External Drive Not Recognized

I was rattled one day by my mom the other day, who was panicking because her external drive isn't functioning well... and that's where she stores all her files. Badtrip.

So being more computer literate than her, I tried figuring out the problem. The very problem was an error pop-up stating something like "USB Device Not Recognized" or something.

The External HD was Maxtor though I don't think the brand is significant. I tried googling this up and it gave lots of suggestions basically pointing to 3 things.

First off, I tried turning off the laptop's (Was using Vista on a Sony Vaio TZ btw) power and unplugging everything for 30mins. This method worked for some, though it did not for mine.

Next, I went ahead and followed a suggestion I found online which was to delete the INFCache folder named "inf" found in C:\Windows\. Engk! Wrong! Don't do this. I rebooted after renaming (good thing I just renamed this sucker to INF-backup instead) and received a "Windows Failed to Start" message hindering the laptop to even reach the log in screen. Options like safe mode won't do you any good. Windows will still not start. However, I found that the remedy to this is via command prompt.

Windows Failed To Start TroubleShoot

TO reach CMD, turn on the laptop and press F8 continuously (like reaching Safe Mode) and wait for the options. Along with Safe Mode options, there's this option called "Repair Your Computer." Choose that and you will enter a log in screen old school Windows style. Choose your Admin profile and log in. You will see a lot of options under System Recovery Options like System Restore, Vaio Recovery, and more. Choose Command Prompt.

Now enter the following (rid of quotation marks)

1. "DIR C:\Windows"

This will list the files and folders in your Windows folder. Double check if you have a new inf folder. If you have two inf folders (a new one and your old renamed one), proceed to step 2, otherwise, go to step 3.

2. "REN C:\Windows\INF INFxx"

If Windows tried to repair itself, it must've created a new INF folder. This command will rename that new folder to INFxx (this name is irrelevant and unimportant so rename it to whatever you please).

3. "REN C:\Windows\INF-Backup INF"

If you deleted the INF folder, then I don't know how. However, in my case, I renamed the INF folder to "INF-backup" just to be safe. This command will rename that INF-backup (or whatever new name you gave it) back to INF.

4. Double Check

Type in "Dir C:\Windows" again and check if you have renamed your INF folder properly.

5. Reboot.

This should be fixed by now. Sigh with relief :P

NOTE: This worked for me simply because I renamed the INF folder in C:\Windows which led to a "Windows Failed to Start" error. This may be similar to cases wherein you renamed folders which led to the same error but I cannot assure you that.

The third thing I did was to check if the XDrive worked with other Laptops/PCs (which is ideally the 1st thing I should've done >_<). Seems like the XDrive does not work on other devices be it Mac or Windows. So I opted to look for a new USB cable and attached it. Works for me :)