Vista Tutorial - USB stops working after recent Windows Update

Hi everyone, I hope someone can please help me.

Since installing about 13 Windows Update's sometime last week, I've noticed
my USB ports have been playing up.

Every couple if minutes i get a warning saying "Windows needs to install
driver software for your Unknown Device" even though nothing new has been put
in. When I check for the updated drivers, it says it is unable to find the
correct drivers and offers an online solution (Update for Windows Vista,
32-bit versions (KB940199)) but that won't install - it 'Doesn't apply to
your system' apparently.

Also, my flash drive will not be recognized either - it goes through the
same 'Unknown device' routine as described above.

I've used System Restore to take my computer back before the updates and I
encounter no problems at all, but obviously i'll want to keep Vista updated.

Is this a known issue, and what can I do to get the USB ports functioning
properly?

I have vista 32bit by the way.

Thank you,
Robbie.

Hi Robie! I have the exact same problem on Vista Ultimate 32 bit. Also, I have a second 40 GB HDD whose 10GB Primary partition does not get recognised and goes into Unknown Devies category in device manager along with my USB drive. My USB drive and 40 GB HDD are getting recognised as devices but not installing themselves as Disks which is why we can't access them.

I am looking at a potential solution as i'm writing this at this forum:
USB Drive Problems with Vista - TechNet Forums

Will write back with updates. Its pretty annoying since I have my project du dates coming up and I cant read my USB drive :-E

I found the solution!!!!! YAHOOOO! Can't tell ya how very glad I was to see my project data again! I thought for sure that I would have to reformat! Enough chit chat, heres step by step procedure with images! :

Step 1: Hit Win+f { Hold Windows Key and simultaneously press f} and click on Advanced Search.




Step 2: In "Locations" Select the drive where Vista is installed and remember to tick mark the "Include non-indexed, hidden, and system files (might be slow" check box.




Step 3: In the highlighted search box, type "volume*.*" [Obviously, without the quotes] and wait for the search to get completed. Then select that file which resides in "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository". It is highlighted here:




Btw, If you cant see the folder column, right click on "Name" and u'll be able to select the Folder option from a menu.

Step 4: Once u have located the volume.inf file, copy it and paste it in "C:\Windows\Inf" folder. I've used a hack to put Copy to in right click of every file.



Step 5: Now close everything and come back to desktop. Click on start and type cmd in the Start search box BUT do not click on it or press enter. Instead, right click it and select run as administrator. The Window of Command prompt MUST read "Administrator: Command Prompt".




Step 6: Now type:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

and press enter. Now in that same window type:

devmgmt.msc

and press enter. Device manager should now open. Now click on View menu and click on show hidden devices menu.



Step 7: Expand the Disk Drives entry and u should find ur USB flash disk in disabled state. right click it and uninstall it. After uninstalling, connect your USB flash disk and voila! The system finds the drivers!




NOTE: For any reason Whatso ever, if Windows Still asks for drivers, Select "I wanna search and locate drivers myself" and specify ur Vista installation drive. That should do the trick!.

That's it! I have figured this thing out on my own, so please gimme credit where it is due!

Can I just say Dragor that you are a legend when it comes to USB problems! I
followed your instructions and it sorted it out straight away!

I simply did the same for the other unknown devices that wouldn't install -
for some reason after I followed your instructions it suddenly decided to
tell me what the unknown devices actually were (in my case, a 'generic drive'
or something similar).

Thanks again Dragor, you were a big help!

"Dragor" wrote:

Many Thanks.

Had the same problem, but for drivers relating to USBSTOR.INF and
USBPRINT.INF.

Followed your procedure, but for USBSTOR.* and USBPRINT.*, rather than
VOLUME*.*, and problem is no more.

Cheers

"Dragor" wrote: