Recent content by John Biddle

Interesting idea but I don't have one and know nothing about using linux. I see there are DVD drives that say they need no software. Does that mean I could use that drive to boot from with a Windows boot dvd I create on my other PC?

I did that, no luck. Guess I'll just have to buy an external dvd for the nonworking PC that started this whole mess. I will be able to boot that PC from the external DVD drive, right? Same as if it was a thumb drive? Since I can't get this PC to boot properly, can I install the software to read...

Yes, I regularly use Spybot. I'm running it again Just in case after an update.

I found an old small one, got the beeps but it doesn't show up in File Manager either.

I get the same "The device is not ready" error msg.

View: https://imgur.com/rR497c5

I tried to initialize and got a "The device is not ready" error msg.

Doesn't show a size.

Choice of MBR or GPT. With this old PC should I choose MBR even though GPT is the default? Note says GPT partition style is not recognized by all previous versions of Windows.

This has always been a personal PC. All 3 thumbs are the same brand/size, bought in a 5 pack. Four have worked before including 2 of the 3 I'm trying to use now. I checked Disk Manager: First 2 thumbs I tried didn't show up. Third one did but gave me message: You must initialize a disk...

Checked BIOS and drivers and update, all good. Followed your instructions, all back working but USBs still won't recognize the thumb drives (3 of them, multiple ports). USBs beep as expected when I connect them to either front port but don't show up in File Manager, but the red LED on the thumb...

It's a Dell XPS 8900. System Summary under System Information just gives me a spinner. Eventually got error msg: Cannot access the Windows Instrumentation Software. I believe it's a Dell proprietary mobo. Just standard original equipment components no enhanced video. 16G memory win 10 Home...

My PC, which seems to work as always in every other respect, will no longer recognize my USB thumb drives. It does recognize my external hard drive and my phone. I've tried multiple different thumb drives on multiple different USB ports with no luck. The PC beeps when I connect them as if it...

Yeah, I've reached that conclusion as well. Thanks for your help and I wish you and yours the very best of a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

It's out of the system. OK on new thread.