Solved Thumb drive does not show up in Windows Explorer

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Pete1234

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When I plug a thumb drive into the USB port of my computer, it makes the sound that the computer recognized it, but the thumb drive does not visibly show up in Windows Explorer as being connected. Hence I can utilize my thumb drive with my computer. I have updated my computer software, and I have restored the computer, still the problem persists. I think it is a driver issue, but not sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
Have you tried using the drive on another computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Sometimes, Windows sees the USB device but will not assign it a drive letter. I have this happen routinely from time to time.

Go into Disk Management, with the USB plugged in, and scroll down through the list of drives to see if the USB stick is listed. If it is, right-click on it and choose the option to assign it a drive letter. Once that is done, you will be able to see the contents of the USB stick.
 

My Computer

System One

Mark Phelps said:
Sometimes, Windows sees the USB device but will not assign it a drive letter. I have this happen routinely from time to time.

Go into Disk Management, with the USB plugged in, and scroll down through the list of drives to see if the USB stick is listed. If it is, right-click on it and choose the option to assign it a drive letter. Once that is done, you will be able to see the contents of the USB stick.
Click to expand...

I did this previously, and disk management showed 5 remote disks with nothing attached. In my desperation I deleted all five of the remote disks from Disk Management, thinking that when I installed the Flash Drive the computer would assign a new drive, but that wasn't the case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
broe23 said:
Have you tried using the drive on another computer?
Click to expand...

Yes, I have and it works fine. I am led to believe that this is a driver problem and that 3 drivers need to be updated. I thought you could update drivers on the MicroSoft site, but I didn't see it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
ComputerGeek said:
See if this might help How to Cleanup and Remove old USB Mass Storage Drivers
Click to expand...

I tried a program that guaranteed to fix my problems by downloading three drivers that they identified as out of date. Yet when I checked all of the drivers, they all noted that they were up to date. Anyway this company charged $30 and promised money back if the newly downloaded drivers didn't solve the problem. I did the download, and there was no improvement. So I called the company up and told them I wanted a refund. Before they agreed to the refund, I had a high pressure salesman trying to sell me a $300 protection package. After repeatedly trying to get him off of his sales pitch.....I declined the extra protection and demanded the refund. It appears that the refund is in progress. After all of this, I don't think my problem is a driver issue, I believe it is my computer's start-up settings. I am calling HP (which my computer is) and having them fix my start-ups settings. Will notify if this takes care of the problem. There are just too many companies out out there, trying to take your money, while the benefits (they provide) are minimal to detrimental.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
I am going to do a system recovery on my computer (after backing everything up)....I am confident this will resolve the issue. Apparently, some files got corrupted along the way. Thanks for everyone's input!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
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