Disk Management crashed ? - That's not a good thing. Are you
sure the System Services for Disk management are running ? Not
sure what else to recommend while the system is unstable.

"RalphieUK" <RalphieUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:37ACD6BC-4BA8-49AF-A433-CDD60B827D7E@microsoft.com...
> Cheers thought it was fixed for a brief moment then Disk Management
> crashed!
> I don't want to format YET AGAIN. Any further suggestions? Thanks
>
> "R. McCarty" wrote:
>
>> Several step process:
>> 1.) Add a System Environment Variable, named
>> DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices
>> set it's value = 1
>> *System Properties, Advanced, Environment Variables
>> System category
>> 2.) Device Manager, Click View - tic/check "Show Hidden
>> Devices
>> 3.) In the following categories, locate all entries shown in
>> diminished tone or grayed out and Right Click, choose
>> uninstall ( Unplug all USB Flash/Drives prior to starting ).
>> a.) Storage Volumes
>> b.) Universal Serial Bus Controllers
>> 1.) All "USB Mass Storage Controllers"
>> c.) Disk Drives
>>
>> Re-plug each Flash/Drive, once enumerated, use DiskMgmt.Msc
>> to set it's Drive Letter assignment to a mid-alphabet letter, such as
>> L or M.
>>
>> "RalphieUK" <RalphieUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6FB97621-DCB8-4EB5-84FB-32E3C346D666@microsoft.com...
>> >I have the same problem and it's driving me crazy as I can't access my
>> >flash
>> > drives or usb card reader. Thanks
>> >
>> > "Ron Carr" wrote:
>> >
>> >> When I plug in a USB external disk drive, or a flash memory card, the
>> >> device
>> >> does not show in Windows Explorer. Disk management shows the disk
>> >> drive
>> >> (not
>> >> the flash memory) but it has no drive letter and I cannot assign one
>> >> (Change
>> >> drive or path grayed out). I do have an E: drive which is evidently
>> >> the
>> >> memory card port on my photo printer - never used. (I have 2 hard
>> >> disks C
>> >> and
>> >> D, my CD and DVD are assigned P and Q).
>> >> Thanks for any help.....I threw away a flash memory card figuring it
>> >> was
>> >> no
>> >> good!
>> >> Ron
>>
>>
>>