USB flash drive suddenly no longer recognized by vista and xp

[kerf3]

I am looking for suggestions to fix usb drive.

The flash drive worked fine for months but failed to be recognized by either XP or Vista machines today.

 

A same pop up window states that "usb device is not recognized" and the drive is no longer visible in win explorer. (see attached screen captures of the messages). So I can't even attempt to format or repair it.

 

There was not anything different that I did with this drive. However I was able to pull out a 'ball' of dust from the drive when it first failed. Nothing changed after I got the dust out. So maybe there was a short circuit?

 

When I insert the drive half way the light begins to blink. If I then insert the drive completely, I get the above message (usb device is not recognized) and the light goes out.

 

Any thought?

 

I am prepared to crack open the case and perhaps rewire the circuit. Has anyone successfully tried that before?

 

Thank you in advance.

[hazelnut]

When you go into Device Manager and do view>show hidden devices, are there any usb devices listed as unknown or greyed out?

 

If so, try uninstalling them and rebooting. Then try your usb flash drive again.

[kerf3]

When you go into Device Manager and do view>show hidden devices, are there any usb devices listed as unknown or greyed out?

 

If so, try uninstalling them and rebooting. Then try your usb flash drive again.

 

 

 

I don't see anything... (included is my Device Manager with show-hidden-devices screenshot )

[CTskifreak]

I don't see anything... (included is my Device Manager with show-hidden-devices screenshot )

 

Um....it says Unknown Device right there. It's the one right in the middle.

 

AJ