usb flash drive and camera suddenly not visible

[derrylodge]

I have been using a sony digital camera and a 1GB flash drive for ages without any problems but when I connect them now they don't appear on the computer.
When I plug one into the usb socket I immediately get a small window telling me that new software has been detected and is ready for use. The device manager recognises them and shows all is well and working properly and the device is enabled but where I used to get an icon in my computer showing either the camera or flash as an additional drive I have nothing.
Also my picture software now tells me there is no camera connected when obviously it is.
They both work on my laptop so its not the camera or flash thats the problem.

I have reloaded windows but this has not helped, I am completely stumped as my keyboard and mouse still work from a usb infrared connection and my usb scanner works fine also?

Any help would be gratefully received

[Panda25]

Have you tried all the usb ports on your system?  I had an issue where a person was trying to use their scanner off the front usb ports and it would not work.  They plugged it into the back usb port and it worked perfectly. 

[derrylodge]

thanks for the reply Panda, and yes I have tried all my "6" available slots to no avail.
The annoying thing is that when I do connect the camera via usb there is a little box comes up telling me the exact model of sony camera and that its installed and ready for use..... but it isn't visible anywhere?

[truenorth]

derrylodge,for the digital camera i would try and remove the software and do a reinstall of it.then tell us what happened.as to the flash drive that is a real conundrum as there is no required software and the fact that it is working on the laptop eliminates the flash as a hardware issue.does the flash appear in "my computer" as being there?are you using the flash drive via a hub or directly into a usb computer port?truenorth

[derrylodge]

Hi truenorth and thanks for your input.

I have already done a complete renewal of the sony digital camera software, it made no diffirence at all and as for the flash drive, i agree it is completely baffling as software should not as you correctly point out be an issue as the flash drive connects directly into the computer usb slot AND as with the camera they both showed up in "my computer" until a cpl of weeks ago. I used to simply plug them in, go to my computer and double click on the icon that appeared ie for the camera it had an icon showing it by name (sony dcs) and the flash drive as an "external usb storage device" (or something like that) now they don't show up at all in "my computer" despite everything showing up ok and working correctly in my device manager.

It is really getting to me now, I have no idea why it has suddenly become a problem!!

[WillyW]

I have been using a sony digital camera and a 1GB flash drive for ages without any problems but when I connect them now they don't appear on the computer.   ....

Quite a few times I've read about similar things, here in these forums.

Check out this post.      After you read the initial description of the problem,  note patio's suggestion.   It is reply #5.   
I've seen that suggestion a number of times here,  therefore I suspect it is often a working solution.

I hope that helps.

[truenorth]

derrylodge,Just because unexplainable things can occur with computers--another suggestion--have you verified that your usb functionality is enabled in your BIOS.I have no doubt that at some previous time they were but are they now? truenorth

[derrylodge]

WillyW
Thanks for the link to the possible answer tomy woes, I read your reply late last night (I am in the UK) but decided to give it a go there and then, well the first thing that happened when I was uninstalling was my mouse and keyboard stopped functioning as they are usb connected infra-red type, therfor I couldn't get any further beingn unable to click on anything. I rebooted and guess what, the mouse and keyboard still didn't work so I was unable to do anything more. Off to bed, up at the crack of dawn, drove to my daughters house, woke them out of bed and got my daughters mouse which is the old fashioned plug in connecton, back to my house to complete the uninsatallation of the usb ports as I was determined to give it a go.
Lost the scanner and my modem, both obviously usb connections and on rebooting none of these were automatically reinstalled.
I have now spent all morning getting out old discs with the necessary drivers and software to enable things to work again.
I am now back to where I was with, modem, scanner, mouse and keybord working fine on the usb connections. AND MY CAMERA AND USB FLASH ARE STILL NOT SHOWING ON MY COMPUTER.
I give up, the device manager says all is okay, when I connect my camera and flash drive the little window pops up on the bottom right hand side of the screen telling me they are installed and ready to use!!!!!!!!
But still no damned icons in my computer.

I do appreciate your trying to help, it was worth a try


and truenorth, thanks again and yes my bios is in order, I have switched my mouse and keyboard usb connections to all 6 of my usb inputs and they are all fine. EXCEPT FOR MY FLAMING CAMERA AND FLASH DRIVE!!!!

Apologies for shouting, I am thankful for all suggestions, its just driving me crazy

Derrylodge

[patio]

In My Computer do they show up there when they are plugged in ? ?
If so assign them a drive letter not being used.
Then right click them and select create shortcut. drag these shortcuts to the desktop and now when you plug the devices in just double clik the shortcut you need.

[derrylodge]

No, they no longer show up in "my computer" thats my problem.
They used to but for some reason that i can't explain they stopped appearing. I still get the bubble coming up on the screen telling me that they are connected and ready for use but thats it.

thanks for the reply patio

[patio]

Do they show up in Windows Explorer ? ?

If not right click My Computer...select Manage and then Disk Management and see if they are listed there.
If so right click each one and select Properties and report back with how they are listed.

[soybean]

Does your USB and camera require USB 2.0?  Does your Device Manager show one or more items with the word "Enhanced" in the name?  That indicates USB 2.0 capability.

[derrylodge]

Patio
many thanks again for your response, now its getting interesting. I have never seen this part of my computer, anyway both are listed as Removable disss and online. both under "layout" say partition, both under "type" say basic, both say under "file system" say fat and both say they are healthy/active.

I hope this information is of some use to you


Soybean
Thanks for your input, they do not require usb2 and have both worked fine on the computer until a week ago, god knows whats changed


 

[derrylodge]

Patio

I have been playing around in the computer management folder. I Assigned drive letters for the camera and flash drive (g and h)
They still do not show up when I open "my computer" but I am able to access the files and pictures by simply right clicking on them in the computer management folder and then clicking open.

I now have all my holiday pictures and files from my flash drive.

and you my friend have my heartfelt gratitude. Hopefully I will be able to have the new drives recognised, but if not at least I can still use them

Many, many thanks Patio and to everyone else who responded to my problem, it really is appreciated

Derrylodge

[patio]

Do they show up in Windows Explorer ? ?

I'm glad to hear you're getting further along with this. Keep in mind Disk Management is a powerful component of Windows so always be careful in there. In this case it helped you solve an issue.

To run Windows Explorer go to Start/Programs/Accessories and it should be listed there. Click on it. If it's not go to Start/Run and type in explorer and hit Enter. You should now see all your drives including the USB and Camera.
To create a shortcut just drag the USB drive to the Desktop. It will say you can't move this here blah blah blah do you want a shortcut ...answer yes.

Follow the procedure for the Camera and you will now have Desktop shortcuts to both of those devices...

Good Luck and stop by anytime !

[derrylodge]

Hi again Patio

They do not show up in Windows explorer, I have looked at it repeatedly and I am afraid they are still not there.
I have assigned new drive letters for them in disk management but nothing in my computer either.

Derrylodge

[truenorth]

derrylodge,You are certainly in good hands with Patio trying to assist you.I have on occasion been succesful in solving conundrums that seem to have stumped forum experts by doing something that either was not suggested or one would not believe that doing it could alter the results. So with that in mind i am making a suggestion that falls into the latter category.I know that you have uninstalled and reinstalled the software for the digital camera with no change. i am going to suggest you do it again but assuming that you have more than one physical (or at least partitioned virtual drives) this time redirect the new installation to another drive or partition. The normal default is to "C" program files. Try that and let us know if it brings back your access to the device. As far as the flash drive i really have no new ideas to contribute on that one. This whole issue sounds very much like a conflict issue between some other hardware to me. Good luck,truenorth