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why do i lose my drive in my computer after plugging in a firewire or usb device

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and — the setup described (HP DVD on a PCI FireWire card disappearing when an 8‑in‑1 USB card reader is attached to a USB 1.1 hub) most often comes down to driver/host‑controller bugs, USB power/enumeration stress, or PCI resource/driver interactions. Practical, low‑risk checks that isolate the cause and often fix the problem:

  • Test devices one at a time: connect only the FireWire DVD and boot, then only the card reader, then both. Note whether the disappearance is immediate or happens during activity.
  • Bypass the unpowered hub: plug the card reader directly into the PC or into a powered USB hub. A powered hub or a USB 2.0 PCI controller often resolves enumeration/power problems on USB 1.1 systems.
  • Inspect Windows: open Device Manager (My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager) and look for errors under IEEE 1394, DVD/CD-ROM, and USB controllers. Check the System log in Event Viewer for driver errors when the device drops.
  • Driver reset and updates: uninstall/reinstall the IEEE 1394 host controller, update chipset/USB/1394 drivers and any HP firmware available. Vendor 1394 drivers can behave differently—try the Microsoft default if a vendor driver is installed.
  • Hardware checks: swap PCI slots, replace the FireWire cable, confirm the DVD enclosure has required external power, and verify the PC power supply can handle added devices. Testing the drive on another machine separates hardware faults from OS/driver issues.

Common resolutions are adding a powered USB solution or replacing/updating the FireWire/USB host drivers; when changing PCI cards, power down and unplug the PC before working inside.

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Member Avatar for DMR

Could you give us more specific information please?

- Which drive? What type (IDE, SCSI, etc.)?
- What do you mean (exactly) by "lose"?
- Which operating system?

Member Avatar for mmrsandbox

why do i lose my drive in my computer after plugging in a firewire or usb device

the drive that i lose is hp dvd writer plug into firewire happens when i use a 8 in one card reader in a usb hub cpmputer has 1.1 usb the firewire is a pci card

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