[any ideas?] WIN10 USB storage devices disappeared....

[rabbitBUSH]

So, Hippies, i've spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find the solution to this apparently known problem.

some time ago i lost USB functionality which seems to only be affecting the storage devices - all the other things (USB camera, mouse, keyboard etc.) work.

the removable storage devices work when the PC is booted to LINUX (Ubuntu).

so, just the storage things. i think that the ESP32 devices, which do power up, and seem to be recognised in that IDE (ESP32 connected on comX), are not uploading giving the error: no serial data received.

NONE of the thousands of lines of "help" have rendered a solution neither the several hours of YouTube.

anyone have a non-destructive solution which appears to be out on some limb somewhere away from the mainstream.....?

this really is hobbling my production........

Spoiler: pat me on the back guys

->> Not One Four Letter Word About Mostly Sucks OS]

 

[PaulMeuris]

It could be as simple as connecting the device to a different USB (2.0) port... but i'm sure you tried that one already...
The next thing you could do is to maybe update the windows 10 drivers...

 

[Fernando Solá]

Too little information to really do a troubleshooting. Mostly sure it is a Windows setting issue, but still there are a few things to check for: drivers, power settings, group policies, av settings, windows security settings, registry, BIOS and even to the devices themselves. Is your version of Windows Home or Professional? Are the drives recognized on the device manager as storage devices and do they show in the disks manager? Is your computer stand alone or part of an IT managed network? Do you have any antivirus software that could have any setting regarding external devices? Have you checked the registry "Start" setting on UsbStor?

My guess would be that it is related either to a group policy or that setting on the registry... but it really is a wild guess.

 

[Alex_197]

I had a similar problem.
Try to unplug your device and plug it back. You might see an error. If so - it might be a problem with the power supply.
In my case a light on the device was solid green but the spin didn't work. Try to replace it.

https://www.justanswer.com/computer/44inq-maxtor-320-gb-external-hard-drive-suddenly-stopped.html#:~:text=The%20drive%20is%20most%20likely%20ok%20it,case%20with%20all%20of%20your%20data%20intact.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

Thank you all for your information and suggestions. Basically , it's an apparently arcane thing (which may, in the end, carry a simple solution - which types are often not obvious). I have considered that there could be a rouge/corrupt driver for one of the previously inserted removables - I have software somewhere that will show all previously inserted devices and might let me delete them (can't remember). So when I find it I will have a go. Also, should be able to boot (HIRENS) with XP from disc and see what happens.

windows 10 drivers...

Been there

Mostly sure it is a Windows setting issue

Agreed - can't say I've gone through all that list you've noted - it's W Prof - sticks and external HDD don't show in explorers or disk management - stand alone - Bitdefender doesn't seem to have anything related.

I had a similar problem

thanks that doesn't seem related - power supply box is new though haven't found the power to USB ports (no, that's not it, non-storage things work and get power ESP32 for instance). LINUX seems to prove it's not a hardware issue.

Have you checked the registry "Start" setting on UsbStor?

Nope will look into that thanks.

I thought there was a message suggesting comparison of LINUX and Win drivers - don't see it here - that's out of my pay grade.....

 

[Alex_197]

Thank you all for your information and suggestions. Basically , it's an apparently arcane thing (which may, in the end, carry a simple solution - which types are often not obvious). I have considered that there could be a rouge/corrupt driver for one of the previously inserted removables - I have software somewhere that will show all previously inserted devices and might let me delete them (can't remember). So when I find it I will have a go. Also, should be able to boot (HIRENS) with XT from disc and see what happens.

Been there

Agreed - can't say I've gone through all that list you've noted - it's W Prof - sticks and external HDD don't show in explorers or disk management - stand alone - Bitdefender doesn't seem to have anything related.

thanks that doesn't seem related - power supply box is new though haven't found the power to USB ports (no, that's not it, non-storage things work and get power ESP32 for instance). LINUX seems to prove it's not a hardware issue.

Nope will look into that thanks.

I thought there was a message suggesting comparison of LINUX and Win drivers - don't see it here - that's out of my pay grade.....

try to unplug and plug it back.

If you will see the error - it's a power supply. Or try another power supply and see if it will help. By the way - check if the device is spinning.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

check if the device is spinning.

Thanks again - it affects all storage devices inserted - sold state and spinny thingys.....but thanks again for your responses - appreciate them.

 

[Alex_197]

Thanks again - it affects all storage devices inserted - sold state and spinny thingys.....but thanks again for your responses - appreciate them.

sounds stupid - did you try to turn off the computer and turn it on back? Not restart but turn off.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

sounds stupid

Correct and bizarre....

 

[Fernando Solá]

Bitdefender doesn't seem to have anything related.

Actually.... it could: Bitdefender: Blocking USB drives through Device Control

Still, Group Policy and Registry could be other very plausible sources for the issue: How to Disable USB Drives on Windows 11 and Windows 10

I hope this helps and that you finally gain access to your USB storage. Good Luck!

 

[PaulMeuris]

I thought there was a message suggesting comparison of LINUX and Win drivers - don't see it here - that's out of my pay grade.....

That was my suggestion for a few minutes before i realized that it would also be out of my pay grade.
The idea was to look at the source code of the linux usb device driver and somehow try to create a windows 10 device driver that does the same thing...
My knowledge of C and C++ is limited and it would probably cost some money to buy the windows 10 tools to create a device driver.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

would also be out of my pay grade.

Ha ha it would be great if I employed myself properly and then gave myself a pay rise. Used to use C a lot - but still out of the relevant pay grade .

Somehow have to figure out why drivers don't seem to be updating. Win says the devices are all working properly - probably yet another false positive from ......

Thanks again for the input.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

Actually.... it could:

Mmmmm thanks that's a direction I haven't been in yet.

I hope this helps and that you finally gain access to your USB storage. Good Luck!

Much obliged - thanks for all the input.

 

[PaulMeuris]

Maybe you read this already... or not...
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ut-linux/d237c0bb-8f9b-438e-bfb6-a2c999734696
The last reply says the USB flash drive was immediately recognized...
And of course doing something in the registry means making a backup of the registry first...

 

[rabbitBUSH]

Maybe you read this already... or not...
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ut-linux/d237c0bb-8f9b-438e-bfb6-a2c999734696
The last reply says the USB flash drive was immediately recognized...
And of course doing something in the registry means making a backup of the registry first...

Thanks Paul....what I do like about this forum....and it's peculiar to this one....is that folks stuck with you and also find stuff .....

Looked at that threat seems like that could be of help although (as usual apparently) one has to go to drastic measures to fix Microsoft stuff.

One of the issues has been trying to persuade the machine to understand that It and I have a difference of opinion on whether ..."the correct drivers..." are installed. It just kept reverting itself. I noted earlier that I thought I have similar software to that you found (above). Haven't had time to look for it.

So going to try that method in your link, and hope that all the other USB devices like KB and mouse and camera and printer and......all return to service. Otherwise Oi Oi Oi....

Really good of you to spend some time on this query - I'd that works I'll post feedback (will in any case).

 

[rabbitBUSH]

Maybe you read this already... or not...

Hello Paul,

Bad news. I ran this software. Hasn't corrected my particular problem.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

Group Policy and Registry could be other very plausible sources

Hello Fernando - I have been busy with lots of things so just have had the moments to check on some of this suggestion. The only thing I found in the Group Policy editor that relates to removable storage devices is this : (according to which it should be Ok if you read the last paragraph in the middle pane).... So I still have the issue in spite of all the things that I have tried and found that claimed to be "solutions".

Just thought I would feedback to you on your suggestion and what I found......