Why isn't my computer detecting my thumb drive?

Question

I bought a new thumb drive but the computer doesn't detect it after sticking it in the USB drive. Could it be broken? And can it be repaired?

Thank you all for your helpful comments - my brother tried it on his computer (about a year old) and it didn't work on the 1st USB drive but he tried the 2nd USB drive and it worked! He tried his own thumb drive on his 1st drive and it worked too, so both drives were functional except my new thumb drive only works in the 2nd one, it seems. Don't know why but as long as it works, I'm happy! Thanks to all of you again!

Answer 1

It is very unlikely that a new thumb drive does not work. Try out the following.

1. Are you sure your USB port works ? Try swapping ports
2. What sort of operating system is being used ? Windows 95,98 etc need separate drivers to use USB thumb drives. This usually ships with your thumb drive or you may be able to download from their website
3. In some rare cases with very old pc's I have noticed that the USB drive has not got the requisite voltage to drive it and hence it may not work. Usually this problem is associated with laptops. Solution - try not to use a USB hub and without using any other USB devices, try plugging in. Easier option of course would be to try on another pc.
4. Check if you have the right drivers for the USB port. Is the port functional and not disabled by mistake .

As for repairs of thumb drive, since it is new, you should ask for a replacement. Considering the cost in fixing and reliability after fixing you will be better off in buying another one !

Answer 2

Take your thumb drive to another computer and see if it works there. If you don't have another machine around, try rebooting your computer with thumb drive connected. Plug the thumb drive in a different USB port - if you tried the one in the front then go and plug it in the back now. Look in Windows Device Manager and see what it says about your USB devices.

Answer 3

We had this same issue with a new Toshiba laptop running XP home and tried everything suggested here and more. Finally went to manufacturer website and updated the BIOS (even though there was no mention of this issue!)
Wham - fixed. So look for a BIOS update. If there is a newer one available, it may resolve your issue. XP should recognize a flash drive as soon as it is plugged in without any other action being necessary. Good luck!

Answer 4

go to ur control panel and choose add new hardware and let the os do the work for u
if that doesnt work u probably have to install the drivers for the flash device
if u got cds with the flash device install from there
else look for it on google

Answer 5

better check the usb port
try the ones at the rearof the cpu

Answer 6

Check your OS. only windows XP can atuomatically detect & install drivers for thumbdrive. in case ur OS is XP, try detecting it by using 'Detect new hardware' in Control panel & install drivers automatically.

Answer 7

Dependong on the age of your system you may have to reboot with the drive installed in order for you pc to detect it.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/serveroptions/us/download/23839.html

this is the most used way for a new thumb. please read it b4 u use it.

Answer 8

you should constantly attempt the "upload new hardware" option in the administration panel. that ought to tension the computer to seek for something related that it doesnt already have put in. works everytime for me, yet optimistically your working on XP, i dont be attentive to bearing directly to the faster working structures