Disappearing USB Flash Drive

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Amber - 19 Sep 2006 19:53 GMT

(MAC MINI OSX 10.3.9) 1 GB USB Flash Drive in USB Hub appears on Mac
Desktop until VPC is opened, then disappears from MAC desktop. When
Windows is Shut Down (and VPC) goes back to "Not Runnning) the Icon
never returns. The only way to get it back on the Mac Desktop (so far)
is to restart the Mac.
Allied to this is that when the Flash Drive Icon on the Mac Desktop
'disappears' a window opens with a RED Warning (DEVICE REMOVAL!!!!)
ETC.

USB settings in VPC are (enable USB)(only item shown but not checked is
the mac printer (which won't work as there is no driver for it for a
Windows XP PC)

What's missing? Surely there is a better way?, or procedure? Or?

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justsomeguy@austin.rr.com - 23 Sep 2006 03:46 GMT

As I understand it, the USB device can only be used for either Mac or
Windows, not both...that's why when you enable it under VPC, it
suddenly becomes 'invisible' to the Mac OS. Maybe if, before shutting
down VPC, you (a) ejected the USB device using the little Windows USB
double green arrow icon at bottom right of screen, so Windows tells you
it's OK to remove the USB device, and then (b) went back and
de-selected the USB device in the PC Settings window, and then (c) shut
down VPC, it might permit the Mac OS to re-capture the USB device
without a re-boot. Maybe.

Hope this works;

> (MAC MINI OSX 10.3.9) 1 GB USB Flash Drive in USB Hub appears on Mac
> Desktop until VPC is opened, then disappears from MAC desktop. When
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> What's missing? Surely there is a better way?, or procedure? Or?

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Helpful Harry - 23 Sep 2006 04:12 GMT

> > (MAC MINI OSX 10.3.9) 1 GB USB Flash Drive in USB Hub appears on Mac
> > Desktop until VPC is opened, then disappears from MAC desktop. When
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Hope this works;

There are problems with USB devices in Virtual PC, but I have also
noticed a problem with just Mac OS X (without Virtual PC even
installed) losing track of the USB Flash drive when it's plugged into
one of the keyboard sockets - possibly something to do with the mouse
going to "sleep". Plugging the drive into the USB socket on the back of
the Mac seems to fix that hiccup.

Helpful Harry
Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)

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Mac Forum / Applications / Virtual PC / September 2006

Disappearing USB Flash Drive