Win2k driver for USB hard disk

[Asp]

I have a simple cable with a header that fits on an IDE hard disk to USB.

When I plug this into an XP computer, it sees the hard disk.

My Win2000 PC however asks for a driver. There wasn't any with the cable, any idea what would work?

Googling for generic things like "USB, hard disk, driver, Win2000" gives 5 million hits, so I'm hoping human intelligence is more targetted.

Edited September 19, 2009 by Asp

[jaclaz]

I have a simple cable with a header that fits on an IDE hard disk to USB.

When I plug this into an XP computer, it sees the hard disk.

My Win2000 PC however asks for a driver. There wasn't any with the cable, any idea what would work?

Googling for generic things like "USB, hard disk, driver, Win2000" gives 5 million hits, so I'm hoping human intelligence is more targetted.

Not so sure about intelligence, I guess memory/experience has more to do with it.

Before anything I would try running the two utilities Chipgenius and USB Device viewer on the "working" XP.

Find relevants links to them in this thread:

http://www.msfn.org/board/screwed-up-usb-d...;hl=usbstor.sys

Once you have found which is the Controller inside the cable/adapter it should be easy to find Manufacturer and it's driver for 2K (IF existing).

Also, unrelated, but you never know, this may be nonetheles of help :

http://www.msfn.org/board/generic-98-usb-d...rks-t99220.html

NOT a solution, maybe a hint towards a possible exploration path, you will need to read "between the lines".

jaclaz

Edited September 19, 2009 by jaclaz

[cdob]

My Win2000 PC however asks for a driver.

What about your DevicePath?

Does 2000 machine use default still: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314479/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DevicePath:

REG_EXPAND_SZ:%SystemRoot%\Inf

Try navigate to %SystemRoot%\Inf manually.

[Asp]

My Win2000 PC however asks for a driver.

What about your DevicePath?

Does 2000 machine use default still: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314479/

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DevicePath:

REG_EXPAND_SZ:%SystemRoot%\Inf

Try navigate to %SystemRoot%\Inf manually.

That's already %SystemRoot%\Inf

I don't let Windows go online by itself to find drivers, it never finds anything anyway.

Will try to run the apps mentioned by jaclaz when I get back on the XP machine.

[cdob]

Does the type match REG_EXPAND_SZ?

Did you selected directory %SystemRoot%\Inf manually?

[Asp]

I feel a bit stupid -- it was a hardware problem.

Checking out the error message I got when messing around in Device Manager:

"A function driver was not specified for this device instance."

I found some links saying that this could be due to insufficient USB power. And so I plugged the cable directly in the back USB socket, instead of via the extender, and it came up as a hard disk.

Why the hell isn't there an "insufficient power" error in USB? There was a connection all right, the light on the cable was flashing, just I suppose not enough power to spin the disk up.

Thanks to all, hope this thread helps someone in the future.

Edited September 20, 2009 by Asp

[Colonel O'Neill]

Lol, my hard disks fail to spin up on my desktop unless I plug the auxilliary USB power in too. Mine makes a funny clicking sound as it can't spin up the platters. The device then shows up as a "USB device" and driver installs fail repeatedly with something like Error 22 (it's been a while).

Usually you can hear the drive trying to spin up.

[jaclaz]

And so I plugged the cable directly in the back USB socket, instead of via the extender, and it came up as a hard disk.

JFYI:

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...=18873&st=4

Actually related to USB booting, but still valid for generic USB troubleshooting:

So, the path for troubleshooting remains, besides what already stated in my FAQ's at #10:

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...SB/USBfaqs.html

1) Always remove any other USB device, INCLUDING any hub and keyboard/mouse (get a PS/2 keyboard/ mouse)

2) Always use the ports on the back (those physically soldered to the motherboard)

3) Try every possible MBR/Bootsector you can put your hands on

Happy problem was solved!

jaclaz

[pointertovoid]

Does your W2k already have the Sp4? It adds a lot to its Usb capability.

----------------

EDIT : so sorry! The issue was already solved and I added an irrelevant message. Mea maxima culpa!

Edited September 22, 2009 by pointertovoid

[Asp]

Does your W2k already have the Sp4? It adds a lot to its Usb capability.

Yes it does, which was why I was surprised at the apparent driver problem -- most of the suggestions on that front seem to relate more to Win98 issues than Win2k.

But as I said, it was actually a voltage issue.