A memory leak occurs in the Shell Hardware Detection Service, and external media devices are not automatically detected on a Windows XP SP2-based computer (915061)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)

SYMPTOMS

On a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer, you connect an external media device that contains pictures or video files. However, Windows XP does not automatically detect the external media device.

Note Examples of an external media device include a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick and a USB hard disk drive.

CAUSE

This issue is triggered by a memory leak in the Shell Hardware Detection Service.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Use Windows Explorer to access the contents of the removable media device.

Method 2

Apply the software update that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

888083 The "Write these files to CD" option is not available in Windows Explorer after a Group Policy setting is applied in Windows XP

This update adds a retry option to the Shell Hardware Detection Service code.

Method 3

Restart the computer. By restarting the computer, you reset the Shell Hardware Detection Service and re-enable the Autoplay feature.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/30/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kbBug kbprb KB915061 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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