Solving USB Flash Drive Problems

If you encounter USB flash drive problems, common causes and solutions are listed in the following table.

USB flash drive is not seen as a drive letter in Windows.

Cause

Solution

 

 

The drive letter after the last physical drive is not available.

Change the default drive letter for the flash drive in Windows.

 

 

USB flash drive not found (identified).

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

The device is attached to a USB port that has been disabled in

Run the Computer Setup utility and ensure that the USB ports

Computer Setup.

are enabled.

 

 

The device was not properly seated before power-up.

Ensure the device is fully inserted into the USB port before

 

applying power to the system

 

 

System will not boot from USB flash drive.

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

Boot order is not correct.

Run the Computer Setup utility and change boot sequence.

 

 

The image on the device is not bootable.

Insert a bootable device.

 

 

The computer boots to DOS after making a bootable flash drive.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Flash drive is bootable.

Install the flash drive only after the operating system boots.

 

 

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Chapter 9 Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics