Vista Driver Problems installing a USB Media Reader – A solution!

Summary

I had difficulties in installing USB flash card readers with Vista.

I had tried products by both Kingston and Belkin :

  • Belkin F5U271
  • Kingston FCR-HS215/1

Each time Windows tried to get a driver online and asked for a CD with a driver. But there was no success.

Eventually I found a solution. To skip to the solution see “Detailed Solution Steps” below.

Problem Research

I sent an email to Kingston and telephoned them in the UK. Amazingly there was prompt help via both routes. However they gave slightly different solutions.

Their most detailed response was…

Thank you for contacting Kingston Technical Support.

Note that Windows Vista does not require any drivers for the DataTraveler.

1. Insert drive and wait for about 20 seconds to see if the driver installation is slow.

2. During device driver search, point to a location Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository and enable “Include subfolders” in the Browse window.

If this fails, point to one of the subfolders within FileRepository:

FileRepository\usbstor.inf_…

FileRepository\disk.inf_…

FileRepository\volume.inf_…

FileRepository\wpdfs.inf_…

3. If FileRepository location(s) doesn’t work, point to location Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers and enable “Include subfolders” in the Browse window.

4. Check Device Manager for incorrectly installed drivers for the DataTraveler; uninstall them and reinsert the drive.

I tried all this and still no success. Each time Vista reported “The system cannot find the file specified”.

After searching the web for a couple of frustrating hours I cam across this entry by WickedMX…

I’ve been experiencing the same problem with usb storage devices for the last few weeks and have visited numerous forums discussing it. After having no joy I decided to take a look around my system folders and have now got these devices working again. While looking around I discovered 2 points of interest:

  • In C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository I had two folders named “usbstor.inf” but each one had a different set of numbers attached to the end of the folder name. - could this be where part of the problem lies?
  • When I looked in my C:\Windows\inf folder I discovered the usbstor.inf and usb stor.pnf files were missing - this definitely had to be an issue.

Once I discovered these anomalies, I proceeded to copy the pnf and inf files from the most recently updated usbstor.inf folder to C:\Windows\inf. I then went back to the update driver wizard, pointed to the inf folder and what do you know but they all started working again.

So with some scepticism I tried this approach and it worked.

Detailed Solution Steps

1. Go to C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository

Find files named usbstore…


2. Choose the most recent usbstor folder

Open the folder

You’ll see a number of files…


3. Select and copy usbstor.inf

4. Now go to C:\Windows\Inf

Paste the usbstor.inf file into this folder (On my system there was no usbstor.inf file already in this folder).

5. Now try again to install the reader

When Vista reports it cannot find a driver direct it to C:\Windows\Inf

If all goes well you will see the following information from Vista


Footnote

I don’t know whether this approach works with other types of USB device on Vista or other card readers but it certainly worked for me.

This entry was written by teknobabble, posted on August 18, 2007 at 1:41 pm, filed under USB, Vista and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback.

212 Responses

Write a Comment» 1 2 3 4 5
  1. Anonymous
    January 10, 2008 at 4:15 pm | Reply

    very good thnks

  2. THANK YOU!!!!
    January 12, 2008 at 5:41 am | Reply

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! OMG!! I SEARCHED AND SEARCHED! THIS FINALLY WORKED!!!! YEAH!!! THANK YOU!!!

  3. Ick Bin's
    January 13, 2008 at 11:10 pm | Reply

    Merci!!! It just worked perfectly! You’re good!!!

    Thanx again!

  4. Iris
    January 16, 2008 at 10:08 am | Reply

    I did everything you said i put that file into windows\inf but it still said to install the driver( which is my ipod shuffle) anything else that I can do?

  5. Anonymous
    January 17, 2008 at 10:34 pm | Reply

    If you’re not comfortable with the registry, don’t do this!

    Solution:

    1. In the run command (Start menu bar) type “regedit” to bring up the Registry Editor.

    2. In Registry Editor, navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

    3. In the details pane, double-click DevicePath.

    4. Add a semi-colon to end of the existing text, and then add the path to %SystemRoot%\System32\DriverStore\filerepository. The result should be similar to:

    %SystemRoot%\inf;%SystemRoot%\System32\DriverStore\filerepository

    Do not remove the %SystemRoot%\inf file path from the DevicePath registry entry.

    5. Click OK to save the new value, and then close Registry Editor.

    6. Open device manager, uninstall all unknown devices (right click, uninstall) so they all disappear from the list, then use the icon at the top to “Scan for Hardware Changes.” You’ll get a prompt to locate device drivers, click it, and you’re done.

  6. Iomega Network Hard Drive
    January 20, 2008 at 3:31 pm | Reply

    [...] maar wat op tinternet gezocht, en al vrij snel een oplossing gevonden, dankzij dit bericht op Teknobabble’s Weblog! Na het volgen van de instructies én een keer opnieuw opstarten, [...]

  7. RS
    January 21, 2008 at 3:59 pm | Reply

    thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s an amazing solution!!!!!

  8. Thom
    January 22, 2008 at 12:25 am | Reply

    Juste une mise a jour du pilote manuellement dans “C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\usbstor” (le plus recent) a fonctionné à merveille pour ma corsair flash voyager 16G sur asus F9s

    Merci je me voyais deja la revendre sur ebay un peu decu……..

  9. Jen
    January 22, 2008 at 6:04 am | Reply

    Thank you so much…. it works for my Sandisk 512mb thumbdrive!!!!!

  10. blueiguane
    January 24, 2008 at 2:58 am | Reply

    Could you please explain, what do you mean when you say : Do not remove the %SystemRoot%\inf file path from the DevicePath registry entry.

    Because at the end, I have only one devicepath; %SystemRoot%\inf;%SystemRoot%\System32\DriverStore\filerepository : the file that I’ve just changed its path..

    And in the device manager, i have any unknow device. Only when i install my flash voyager; an another usb mass storage device appears, then it is said that the material doesn’t have a “valid material’s identification number” !!

    I’ve already copied usbstor.inf and UBSTOR.sys to the inf file!

    My laptop is Asus – Vista

    Help me please !!!

  11. dazzathethai
    January 25, 2008 at 1:33 pm | Reply

    I followed the above directions, only problem there is no usbstor.inf file on my computer anywhere!!!

    In the file repository/usbstore

    there is

    component.man
    usbstor
    usbstor.pdf
    usbstor.sys

    the usbstor file has the same Icon as the usbstor.inf file in the description above, so I tried that but to no look

    Any ideas

    obviously done a search on the pc for usbstor.inf, nothing found

  12. Raider_58
    January 27, 2008 at 4:33 am | Reply

    Dude I bow and grateful respect to you. I’d guive you a beer, hell no a whole SIX pack!! if I’d know yah. thanks

  13. Green and Peace
    January 27, 2008 at 3:15 pm | Reply

    Great info for me! It’s been a very annoying problem to me! Now that it worked out perfectly as I followed exactly the process as had been described in great details in the thread!

    Thanks again for the great effort!

  14. xen007
    January 30, 2008 at 6:03 pm | Reply

    Thanks you are a lifesaver

  15. george
    January 30, 2008 at 6:51 pm | Reply

    I cant find usbstor.inf… is this possible??? its nowhere!

  16. Markus
    January 30, 2008 at 7:53 pm | Reply

    THANK YOU! I OWE MY LIFE TO YOU!
    If there’s any way to repay you, someday, tell me!

    You are absolutely amazing, no less.

  17. michael
    February 2, 2008 at 11:23 am | Reply

    awesome. techos in the vista team need to see this.

  18. Bill
    February 2, 2008 at 4:51 pm | Reply

    Great solution. This was driving me nuts. Searched all over, microsoft had no solution.

    Thanks a million

  19. Karen
    February 2, 2008 at 7:51 pm | Reply

    You are the DADDY!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  20. Steve
    February 3, 2008 at 11:17 pm | Reply

    WOW…Thanks…Vista finally recognized my PSP

  21. Mr_Speedy
    February 10, 2008 at 5:12 pm | Reply

    Thank you so much!

    I had the same problem, and I even installed Service Pack 1 for Vista (RC1 I think) thinking it would rectify the problem. It does not!

    I followed the steps given above plus these below, and it fixed my problem.

    SP1 removed the “Install Driver” dialogue, and the computer only beeped when I plug/unplug the USB device – nothing else. So I had to manually go to Device Manager and tell it to “Update Driver Software”. It installed, and all is now fine.

    Thanks!

  22. Michelle
    February 17, 2008 at 6:10 am | Reply

    None of this has worked for me. I don’t have the .inf file, so I followed Kim’s instructions and I don’t get the pop up window saying there was an update. I’m actually trying to connect VCast to hook up my computer and my cell phone. None of this was necessary on XP so I have no idea what’s going on.

  23. Sebastian
    February 18, 2008 at 2:35 pm | Reply

    you are the best

  24. Juice
    February 19, 2008 at 7:17 pm | Reply

    OH MY GOD , GOD BLESS YOU , THANK YOU SO MUCH , !!! ITS SOLVED!

  25. Vadim
    February 20, 2008 at 7:08 pm | Reply

    THANKS FROM RUSSIA!

  26. xerty
    February 25, 2008 at 9:01 pm | Reply

    Thanks a ton. You are a life saver.

  27. Phate
    February 26, 2008 at 1:37 am | Reply

    Aha! Finally the solution to get my usb storage devices working again. I was missing usbstor too

  28. Calzzani
    February 26, 2008 at 1:43 am | Reply

    Finally !!!!!!

    Thanks

  29. Nich666
    February 27, 2008 at 3:10 pm | Reply

    You can find and download the usbstor.inf file here if it is not on your computer, (mine wasn’t) ~

    http://www.infdump.com/download-inf-files_new.php/inffiles/U/USBSTOR.INF/5.1.2600.0/download.html

    Thank you for taking the trouble to publish. Can someone who knows anyone in the Vista R/D Department forward this blog to them at Microsoft?

  30. Brian
    February 28, 2008 at 5:33 am | Reply

    You are my hero, thank you so much

  31. Michelle
    February 29, 2008 at 5:07 am | Reply

    Thank you for the link Nich666, but I still get stuck at step 5. I’m sure I’m not doing something right, but I really appreciate the help.

  32. Mel5454
    February 29, 2008 at 7:56 am | Reply

    After days of searching and struggling I found this answer. It works!!

    Many thanks

  33. yankyslanky
    February 29, 2008 at 11:17 pm | Reply

    Thank you thank you thank you! It was so easy and it worked wonders.

  34. bobby
    March 1, 2008 at 7:51 am | Reply

    Oh hell yea u are the man i been searching everywhere for a fix and whammo u fixed tytytytyty

  35. taz5546
    March 1, 2008 at 2:05 pm | Reply

    thanks for the fix tried m-s hotfix with no joy accidently found your blog and two months grief is now fixed
    thankyou so much from the UK

  36. rUbi
    March 3, 2008 at 4:42 pm | Reply

    THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!
    It taken tons of nerves off me :) )

  37. anurag
    March 4, 2008 at 9:17 pm | Reply

    thanks a lot budy ………….

  38. anurag
    March 4, 2008 at 9:20 pm | Reply

    thanks a lot dude ………….from last 1 month i was searching some solution for this problem………….finally u gave me ……..thxs

  39. Yursul
    March 6, 2008 at 4:51 pm | Reply

    Great thanks from Russia!!!!
    I could not find way out. All my flash usb, digital cameras didnt work. And now it`s ok!!!
    Thank you again!!!!!

  40. Peter
    March 6, 2008 at 8:24 pm | Reply

    Your are a genius, i feel so greatful.
    The best thing Microsoft could do, is to give us a free update to XP, these where the golden times, when everything I wanted, the computer did for me. Now it is reversed.

  41. Oanh
    March 11, 2008 at 7:36 am | Reply

    i have a vaio laptop, the file usbstor.inf is there, but still doesn’t work
    hix!!!
    when i bought the vaio weeks ago, usbs work properly, i just don’t know what’s wrong!!!

  42. Patrick Fukuda
    March 11, 2008 at 6:13 pm | Reply

    Thanks From Brazil!!!! save man….

  43. MC
    March 13, 2008 at 9:58 am | Reply

    Thanks so much from Asturias, Spain.

  44. Ajangs
    March 15, 2008 at 1:43 pm | Reply

    Hey my friend, you are superman times a million
    It worked great. Thank you Thank you Thank you a million.

  45. Sahar
    March 15, 2008 at 5:06 pm | Reply

    I dont know why Vista is so rubbish. After 1 month of trying other solutions, yours finally wortked. I will send your solution to western digital for their portable external harddrive. MANY THANKS

    sahar
    http://www.MercyMankind.org

  46. Radu
    March 20, 2008 at 6:32 pm | Reply

    Man you rock. I’ve been searching for a soultion for weeks now.

    Thanks a lot.

  47. Leandro
    March 21, 2008 at 9:18 pm | Reply

    Don´t work with Kingston 4 GB PEN DRIVER. :(

    Hugs from brazil waiting SP1 to Windows Vista portuguese

  48. Simon Beverton
    March 22, 2008 at 6:15 am | Reply

    Just tried this for my Sandisk Cruzer U3 – which thought it was a CD drive. It worked great. You absolutely rule.

  49. Ian
    March 22, 2008 at 8:37 pm | Reply

    Thanks a lot mate, problem solved! Nice one!

  50. T
    March 22, 2008 at 10:36 pm | Reply

    I edited the registry and added FileRepository and now when i chose locate and install driver i get the error

    “windows found driver software for your device but there was an error while attempting to install it”

    standard serial over bluetooth link

    the system cannot find the specified file

    (im trying to install a standard USB mouse by the way)

    i bought my laptop (HP compaq 6710b) from my school and when i got it home i got the whole blue screen stop error i didnt think to record the driver that crashed.

    any suggestions?

    thanks.

1 2 3 4 5

Leave a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared.