My computer doesn't recognize my smartphone

[simpler]

I recently got my Google myTouch and I've been eager to load music onto it. But it's been like pulling teeth.

 

My OS doesn't recognize the device I've plugged into the USB port. Any of the 4 USB ports in the front. Oh, it's fine for recharging the phone. It just isn't able to communicate with it.

 

When I plug the phone into a USB port, there is almost never an acknowledgment from the computer. No sound, no dialog box. If something appears, it's an "unknown hardware" error message from the taskbar.

 

I've tried 2 different cables. I've checked all the USB items in the Device Manager. I've tried syncing songs in Winamp, but the right-click menu in Winamp doesn't include drive G.

 

Once, while I was on the phone to T-Mobile, some miracle happened and I was able to sync about 500 songs. But that was just a one-time fluke. When I tried to connect for more songs, it was back to the same old non-recognition.

 

The T-Mobile technician says the device is plug-and-play; there are no drivers involved, it's just an extra drive into which you can copy files.

 

MY OS is Windows XP Home. I've upgraded to SP3 and updated all the drivers I've found at the Dell site.

 

I've got to go to work now, but when I get back home I'll do another test.

 

But for the time being I'm asking: What next?

[terry1966]

try turning the phone off, connect it with the usb cable, then turning it on..

[simpler]

I've alreadly done that, over and over and over again.

 

Also detaching and reattaching the cable, at both ends, using a different cable and detaching it and reattaching it at both ends, and powering the computer on and off. Over and over and over again.

 

It's time for a new solution.

Edited September 12, 2009 by simpler

[terry1966]

only thing i can think of is try a different usb port when it's switched on.

[simpler]

I've tried all four USB ports in the front of the tower. Over and over and over again.

 

Time for something different.

[terry1966]

try a back one, the front ones might have a fault, but if it still doesn't work the only thing else i can suggest is try a different pc, might just be a faulty phone.

[simpler]

Try a different PC? You mean I should try a PC that does NOT have the files I want to transfer to my phone?

Edited September 12, 2009 by simpler

[terry1966]

well you can't transfer files until it's seen....

 

so try a different pc to see if it gets seen...

 

if it does then that would rule out a faulty phone...

 

yes...

 

 

then you'll know it's something to do with your pc.

[simpler]

It's all right, Terry. I figured out how it works. You have to tap an item in a pull-down menu and another item in a dialogue box. Once you've done that, the computer recognizes the device. I synced so much music this morning that my next step is putting in a new memory card

 

Thanx for the help.

Edited September 12, 2009 by simpler

[terry1966]

wasn't much help...

 

but glad you figured it out,

 

it always frustrates me too when things don't work like you expect them to,

and you just know it's something simple that would get it working,

but you just can't figure out what little thing is.