click start control panel administration tools computer management device manager scroll through all of your devices
if you see a yellow question or exclamation mark ? ! or a red X you will need to update the drivers for this device right click select update driver/reinstall driver
if you can see your usb device but its not working scroll to Ports(Com&Ltd) right click to update driver
if you computer came with a motherboard disk the drivers could be on it
or you might have to download them
rather doing a driver hunt which can take hours
http://download.cnet.com/slimdrivers-free/3000-18513_4-75279940.html
it might take some time being a freeware driver solution
note: it will find all of your outdated drivers
this is a free driver solutions this will automatically search for and find the correct driver you will have to update every driver individually once you update you might be asked whether you want to restart or make a system restore point click no to both of these then continue updating each driver free then restart once all of the drivers have been updated also at cnet http://download.cnet.com/2000-20_4.html on the home page you should see a search tab just type in what you are looking for IE: motherboard name sound drivers you might have to try a few times to get it right
http://download.cnet.com/drivermax/3000-18513_4-10572602.html
Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/8 free driver program
http://download.cnet.com/drivers-for-free/3000-18512_4-75548155.html
Windows XP/2003/Vista/Server 2008/7/8 free drivers
http://www.downloadcollection.com/device_doctor.htm
Device Doctor is a freeware Windows application that scans your computer hardware and checks to see if there are new driver updates available for your devices. It also locates drivers for Unidentified Devices in the Windows Device Manager. This tool was designed to be very simple and easy to use
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/ free program, paid update available
hope this helps
click start control panel administration tools computer management device manager look through all of your devices if you see a yellow question mark?or exclamation mark ! or red xright click to reinstall drivers or
if you can see your usb but its not workingports(com&lpt)right click update driver
sometimes the wires inside the cable will be damaged due to bending or stretching or placing heavy equipment upon the cable
just replace the cable of the hard disk, when you plugged the external disk drive you got that windows could recognize the USB device change the cable everything should work fine again,
check the USB leads that attach to the motherboard usually red-white-green-black make sure they are securely seated and have no dust build up on them dust will cause static and a lot of unforeseen problems
if this fails to fix the problem type in run "regedit" then press ok then you can see registry editor then locate below key. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11 CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} And remove upper filter and lower filter. Then restart computer then check. Also locate the below key and make sure it's value is 3 not 4. HKLM\system\currentcontrolset\services\usbstor make sure start value is 3 not 4
if still no luckyou might have to install a usb 2 or 3 card they are cheap and easy to install you can buy these on Ebay very cheap hope this helps
A few important bits of information about using faults and possible fixes on usb drives
click start control panel administrive tools computer management device manager scroll down universal serial bus controllers you could see a yellow question / exclamation mark? ! or a red X
you will need to update/reinstall drivers
right click to reinstall drivers
if you can see your usb drive but its not working
ports(com&lpt)right click update driver if this fails to fix the problem check the USB leads that attach to the motherboard usually red white green black make sure they are securely seated and have no dust build up on them dust will cause static and a lot of unforeseen problems for a computer and its parts click start control panel administrive tools computer management disk management right click on your drive select properties click tools you should see click check now click start two boxes automatically fix files and scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors place then a tick in one box then select check now start or you might tick one box then return after its finished the first repair then return and tick the second box (I have found better results ticking the first box then reurn and tick the second box) you should not do anything while the chkdsk utility is in progress any input may damage this drive also you might need to do this
click start click to open on my computer you should see your usb drive F: right click select properties there will be an array of options select the sharing tab option then advanced sharing make sure you have a tick in the share this folder box then click permissions make sure you have full control in windows 7
click start control panel user accounts click on the administrators account if you have made one or you will have to create one in windows XPalsoIf you are running a Windows XP OS then you might be able to: click start right click on my computer select openRight click the icon of your Flash Drive (It should be F: / E: or something) Click Properties in the menu that comes up Click the Sharing tab Click permissions And finally, click Allow next to Full Control.
if you need more help with this post a reply
hope this helps you
you might have a dirty hard drive if the click noise is coming from inside your hard drive the reader arm is skipping across the platters or might be trying to connect but cant find the drive causing a clicking noise you could give the hard drive a firm tap to the side to free up up the reader arm
click start control panel administrive tools ,computer management ,device manager look through all of your devices if you see a yellow question mark?or exclamation mark ! or red x
right click to reinstall drivers or
if you can see your usb but its not working
ports(com&lpt)right click update driver
sometimes the wires inside the cable will be damaged due to bending or stretching or placing heavy equipment upon the cable,
just replace the cable of the hard disk, when you plugged the external disk drive you got that windows could recognize the USB device change the cable everything should work fine again,
check the USB leads that attach to the motherboard usually red-white-green-black make sure they are securely seated and have no dust build up on them dust will cause static and a lot of unforeseen problems also make sure the computers Ram and Cmos battery are securely seatedif this fails to fix the problem you might have to install a usb 2 or 3 card they are cheap and easy to install you can buy these on Ebay very cheap hope this helps
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