Disappearing Drives

[pajeff02]

Our home computer runs Windows Vista and has several slots on the tower for memory sticks. The problem is that half the time I go to upload pics from my memory stick, these drives do not appear under "My Computer" and nothing I do brings them up. Tonight, they were there when I opened "My Computer", but disappeared the second I insterted my camera stick. Generally, if I restart the computer they will reappear.

[Zapper2003]

try refreshing? either under edit or file or somewhere in there.

[Tonik]

Our home computer runs Windows Vista and has several slots on the tower for memory sticks. The problem is that half the time I go to upload pics from my memory stick, these drives do not appear under "My Computer" and nothing I do brings them up. Tonight, they were there when I opened "My Computer", but disappeared the second I insterted my camera stick. Generally, if I restart the computer they will reappear.

Next time one isn't showing up pull up Device Manager. (I'm not sure exactly how to get there in Windows Vista.) If, in Device Manager, you see an icon with a yellow triangular sign with an "!" in it, right click and select "Update Driver Software."

That's my guess, but I have never had this problem.

[pajeff02]

I'll have to look for a "refresh" button.

I did pull up the Device Manager and could not find the missing drives listed. I'm actually not sure what you call them, but I clicked on the entire list and opened up the subcategories too looking for them. No error triangles either.

What is also weird is that the computer does not automatically recognize the drive when a memory stick is inserted either. Kind of like when you plug something new in -- that process.

[krese]

so, you have a stick that you put the memory cards from the camera in and then plug that in to the USB slot on your computer?

[ls1camino]

Get rid of Vista...it has the worst File Management known to man. Get 7...if you don't want to spend the cash, get XP.

[Schmalgar]

Find your way to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Storage, Disk Management. You will see all drives there. Sometimes a drive will be set to not have a drive letter. So with no letter, you won't see it in My Computer, but you will still see it here if Windows sees it. If not, see earlier post about looking for yellow warning icon in Device Manager...

[pajeff02]

^^ I will try it tonight. It's not a USB port, there are several different sized slots to accept different forms of storage media. No need to upgrade -- I use the damn thing to upload pics, surf the web and send e-mail. That is all.

[krese]

^^ I will try it tonight. It's not a USB port, there are several different sized slots to accept different forms of storage media. No need to upgrade -- I use the damn thing to upload pics, surf the web and send e-mail. That is all.

if the above does not work just go out and spend a few bucks and pick up a reader that you put the cards in to that goes in to your usb slot. maybe there are issues with the reader in your case.

here is what i have and it works great:
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-MobileMate-RescuePro-Software-SDDR-104-RPRO/dp/B0024CP5I4/ref=sr_1_27?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1302022134&s r=1-27[/ame]

[pajeff02]

The drives showed up tonight so I am going to upload what I have.

Thanks for all the help!

[Aetos]

Threaten them with a lawsuit

Your problem is weird, most of the computers that I've seen with built in media card readers always show the drives, even if no card is inserted.

I have to agree with the get rid of vista advice, or else, the administration tools -> disk management is where I would check if it ever happens again.

[krese]

don't listen to the get rid of vista advice. it isn't as bad as most people say it is. windows 7 is better but vista gets the job done.

[Smittro]

WIN7 here..

[Schmalgar]

yeah I skipped Vista, as part of the 'every other version of Windows is rushed and sucks' theory. I just installed 7, it seems solid so far.

[Smittro]

yeah I skipped Vista, as part of the 'every other version of Windows is rushed and sucks' theory. I just installed 7, it seems solid so far.

Yeah I went from Xp strait to 7.. Could'nt be happier.. Had to make some changes to play COD but all is good..

[pajeff02]

I have some more pics to upload so we'll see what happens tonight.

[Schmalgar]

Yeah I went from Xp strait to 7.. Could'nt be happier.. Had to make some changes to play COD but all is good..

Yeah I had to make some tweaks to get Cossacks to work. Old game, but I love it, not ready to give it up. But on the flip side, Frontlines is playing faster and better than ever!