A computer that is running Windows XP cannot detect a USB thumb drive, an Apple iPod, or an external hard disk drive (925196)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

You attach a USB-based device to a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP. Then, you try to scan for hardware devices. However, the computer may not detect the attached device, and you may not see the device in the My Computer folder.

You may experience this problem when you are using one or more of the following devices:
  • USB thumb drive
  • Apple iPod
  • External hard disk drive
Additionally, you may not see the iPod in the iTunes application.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if there are corrupted or incorrect keys in the registry.

RESOLUTION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, delete the UpperFilters registry value and the LowerFilters registry value. These values may cause access problems. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit , and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the UpperFilters registry value. This value is located in the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E980-E325 11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

  3. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK.
  4. Locate and then click the LowerFilters registry value. This value is located in the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

  5. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK.
  6. Exit Registry Editor.
  7. Restart the computer.

Note If you lose functionality in a particular program such as CD recording software after you remove both registry values, you may have to reinstall that software. If the problem occurs again, contact the software vendor for help.

For information about how to contact Apple Computer, Inc., click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z

REFERENCES

For more information about missing devices, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

812489 The floppy disk drive is missing from the My Computer folder

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about CD drives and DVD drives, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314060 CD-ROM access is missing and messages cite error code 31, code 32, code 19, code 39, or code 41 after you remove Easy CD Creator in Windows XP

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/15/2006
Keywords:kbHardware kbtshoot kbprb KB925196 kbAudDeveloper kbAudEndUser
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