USB external DVD drive not visible in file explorer nor in device manager, unable to access the device

Hi Masweig,

This issue could be some issues with the USB device controllers.

Please assist me with the following information related to this issue:

1. Did you try to connect the USB External DVD drive on a different USB port?
2. Did you try to connect a different USB device to your computer and check if the computer recognizes the device?
3. Did you make and changes to the computer prior to this issue? Please follow the methods mentioned below.

Method 1: Check if you are able to see the USB External DVD drive in Disk Management. If you are able to see the USB External DVD drive in Disk Management, follow the steps to assign the drive letter:

1. Press Windows key + X.
2. Select Disk Management.
3. Right-click the drive that you want to change, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.

Do one of the following:

• To assign a drive letter if one has not already been assigned, click Add, click the letter that you want to use, and then click OK.
• To change a drive letter, click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the letter that you want to use, and then click OK.

Method 2: Install the latest Windows Updates.

This method will install the latest device drivers for your USB external DVD drive.

1. Press Windows key + X.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click Check for Updates. After the scan is complete, click Review optional updates.
5. Click the check box next to the updates, then click Install updates. If prompted, review the license agreement, then click I Accept.

Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the updates. If prompted, reboot your computer.

If your problem still exits, proceed to Method 3.

Method 3: I would suggest you to un-install and reinstall USB controllers and check. This method resolves steps where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupted.

1. Press Windows key + X.
2. Select Device Manager.
3. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
4. Right click a device and click Uninstall.
5. Repeat for each device. Once complete, restart your computer.
6. Your USB controllers will automatically install.

If it doesn’t help, I would suggest you to go to the manufacturer website of your computer and install the latest chipset drivers and check.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS035955

For additional information: What if a wired device isn't installed properly?http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/what-device-isnt-installed-properly

Please reply us on the status of the issue to assist you further.

I had the same/similar problem: Lenovo Thinkpad T440S wouldn't recognize a SSD in a external enclosure through any of the USB ports. Other computers had no problems recognizing and using that SSD in the same enclosure through their USB ports.

Solution:

In the BIOS settings (press F1 while booting, make sure FnLck is ON otherwise function key won't be recognized), go to:

BIOS->Config->USB->USB 3.0 Mode

change to "Disabled"

Now the USB ports will run in USB 2.0 Mode.

Now Windows 8.1 had no problem "seeing" the external drive, in Disk Manager, File Explorer, etc.. I was able to clone the factory internal HD to the external SSD, then replace the internal HD with the SSD, and boot up & run with zero problems.

Something isn't quite setup right with the current, most updated USB 3.0 drivers for the T440S (as of Sept 6, 2014).  I gave up trying to figure out why and/or find the fabled drivers that would work.

Hope this helps someone save the 7 hours of time that I lost.