| |
You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Understanding Computers > Understanding Computers > flash drive
Expert: Brian Benosky
Date: 9/1/2008
Subject: flash drive
Question
In the AllExperts computer catagories I looked for one called "Stupidity", but you all were nice and did not list one for people like me. I have had a computer for many years and know a little bit, but this little flash drive thing has really beaten me down! I have this bookkeeping program that I use and want to backup my work. The program has clear instructions on how to do it:
Insert flash drive,
Run program,
Choose file maintenance-backup,
Choose drive (which is drive M)
Click backup.
I do all that. Then I close the program, go to my computers and open drive M----Nothing! Isn't the flash drive supposed to open and show what all is on there?
I feel so dumb--I know that my 10 year old grandson could probably help me, but he lives in another state.
Can you help me? I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks, Linda
Answer
Hi Linda
Don't get down on yourself, and don't let the computer beat you down. The answer may not be so simple, so you'll need to try a few things. Check if the USB drivers on your computer (Go to Start --> Control Panel --> System --> Hardware --> Device Manager). Make sure that there a no little yellow exclamations or red X's next to your USB devices. If there are, you may need to reinstall the USB drivers. If everything checks out, try turning off the pc, and power off the power supply if you have a switch on it and unplug the pc power cable. Leave it disconnected for few minutes. This clears any residual power on the motherboard. Then reconnect it and turn it back on. Now see if you can open the M drive. Finally, you can try reformatting the USB drive (this will erase any information on it). Right click the USB icon in the system tray. If it asks you if you want to format it, click format, then when the format menu comes up, set the format type as FAT. Then click the start button at the bottom of them menu. When it asks if you want to proceed, click yes and let it format the drive. Again, this will wipe anything that is on the drive off of it and make it a clean drive. Then you can unplug the drive, put it back in, and the computer will go into the add hardware routine. After it is done, try your backup program again. If none of this works, let me know.
Brian
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
