USB Problems/ drivers wont install

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Guest

Nothing i plug into my vista system works, vista cant find drivers for any of
my stuff, ie; memory stick, mp3, cell phone, external hard drive. i tried
that command prompt thing on ms troubleshoot for Autoplay, but no go.
everything works great on my xp systems. anyone got any ideas ????
 
tried that link but found nothing compatible, pluss its not "free". I did a
System Restore and used "Manual" as the restore point. That seemed to work.4
out of 5 of my USB devices now work. My Razr cell phone still cant get a
driver. Ill get on Moto about that.
 
...I did a
System Restore and used "Manual" as the restore point. That seemed to work.4
out of 5 of my USB devices now work...
Click to expand...

So many people are having similar problems it would be nice if you could
think what might have happened that required a restore. Did you run
Windows Update, maybe, or install some third-party software, edit the
Registry, etc?

Were there restore points other than 'Manual' that you could pick from?
 
Exactly the same problem and its driving me mad. Ive reinstalled Vista three
times and this still keeps happening!!!!

This is what i have posted elsewhere...........

Please help. I have re-installed Vista three times now and this problem
keeps cropping up.

Usually when you attach certain peripherals windows automatically installs
generic drivers and away you go. This is the case with Vista as well
HOWEVER.......

After a few days use Vista keeps asking for drivers for no matter what new
hardware i try to attach to my Dell M1210.

If i attach a simple external hard drive for the first time i get "windows
needs to install driver software for your......"

If i ask it to install automatically then i get a prompt saying "insert the
disc that came with your device"

As an external hard drive dosent need any extra drivers i dont have a disc
and so windows cant use the hardware.

If i plug it into an XP machine i need no extra drivers, if i plug it into a
Vista machine soon after install i need no extra drivers but if i try and add
anything after a few days i get nowhere!

Any help would be great!

(Its not just the hard drive, its cameras, memory cards, printers, anything
external)

Is there any news on this yet??????
 
Found a fix at last!

Click "Locate and install drivers software (recommended)" then "I dont have
the disc show me other options" then "Browse my computer for driver software
(advanced)" Chose the location "C:\Windows" and make sure the "include
subfolders" is ticked. BINGO :)

Works with all hardware (well it should do)
 
Found a fix at last!

Click "Locate and install drivers software (recommended)" then "I dont have
the disc show me other options" then "Browse my computer for driver software
(advanced)" Chose the location "C:\Windows" and make sure the "include
subfolders" is ticked. BINGO :)

Works with all hardware (well it should do)
Click to expand...

Open Regedit

Change HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\DevicePath to '%SystemRoot%\System32'
 
Open Regedit

Change HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\DevicePath to '%SystemRoot%\System32'
Click to expand...

dj, glad to hear you found how to fix the problem, but it doesn't
explain why it happens in the first place. I'm assuming (but could
well be wrong) that Vista should need to install each driver only
once -- unless Vista removes a driver after a few days of non-use?
Now that I think of it I'll unplug all of my USB devices for a few
days and see what happens.
 
Hi, Had the very same problem as you, if you have your vista upgrade cd
reinstall it, this is what i did, rather drastic but it solved all my usb
problems. This is assuming you have the vista upgrade software, as you will
keep all your programes and personal files intact,
Roy.
 
Just wanted to add a very big Thank You!!

Regedit change seemed to have solved the problems that have taken two days
of my time!
 
I have the same problem. But when I go to that location in regedit, I don't
have any \DevicePath, just \Device Installer.

:
 
opened regedit and it does not say device path, won't let me rename it
any help this is not my first problem with vista
 
I have the same problem with my Razr Cell phone. I get the "Browse my
computer for driver software" message, then it can't find the software so I
choose "Other Options". It sends me a link to Motorola's site, I join, I
download the 64 bit phone software. When I try to install, I get a message
"System cannot intall this software". VERY frustrating. I haven't even tried
my digital camera or Jump Drive yet.
 
Hi djrm,
i donot know if u r still around. now, i have the same problem and sorted it
by choosing the location c:\windows........... sorted. but it keeps asking
me everytime i plug in my usb devices. got fed up with installing everytime i
need. surely vista should be able to remember devices once installed. any
ideas.
 
THE MAN IS A GENIUS
u need to be employed at winows!!
finally got my olypus camera working
after olympus blamed windows vista for not recognising plug and play devices,
and windows help wanted $80 to investigate.
thankyou very much
next time ur on the goldcoast... i'll buy u a beer!
all posts above this one relating to plug and play devices should point to
here

Addy hash
 
I think microsoft did this deliberately. I think they are theives trying to
get some easy money. This problem is unacceptable on every level. All my plug
and play devices are worthless now. Thanks to vista the disaster.
 
i had such a hard time with this problem, and i searched all over the internet for a solution, and finally, after many hours, found one...

you plug in your usb mass storage device, and you try to install the driver, and it gives you this:

"Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device

Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while
attempting to install it.

USB Mass Storage Device

The system cannot find the file specified.

If you know the manufacturer of your device, you can visit its website and
check the support section for driver software."

the problem is a missing inf file, and this site explains very simply how to resolve the issue...worked amazingly for me

http://teknobabble.wordpress.com/20...ems-installing-a-usb-media-reader-a-solution/

hope it helps you too ;)

EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com
 
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