Windows does not read Portable devices. Error code 31 in device manager

Question

Hello I have search through the questions and answers however no suggestions seem to help my issue.

My portable devices(camera canonA3300, iphone, or anything else that is MTP) use to work perfectly. It wasn't until yesterday nothing was being read. However when i plugged them in i could hear the connected sound. I tried these devices on another computer and they work perfectly.

I went immediately to computer management>device manage> portable device  and I notice a yellow exclamation point triangle on every device. Even empty removable disks like (F:, G:, H:, I:)

I checked the properties of the devices containing the yellow triangle and it states. "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)

What I did in attempt to fix this issue.

1. I restarted my computer thinking it would be a quick fix but no progress 
2. I uninstalled the device Drivers. However upon plugging back my device the yellow triangle would reappear on all devices and error code 31.
3. I begin to notice software not working like my printers scanner. So I decided to system restore. upon doing system restore i had an error 0x80070005

I google the error code and it said it was an access denied error due to my anti virus conflicting to the restore.

4. I deleted my anti virus and tried to system restore again the same error persists 0x80070005.
5. Continue to google and find no solution. I went in safe mode and attempted system restore.
6. This fixes the code 0x80070005 and successfully does system restore. 
7. in joy thinking this had fixed all my issues it still remains as triangles.
8. i goggled code 31 and came to an about article on code 31 and followed the solutions. I had done everything it states but not delete "upperfilters and lower filters registry value" I proceed with the instruction and deleted these registries but it did not help my issue the triangles and code 31 where there.
9. I found Microsofts fix it software for "hardware and devices" however all this crummy software does is uninstall and re install the driver which is what I have already done! i tried to send the feed back but as suspected errors appear.
10. I tried windows " find and fix problems with devices" software and does exactly what the fix it software does.

I am now here and stuck. This is a work computer where there are estimates made for work and I need to import photos from my camera to place on the estimate. I've pulled out half my hair. 

System recovery is not an option. too many important software and data on this computer. I have it backed up but im not taking 20+ hours to re install everything.

specs:

HPE-540f

CPU: i5 2400 3.10

ram 8gb

64 bit

windows 7 home premium

Answer 1

This is a no go. I can't even connect a external hardrive to back up my files.

I'm going to buy a internal harddrive to connect to sata and then format and transfer files that way.

Answer 2

Hello,

Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue.

I would suggest you to try steps provided in this link and check if it helps.

Windows 7 doesn't recognize my USB devices

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/fr-FR/7f54276d-5f7d-4995-86ef-5aab66404837/windows-7-doesnt-recognize-my-usb-devices?forum=w7itprohardware

Important Notes:

Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk. 

Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-registry

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps from section “How to reset the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting” to reset the computer to start as usual.

I hope this helps.

Thank you

Answer 3

I've tried to do roll back before you mentioned it and that did not work at all because there is no roll back option on my drivers. 

I've tried all 3 methods you posted and none have work I've tried to install all drivers but no fix.

i have a copy of windows professional and I attempted to upgrade since I have home premium. I installed the pro copy of windows on a usb stick and tried to upgrade my computer when I tried running it it told me to use upgrade windows anytime. When I inputted my serial key it say this key was not able to be used for upgrade anything. This is seriously becoming a huge pain. Im not technologically handicap and I have Fixed my way out of other issues but this is seriously a huge bug which I cannot fix.

Answer 4

Hello sorry I went on a small vacation.

I have not made any hardware Changes, I do not touch the computer internally.

I have not made any software changes or installs.

Anything I connect to my computer besides keyboard,mouse and USB sticks is not read.

I have attempted to connect 2 Iphones, 2 camera, 1 webcam, 1 printer scanner and none seems to be read but it does show up on device manager.

I will do all your suggestion and thank you for taking the time to reply.

Answer 5

Hello,

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft Community forum.

Also, thank you for the detailed information.

I would like to know some information about the issue so that we could help you better.

Have you made any hardware or software changes to your computer recently?

It seems that your computer has lost drivers of many devices.

I would suggest you to try using steps provided in these Microsoft help articles and check if it helps.

Refer:

What to do when a device isn't installed properly

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/what-to-do-when-a-device-isnt-installed-properly

Restore a driver to its previous version

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/restore-driver-previous-version#1TC=windows-7

Also, please update all the drivers from this link and check the issue.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=4063&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=5068324

I hope this information helps.

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you