[RESOLVED] Access USB without installing hardware

[Nightwalker83]

Hi,

Is it possible to access the files and folder on my Seagate GoFlex hard drive without needing to install the hardware on the computer? The reason I'm asking is because I'm at school and during my lunch break when I'm not in class I sometimes use the drop-in center computers. However, for some reason those computer now don't have the hardware for my type of drive installed on them. After I plug my drive in to the computer the "Found New Hardware Wizard" appears asking me to install the software for "FreeAgent GoFlex" (my hard drive) although, when I select "Install software automatically" and click "Next" after a few seconds of scanning I receive message saying "Cannot install this hardware because the wizard can not find the software".

Seeing as it is the schools computers I'm not allowed to install drivers. Which, why I was wondering if there was a way to use the drive without installing the hardware?

Thanks,


Nightwalker

[Lord Orwell]

sorry no. You may be able to browse manually for a compatible driver in the list, but probably not.

plus, since this is a new issue, it's possible the admins detected usb drive use and took steps to prevent it by removing all usb drivers on purpose. Someone probably infected one of them this way. I suggest you get a sandisk memory stick. It installs both as a hard drive and a cd rom, and it has worked on every system i've plugged it into except a win2k system, without drivers.

as i am sure you are aware, hardware just doesn't work without drivers, because the OS has no way of even knowing what the device is. The drive reports via polling the name of the device and type but that doesn't even have to be accurate.

[Nightwalker83]

I suggest you get a sandisk memory stick. It installs both as a hard drive and a cd rom, and it has worked on every system i've plugged it into except a win2k system, without drivers.

Well, it is not a total disappointment cause I can use my 4GB SanDisk if I really need to work on those computers. I'm just disappointed that I bought a 500GB hard drive can not use it on all the school computers (only those the I.T students use).

[Lord Orwell]

you might consider getting a cable-based usb adapter or docking station for the drive, and try hooking that iup nstead. I have a cable one i got on ebay, and even my wii reads it.