Microsoft KB Archive/943986

= If you reconnect a removable storage device to a Windows Vista-based computer, Windows Vista cannot find the removable storage device =

Article ID: 943986

Article Last Modified on 12/19/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
 * On Windows Vista-based computer, you connect a removable storage device, such as a USB device, to the computer. After you do that, Windows Vista assigns a drive letter to the removable device in the system device context.
 * You disconnect the removable device from the computer, and then you map a network drive by using the drive letter that was previously assigned to the removable device.

In this scenario, if you reconnect the removable storage device to the computer, Windows Vista cannot find the device.

Note If you disconnect the network drive, the drive letter is assigned to the removable storage device, and you can access the device.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Vista service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, x64-based versions


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about a similar issue on a Windows XP-based computer, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

297694 New drive or mapped network drive not available in Windows Explorer

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbqfe kbhotfixserver kbexpertiseadvanced kbfix KB943986

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