My friend saved by his works onto my flash drive which was detectable/openable, but …
The very next day, the drive wouldn't show up in My Computer and Windows gave him error code 43 (Unknown device).
I tried others few systems that once detected his flash drive but the problem still persisted. I don't know whether or not his flash drive is damaged but when plug/un-plugging, there are still sounds coming out though.
Tried solutions:
- On Vista Home Premium (his computer): Uninstalled –> Restarted computer –> Re-installed (ERROR 43)
- On Windows 7 (my computer): Uninstalled –> Restarted computer –> Can't install (ERROR 43)
It seems that my computer (Windows 7) had the lastest drivers already but still can't detect it.
Its a Kingston DataTraveller 101 (DT101) 8GB.
Could unplugging the flash drive without clicking "Safely Remove Hardware" have caused the problem?
Best Answer
Unknown device generally means Windows can't communicate with the flash drive on a hardware level. Double-check that the contacts in the plug of the flash drive aren't dirty or missing. If they're clean then you're likely out of luck unless it decides to start working. Try tapping it gently against your hand in case something shook loose; If you manage to get it to work, then copy all files off of it, but either way get a new flash drive, and don't trust that one to hold important documents any more.