USB doesn't show up, "Unknown Device"

Tarkana · October 24th, 2009, 12:58 AM

I have a Sony 8GB Flash Drive (USM8GL) that used to work fine. I'd plug it in, it'd come up in My Computer and I'd be able to access it and do whatever with it.

Now, when I plug my USB (into any computer), it "installs" it and sometimes it says it's now ready to use, sometimes it says the USB device isn't recognised, but it doesn't come up in My Computer and it's listed as an "Unknown Device" in Device Manager. I check the properties to see what the problem is and it says that no drivers are installed for that device. I tried clicking "Update Driver", but that didn't work. I tried clicking "Uninstall" and then scanning for hardware changes, but that didn't work either.

It doesn't show up in Disk Management either.

The LED used to light up when I was using the USB, but now it's just always on.

The problems I have are exactly the same on every computer I use, in every port I try. Is there anything I can do? Is it fixable in any way?

CCT · October 24th, 2009, 07:32 AM

If you are trying to save data from it, then I can't help.

If you just want to try and make it useable, and can at some point 'see' it, try this;

Download and install the HP Drive Key Boot Utility - http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...X-UNITY-I23839

Open the desktop icon and select the correct flash drive under device.
Select the file system you want to format to (FAT, FAT32, NTFS)
Tick Quick Format.
Click start.

Officially this software (HP Drive Key Boot Utility) is meant for HP disks, but unofficially it seems to work fine at formatting most flash media, even digital camera cards.

October 24th, 2009, 12:58 AM	#1
Tarkana Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	USB doesn't show up, "Unknown Device" I have a Sony 8GB Flash Drive (USM8GL) that used to work fine. I'd plug it in, it'd come up in My Computer and I'd be able to access it and do whatever with it. Now, when I plug my USB (into any computer), it "installs" it and sometimes it says it's now ready to use, sometimes it says the USB device isn't recognised, but it doesn't come up in My Computer and it's listed as an "Unknown Device" in Device Manager. I check the properties to see what the problem is and it says that no drivers are installed for that device. I tried clicking "Update Driver", but that didn't work. I tried clicking "Uninstall" and then scanning for hardware changes, but that didn't work either. It doesn't show up in Disk Management either. The LED used to light up when I was using the USB, but now it's just always on. The problems I have are exactly the same on every computer I use, in every port I try. Is there anything I can do? Is it fixable in any way?

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October 24th, 2009, 07:32 AM	#2
CCT Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada, Eh! Posts: 3,506	If you are trying to save data from it, then I can't help. If you just want to try and make it useable, and can at some point 'see' it, try this; Download and install the HP Drive Key Boot Utility - http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...X-UNITY-I23839 Open the desktop icon and select the correct flash drive under device. Select the file system you want to format to (FAT, FAT32, NTFS) Tick Quick Format. Click start. Officially this software (HP Drive Key Boot Utility) is meant for HP disks, but unofficially it seems to work fine at formatting most flash media, even digital camera cards.