My Computer
 

The My Computer icon has stopped opening the window to that allows access to connected drives. In particular, the USB card reader or memory stick drives.
As i do a lot of photography this is at best annoying.
Anyone know what,s causing this failure?
I am using xp sp2 on a dell dimension 8400 3gig pentium4.
The system information says usb is ok.
Thanks in advance. john

Re: My Computer
 

try reboot

Re: My Computer
 

are there any other symptoms? can you open it up from the start menu? or access it through any explorer window?

Re: My Computer
 

Once i plug a USB key into any slot, even the start menu freezes

Re: My Computer
 

is just the USB key do the usb mouse or keyboard work

Re: My Computer
 

sounds like either the usb drive is fubared or your usb controller. Are you using front port? rear ports or a hub at all?

Re: My Computer
 

If the start menu is freezing when USB devices are installed you may have a corrupted association, is it only the USB drive causing the freeze when you plug it in? If so did it come with any software you installed for it or is it just windows accessing it?

Re: My Computer
 

Yep, I agree that you either have a corrupt/non-working removable device (or possibly the drivers are corrupt)

Is there another PC you can try the USB card in? Also try updating your motherboard drivers as well as a reset of your bios.

Re: My Computer
 

reason I asked about a hub is ive seen this thing caused by a dodgy usb cable also ie and extension or hub in this case the op may be using something ( doesnt sound like it though)

imo its most likely the device though

Re: My Computer
 

Could be a hub fault (more likely caused by insufficient current if it is a hub fault) no mention though off the OP..

If it's a memory device then likely to be corrupt, use controller tries to read and ends up going in a loop

Re: My Computer
 

or could be that its a dell lol ..... no really i hope you get it sorted m8

Re: My Computer
 

I don't know if it is relevant, but I have 2 WD 250GB passport HDDs.

I plugged them in to my laptop, with a different lead and they failed to work.

It turned out it was to do with the USB cable length, I used the cable that can with them and they worked.

Re: My Computer
 

Length is certainly a strange one.
I have an Iomega external drive/eclosure that only works when i use a USB lead with one of those ferrite bumps on the end of it.

Re: My Computer
 

*UPDATE* The memory stick works if i plug it in before i switch on the pc. But freezes the taskbar and start menu if i plug it in once the pc is on. Also same problem with card reader or any usb device.
USB Keyboard and mouse are working fine.

Re: My Computer
 

I noticed that you are running XP sp2, try updating to sp3