WD My Book not instaling

[JCGSTL]

A friend's XP PC is virtually full and so I suggested an external hard drive. When I connect a WD My Book the PC recognises that a 'My Book' has been connected but won't install it. It appears in Device Manager but with an error.

It works perfectly well on another PC.

Any ideas?

Many thanks

 

[BadBigBen]

What does the error say?

possibly a certain service is not running, or some of the system files are damaged...

first:
START >> RUN >> type CMD and hit return >> then run CHKDSK /F C:

then:
with the CMD window open, type SFC /SCANNOW and hit return, have the XP cd handy when it prompts for it...

then:
check if all the services are set correctly, by typing in the cmd window, services.msc and hit return (a new window will pop up)...
cross reference with the following list: BlackViper
use the DEFAULT setting either Pro or Home depending on which version of XP you have installed...

report back if that helped or not...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[JCGSTL]

Many thanks for the response, Ben.

I'll try out the steps you suggest and let you know.

When the USB device is connected Windows tries to install it but fails with the error: "Cannot install this hardware" ..... "the data is invalid

 

[linney]

Is this external hard disk powered by its own power supply or is it powered by the USB from the computer concerned?

Have you exceeded any USB power availability?

 

[JCGSTL]

The disk has its own power supply.

I ran chkdsk and scannow, but I'm having the same problem. I connect the drive, Windows identifies it and tries to install it and gives the same error message.

 

[BadBigBen]

Read the following and see if that helps, as it seems you may not have admin rights...

You receive a "Cannot install this hardware" or "An error occurred during the installation" error message when you try to install a PCI device

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841567

here is a DOC (source Haupauge TV Tuner) that explains the way it is done...

http://snapstream.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=1302&nav=0,1

choose the XP version...

good luck... and do post back if it helped...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

When the dust has settled on the current problem your friend might like to look at cleaning up his older drive and recovering some space from that.

Relocating Hard Drive Capacity and File Compression
thread779-939540: Relocating Hard Drive Capacity and File Compression

Hard Disk still full after deleting large files
thread779-1136701: Hard Disk still full after deleting large files

 

[JCGSTL]

I checked the registry permissions as per

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841567

but same old story I'm afraid.

It appears that while it recognises USB devices it won't install them.

The hard drive was virtually full, but I have managed to delete a few gig so that it now has about 4% free. I think I may have to install an additional hard drive and then repair/reinstall Windows.

 

[BadBigBen]

Sorry to hear that the said KB article was no help, as that usually is the problem...

installing an internal HDD would be the best way to do it, jumper the old as SLAVE and the NEW as MASTER, unplug the old drive and do a fresh install on the new drive...

add the old drive after you have XP running, that way it will not interfere with the install process...

remove the old data to a partition on the new drive, and format the old...

at least that is what I would do...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

Error Message: Cannot Install Hardware. An Error Occurred During the Installation of the Device

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=810882#appliesto

Installing usb device - "the data is invalid"
thread779-718114

Just a guess.

The "Data is Invalid" might be because of a Permissions problem, possibly in the Registry?

How To Reset Security Settings Back to the Defaults

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=313222

 

[Sympology]

Have you formatted the drive?

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[tlcscousin]

http://www.xtra.co.nz/help/0,,6156-1359658,00.html

The link describes editing the registry and finding the USB device and changing permissions on the key. As always back up the key in question before making changes.

 

[Sympology]

I use CC Cleaner to clear up space on the drive. Good for getting rid of old uninstyall files, hotfix back ups. On a first time wipe, usually pull back 300 - 500mb

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[JCGSTL]

Thanks for all the suggestions. In the end I cut my losses and installed a new hard drive and re-installed Windows. This seems to have done the job!!