Windows XP Home. External USB drive used to be "F:]" Now my computer calls it "G:\"?

Question

So far, I have tried: 1.unplug power & USB cable/reconnect.2.re-install software. 3. Plug in Flash Drive while hard drive is disconnected/then add hard drive.. 4. Plug in 2 Flash Drives, then add hard drive. 5. Contacted manufacturer. 6. Updated USB driver for hard drive. Programs installed as F:\--- won't work, but used MyComputer and located various files (now called G:\file name). Files can be opened O.K. mp3 files will play. jpg photo files display O.K. How can I get my computer to recognize the USB drive as "F:\" again?.

Answer 1

Open Computer Management Administrative Tool and go to Disk Management. In there, you can select what drive letter you want to use for anything (except C: must be C:).

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=309000
http://www.tweakers.net/ext/i.dsp/1049057279.gif

Answer 2

I think if everything is opening fine. Don't worry leave your USB drive to be G:\, I think there is a big hassle if you want to partition your system manually. You may end up losing your saved documents and files.

Normally, This happens when you add a new device to your computer eg cd drive, dvd drive or any storage device.

A:\ is for floppy disks
B:\

C:\hard drive

if D: is CD drive
then E will be DVD
F:\ USB drive but If you have added may be a zip drive F:\ will be taken
Then the next time you put your USB drive will be G:\ because F has already been taken

Answer 3

Everytime you plug it in windows will allocate its drive letter. Since it was f before, did you unplug it put on another usb storage type *Mp3 player, camera, flash drives* device then put it in? Or have another device in your usb when you turn on windows? You can as others said manually make it F with right click on my computer -->manage--> disk management. No need to make changes to your partitions. All you need to do is highlight the usb drive, right click, then change drive letters and path. However even that isn't certain to make sure it won't change drive letters if you put something else in before windows boots.

Answer 4

Is this a laptop PC? Did you change the drive letter in disk management, under change dirve letter? when you see G drive, is F assigned to any other disk?
So this USB drive used to be F, did you add any storage device to your PC? You know if F is taken, PC automatically assign the next available letter ( G )

Answer 5

Right click on 'My Computer' then open 'Manage'. There you'll find Disk Management. Open it and you'll see all the drives. You can rename them as long as the name is not already allocated. If it's already allocated then free up the drive name you want to an unallocated name, e.g. change 'F' to 'D', then you'll have 'F' free for your USB.