:x :x? I have just set up my new Dell laptop straight from the box and have tried to connect my USB external hard drive to it but keep getting error message that USB device is not recognized and or malfunctioning and that windows can't recognize it!! The hard drive works on evey other computer in my house 4 in all total with not one problem. I have went to windows update and took care of all that...I have done as suggested on another post uninstalled all the USB devices and storage volumes but nothing has helped. Someone PLEASE give me a hand with this....Dell computer tech suport is clueless!!!!

Yoinks!! You come to us after Dell Tech Support....

Welcome to PCHF.

Please post the full make and model of the hard drive here, along with the Dell model number (Optiplex GX blah blah...or whatever).

:oops: Sorry about that!!! Anyway the laptop is a Dell Inspirion 2200 with a 1.6 processor and 512 for the mem. Running XP SP2. The external USB hard drive is a Maxtor Personal Storage model 3100 w/external power supply and a USB for connectivity to laptop. I am disabled and all this added stress is giving me fits! I bought the lap top and the drive to make things easier for me, not harder....darn it all! :-( Thanks again for any help anyone can give me on this mess!

Sorry to hear you're getting strassed about this...

Connect the hard drive and download/run this: Maxtor Personal Storage 3100 Diagnostic Utility

Post your findings....if it works, of course. :-P

Wow, looks like im not the only one that is having USB dramas at the moment.

If you check my thread i am having a similar problem to yours.

Anyways, check this out.. might help you. Not too sure:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;817900

Haleluya!!! I have found the answer to not just my problem but to other USB related issues as well!!! It seems there is a problem with shielded USB 2.0 cables and some Intel USB controllers, for sure the 82801's.? I actually ran across the solution by accident as I switched the USB cable from a shielded 2.0 cable to an unshielded 1.1 cable and the drive then was recognized by windows with NO problems. I just got off the phone with Maxtor and was told that the first person I talked with didn't know what they were talking about and that they are working on a fix for the problem as we spoke. Also they told me not to use the 1.1 cable as there is a risk of corruption to files and possible damage to the drive. They suggested that I order a PCMCIA USB 2.0 card and that it would have it's own drivers and thus would solve the problem until a fix can be found. I have ordered one costing me only $17.19. Heck I have blown that much on junk before so what they hey, even if it doesn't solve the issue I will have two more ports for other things. It seems as I was told other manufacturers are haveing the same thing going on and are also looking for a fix! The problems involve not only USB hard drives but some printers and camera's and other drives as well. So I hope this sheds light on this problem and can help others as well. Thank-you to those that have tried to help me with this!!
Patricia

That's great news - glad to see that you have the answer !

Thanks also for taking the time to post the answer so that others may benefit