine with my own computer at home.
The problem is with my computer in my office.

Has that particular flash drive ever worked with the computer in your office?  Does the flash drive require USB 2.0?  Do you know for sure that the port you're trying to use on the office computer is USB 2.0?

[Michael]

The computer in my office is a Dell Dimension 3000 so it's definitely a USB2.0.
The same thumb drive used to work with the same computer before this happened.
The issue happened after a few weeks since I last used the thumb drive on the computer.
And the same thumb drive is working fine on any other computer.
The thumb drive is a Kingston Data Traveler 1GB.

[soybean]

Are you currently using other USB 2.0 devices on that computer?  Do you have any other USB devices you can try on the same USB port that's giving you this problem, as a troubleshooting step to verify the port is working OK?  

If you open Device Manager and scroll down to Universal Serial Bus controllers, do you see an item called USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller?

[patio]

The computer in my office is a Dell Dimension 3000 so it's definitely a USB2.0.
The same thumb drive used to work with the same computer before this happened.
The issue happened after a few weeks since I last used the thumb drive on the computer.
And the same thumb drive is working fine on any other computer.
The thumb drive is a Kingston Data Traveler 1GB.

Try formatting it on a machine that it works on...
Then copy a few small files to it...
Now see if it is recognised in your machine...

patio.    8-)

[Michael]

Are you currently using other USB 2.0 devices on that computer?  Do you have any other USB devices you can try on the same USB port that's giving you this problem, as a troubleshooting step to verify the port is working OK?

 
I have tried with a card reader which suppose to have 4 removable drives shown in My Computer, but it only shows 2 of them.
I tried with a digital camera (direct connection) and it happens the same like the thumb drive - detected but not shown in My Computer.
The same situation happens to all other USB ports on the machine.

If you open Device Manager and scroll down to Universal Serial Bus controllers, do you see an item called USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller?

Yes. Please refer the picture below:

Try formatting it on a machine that it works on...
Then copy a few small files to it...
Now see if it is recognised in your machine...

I formatted it to FAT with my computer at home (which it works fine), but the issue remains the same with my computer in my office - detected, not shown in My Computer.