Can't load driver for external hard drive

[nbfanc]

I am trying to connect an external Seagate hard drive through a USB to my Windows 8.1 laptop. It has worked in the past, but now the computer does not see it. The computer does give the welcome chortle when connected and also the disconnnect chortle.

It can be found in Device manager which tells me that it cannot load the driver.

The exact statement from the General properties window in Device Manager is:

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

{Unable to Load Device Driver}
%hs device driver could not be loaded.
Error Status was 0x%x


I have tried updating the driver, but I am told I have the latest version. It is a Microsoft Driver 6.3.9600.16384 dated 6/21/2006.


The drive does not appear in Disk Management. I have tried other USB ports. I also connected another external drive and the same thing happens.

Any ideas?

 

[Paul NZ]

Is an Acronis program installed?

This can cause this error, when using an external hdd

Because it may add it's own driver to the upper/lower filter entries in the registry. Result that error

You'll get a similar error if you install something like daemontools, or some dvd emulation program.

It'll add something to the above and your DVD will get an error 19

 

[nbfanc]

No, but one was installed (I believe that Seagate Diskwizard is an Acronis product). But when it wouldn't recognize the disc (my first indication something was wrong) I uninstalled and tried to reinstall it. But it wouldn't recognize the drive and thus wouldn't install.

But that may be the problem. What do I do about it?

 

[Paul NZ]

Try this leave the hdd plugged in. Go to its entry in device manager, dbl click on the entry. Go to details tab.

Select class upper filters, then class lower filters. What comes up under value?

Lower should be ehstorclass. Upper should be partmgr

 

[nbfanc]

Lower is EhStorClass, but there is also a second entry "vidsflt53."

Upper is PartMgr, but again there is a second entry "snapman."

 

[nbfanc]

Also I noticed in the Device Manager an entry for Acronis Backup Archive Explorer under Acronis Devices. I am not sure what that is, there are no Acronis programs installed.

 

[Paul NZ]

That'll be the prob. We need to go into the registry and delete vidsflt53 and snapman.

Go to run or press windows key + r type regedit.

It tells you here. Just found it.

Delete the entries with vidsflt53 as well. Then reboot. Then it should work

Just go to number 6 in the above link. Dont think you have to follow whats under it

 

[Paul NZ]

Also I noticed in the Device Manager an entry for Acronis Backup Archive Explorer under Acronis Devices. I am not sure what that is, there are no Acronis programs installed.

Delete it after you fix the registry then reboot

 

[nbfanc]

Excellent! Thanks so very much.

 

[Paul NZ]

Sweet happy to help