Android tablet won't connect to PC?

[Kenny Cargill]

New Android 4 (ICS) tablet, can't get it to connect either via bluetooth or
mini USB cable.
With USB the tablet tells me it's connected but PC doesn't recognise it, it
appears as an unknown device with no drivers loaded.
With bluetooth I slide the onscreen switch to on and it jumps back to off.
Have run the Fixit here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-solving-problems-with-USB-devices
and no difference.
There were no drivers supplied with the tablet and none on mfr's website.
User manual not very helpful, I think it's translated from Chinese.
Don't know if it's a PC or tablet problem.

Kenny

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

New Android 4 (ICS) tablet, can't get it to connect either via bluetooth or
mini USB cable.
With USB the tablet tells me it's connected but PC doesn't recognise it, it
appears as an unknown device with no drivers loaded.
With bluetooth I slide the onscreen switch to on and it jumps back to off.
Have run the Fixit here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-solving-problems-with-USB-devices
and no difference.
There were no drivers supplied with the tablet and none on mfr's website.
User manual not very helpful, I think it's translated from Chinese.
Don't know if it's a PC or tablet problem.

Kenny

Many Android devices connect to USB in the "Charge Only" mode by default
and must be switched to the Mass Storage mode.

If that's true in your case, you get there by accessing the notification
bar. Then select Mass Storage mode.

My computer lacks Bluetooth, so I can't experiment for you.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Many Android devices connect to USB in the "Charge Only" mode by default
and must be switched to the Mass Storage mode.

If that's true in your case, you get there by accessing the notification
bar. Then select Mass Storage mode.

To be a bit clearer: that is done on the Android device, not on the host
computer.

 

[John Ferrell]

My XOOM found the win7 drivers when I plugged it in.

New Android 4 (ICS) tablet, can't get it to connect either via bluetooth or
mini USB cable.
With USB the tablet tells me it's connected but PC doesn't recognise it, it
appears as an unknown device with no drivers loaded.
With bluetooth I slide the onscreen switch to on and it jumps back to off.
Have run the Fixit here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-solving-problems-with-USB-devices
and no difference.
There were no drivers supplied with the tablet and none on mfr's website.
User manual not very helpful, I think it's translated from Chinese.
Don't know if it's a PC or tablet problem.

Kenny

John Ferrell W8CCW

 

[John Ferrell]

I don't think the XOOM charges through the usb port at all.
Fortunately, I bought a stand with a charger before the new puppy
claimed the connector on the wall wart,

To be a bit clearer: that is done on the Android device, not on the host
computer.

John Ferrell W8CCW

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I don't think the XOOM charges through the usb port at all.
Fortunately, I bought a stand with a charger before the new puppy
claimed the connector on the wall wart,

But I'm not really talking about charging, I'm talking about how to
connect an Android device to a computer as a storage device.

You should be focusing on the second paragraph of what I wrote (quoted
below), not the first.

Many Android devices connect to USB in the "Charge Only" mode by default
and must be switched to the Mass Storage mode.

If that's true in your case, you get there by accessing the notification
bar. Then select Mass Storage mode.

You still might be in the wrong mode even if not charging on USB.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

But I'm not really talking about charging, I'm talking about how to
connect an Android device to a computer as a storage device.

You should be focusing on the second paragraph of what I wrote (quoted
below), not the first.


You still might be in the wrong mode even if not charging on USB.

I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

 

[Kenny Cargill]

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message

But I'm not really talking about charging, I'm talking about how to
connect an Android device to a computer as a storage device.

You should be focusing on the second paragraph of what I wrote (quoted
below), not the first.


You still might be in the wrong mode even if not charging on USB.

I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

 

[charlie]

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I
don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but
there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message



I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

The Android has both the 4G SC card and the internal non removable
memory. "you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from
computer" refers to the fact that the Android (as a storage device)
is connected to the P/C, and should be "unmounted" with windows, just as
many USB devices or a memory stick. With the correct card adapters, you
might also remove the SD card from the Android and connect it via the
adapter only.

As to Bluetooth, it takes two Bluetooth devices to "tango".
Even then there can be compatibility problems.

I use an Android "G1", a cell phone. The USB behavior is as others
described, more or less. The G1 has both internal memory and SD card
memory. External access to it's memory via USB is controlled by the G1's
settings, and or it's software via WiFi. It's software can be set to
store "stuff" on the SD card or internal memory. It does have an FTP
program that can be used. A non windows driver is only needed if support
software is installed on a P/C, and the P/C is then used in modes that
store such things as phone related info, logs, and so forth, or
load/save Android ops system modules, etc.


"No Name" Chinese devices are often imperfect "knock offs" of more well
known ones, and less than the original.

 

[Kenny Cargill]

I think I understand about the unmounting but if the tablet isn't seen by
Windows then it can't be unmounted.
As for Bluetooth I use a Bluetooth adapter on PC which works well with
mobile phones, don't know why on tablet the Bluetooth switch won't stay in
the ON position.
Tablet was bought from Amazon UK but I think was shipped from Hong Kong and
I will probably return it as faulty, am first going to try it on another PC
which has Win 7 64 bit, mine has Win 7 32 bit.

Kenny

"charlie" wrote in message

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB
Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I
don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but
there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time
zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message



I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

The Android has both the 4G SC card and the internal non removable
memory. "you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from
computer" refers to the fact that the Android (as a storage device)
is connected to the P/C, and should be "unmounted" with windows, just as
many USB devices or a memory stick. With the correct card adapters, you
might also remove the SD card from the Android and connect it via the
adapter only.

As to Bluetooth, it takes two Bluetooth devices to "tango".
Even then there can be compatibility problems.

I use an Android "G1", a cell phone. The USB behavior is as others
described, more or less. The G1 has both internal memory and SD card
memory. External access to it's memory via USB is controlled by the G1's
settings, and or it's software via WiFi. It's software can be set to
store "stuff" on the SD card or internal memory. It does have an FTP
program that can be used. A non windows driver is only needed if support
software is installed on a P/C, and the P/C is then used in modes that
store such things as phone related info, logs, and so forth, or
load/save Android ops system modules, etc.


"No Name" Chinese devices are often imperfect "knock offs" of more well
known ones, and less than the original.

 

[Paul]

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I
don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but
there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

When it comes to USB connections to multimedia devices, there are
two protocols they can use. And the difference can be spotted in
this thread.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...nstalled/00b4f831-6381-4eae-98ef-f2c00bcdb35b

With USB Mass Storage protocol, one device or the other can access
storage devices on the portable device. When the processor in the
tablet (cellphone or camera) is not using the flash memory, it
can be "pointed" to the desktop computer, and filled up with files.

desktop_computer ---------+ USB mass storage,
\ "flips a switch"
+--- flash_in_mobile
Only one thing at
processor_in_mobile ------+ a time, accesses storage.
You must "unmount" the
file system, before
flipping the switch.
"Safely Remove"...

The other protocol is MTP, or media transfer protocol. The driver
for it, used to come with Windows Media Player. In the thread
above, it would appear that perhaps the software from the
tablet maker, may have a redistributable copy of MTP. MTP allows
both processors to be connected to the flash storage, at the same
time. But MTP also enforced DRM (digital rights management),
and if a song has a "do not copy" bit set, the protocol can prevent
the song file from being copied. So this method has the disadvantage
of preventing you from using your files any way you might want.

desktop_computer ---------+ MTP on USB, allows
\ simultaneous usage.
+--- flash_in_mobile
/ But MTP also enforces
processor_in_mobile ------+ DRM on media files.

In the above thread, some of the users install a Samsung "Kies" software
to talk to their mobile product. If the device doesn't support or use
MTP at all, then nothing special needs to be done, except to
configure the mobile device to not be using the flash itself.
Once the SD card is "flipped" to point to the USB port, then
you can load it up. And when done, a "Safely Remove" from the
Windows side, will dismount the file system on the flash,
before you go back to the tablet screen and take it out of
mass storage mode.

That's the basic principle. As a user, it's your job (using nothing
but wits and the lousy manual), to figure out what protocol is
being used, when and how to flip things, or what software package
needs to be installed to get MTP working.

The Bluetooth path, would be entirely different. And I haven't a clue
as to how many different options might be available there. You'd think
something like Windows File Sharing (SMB/CIFS) style would make
sense, but who knows. But if the USB path supported MTP, you'd think
they'd want a protocol on Bluetooth, that similarly limits (via DRM)
what a user can do with the files.

Paul

 

[charlie]

I think I understand about the unmounting but if the tablet isn't seen
by Windows then it can't be unmounted.

Then it isn't mounted as far as the P/C is concerned.
As others said, Android devices can have more than one mode of
operation, and you may have to select the appropriate mode.
(As I do to access the SD card in the phone as a storage device.)

There are some windows options having to do with removable storage
devices that more or less allow the device to be summarily removed or
plugged in. Remember that you can remove the SD card from the tablet,
and, with a USB to SD card adapter, connect it to the P/C. One of the
advantages is usually transfer speed. One oddity I ran across is that I
can delete a picture file from the SD card with the P/C, yet the phone
still sees it, until I also delete it via the phones software.

Some of the Android devices can get really involved. My son's tablet's
camera can be accessed by a P/C as if it's a stand alone digital camera,
with limited control (picture taking, etc) by the P/C.

As for Bluetooth I use a Bluetooth adapter on PC which works well with
mobile phones, don't know why on tablet the Bluetooth switch won't stay
in the ON position.

Neither do I, but I do know that all bluetooth devices don't work with
all phones or each other. My son went through somewhat of a hassle
involving his cellphone and various bluetooth stuff.

 

[Char Jackson]

As for Bluetooth I use a Bluetooth adapter on PC which works well with
mobile phones, don't know why on tablet the Bluetooth switch won't stay in
the ON position.

Just a wild guess, but my understanding is that BT uses 'profiles', so
when trying to pair two BT devices they will compare their respective
profiles, looking for common ground. If they have no (enabled) profile
in common, they disconnect.

Main BT article at Wikipedia:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth>

BT Profiles at Wikipedia
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_profile>

 

[Kenny Cargill]

After much messing about the tablet appears correctly in Devices and
Printers until I try to access it. Right click and "Browse files" shows
Removable Disk I and Removable Disk J but they are greyed out, also they
don't show in Windows Explorer.
Assuming I & J are the internal memory and the SD card on the tablet could
they maybe need initialised or formatted or something like that?
One oddity in Device Manager which I'm sure wasn't there before is the
appearance under Network Adapters of Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
which has a "This device cannot start (code 10)" message. Have tried
disabling and enabling, uninstall and re-install and
updating driver which tells me the best driver is already installed.

Kenny


"Kenny Cargill" wrote in message

I think I understand about the unmounting but if the tablet isn't seen by
Windows then it can't be unmounted.
As for Bluetooth I use a Bluetooth adapter on PC which works well with
mobile phones, don't know why on tablet the Bluetooth switch won't stay in
the ON position.
Tablet was bought from Amazon UK but I think was shipped from Hong Kong and
I will probably return it as faulty, am first going to try it on another PC
which has Win 7 64 bit, mine has Win 7 32 bit.

Kenny

"charlie" wrote in message

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB
Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I
don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but
there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time
zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message



I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

The Android has both the 4G SC card and the internal non removable
memory. "you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from
computer" refers to the fact that the Android (as a storage device)
is connected to the P/C, and should be "unmounted" with windows, just as
many USB devices or a memory stick. With the correct card adapters, you
might also remove the SD card from the Android and connect it via the
adapter only.

As to Bluetooth, it takes two Bluetooth devices to "tango".
Even then there can be compatibility problems.

I use an Android "G1", a cell phone. The USB behavior is as others
described, more or less. The G1 has both internal memory and SD card
memory. External access to it's memory via USB is controlled by the G1's
settings, and or it's software via WiFi. It's software can be set to
store "stuff" on the SD card or internal memory. It does have an FTP
program that can be used. A non windows driver is only needed if support
software is installed on a P/C, and the P/C is then used in modes that
store such things as phone related info, logs, and so forth, or
load/save Android ops system modules, etc.


"No Name" Chinese devices are often imperfect "knock offs" of more well
known ones, and less than the original.

 

[Kenny Cargill]

The saga continues. Checking the tablet it seems that it only
intermittently sees it's own 8GB NAND storage and the 4GB SD card. Fairly
certain that it's faulty so it's going back for refund and will pick a
different brand.
For anyone interested it is a Zenthink C91.

Kenny

"Kenny Cargill" wrote in message

After much messing about the tablet appears correctly in Devices and
Printers until I try to access it. Right click and "Browse files" shows
Removable Disk I and Removable Disk J but they are greyed out, also they
don't show in Windows Explorer.
Assuming I & J are the internal memory and the SD card on the tablet could
they maybe need initialised or formatted or something like that?
One oddity in Device Manager which I'm sure wasn't there before is the
appearance under Network Adapters of Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
which has a "This device cannot start (code 10)" message. Have tried
disabling and enabling, uninstall and re-install and
updating driver which tells me the best driver is already installed.

Kenny


"Kenny Cargill" wrote in message

I think I understand about the unmounting but if the tablet isn't seen by
Windows then it can't be unmounted.
As for Bluetooth I use a Bluetooth adapter on PC which works well with
mobile phones, don't know why on tablet the Bluetooth switch won't stay in
the ON position.
Tablet was bought from Amazon UK but I think was shipped from Hong Kong and
I will probably return it as faulty, am first going to try it on another PC
which has Win 7 64 bit, mine has Win 7 32 bit.

Kenny

"charlie" wrote in message

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB
Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I
don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but
there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time
zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message



I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

The Android has both the 4G SC card and the internal non removable
memory. "you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from
computer" refers to the fact that the Android (as a storage device)
is connected to the P/C, and should be "unmounted" with windows, just as
many USB devices or a memory stick. With the correct card adapters, you
might also remove the SD card from the Android and connect it via the
adapter only.

As to Bluetooth, it takes two Bluetooth devices to "tango".
Even then there can be compatibility problems.

I use an Android "G1", a cell phone. The USB behavior is as others
described, more or less. The G1 has both internal memory and SD card
memory. External access to it's memory via USB is controlled by the G1's
settings, and or it's software via WiFi. It's software can be set to
store "stuff" on the SD card or internal memory. It does have an FTP
program that can be used. A non windows driver is only needed if support
software is installed on a P/C, and the P/C is then used in modes that
store such things as phone related info, logs, and so forth, or
load/save Android ops system modules, etc.


"No Name" Chinese devices are often imperfect "knock offs" of more well
known ones, and less than the original.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

No wonder you're looking much more alert today

Thanks for telling me. One reason I remarked is that some people ask a
question and never respond, so we never know if their problem was
solved. But since you have posted here from time to time before, I
should have realized I didn't need to worry. Sorry for that.

I see from other replies that you are catching on to what I talked
about, and in fact, what I clipped above says that your device seems to
be in the proper mode. Or is trying to be

From other posts in this discussion, I am coming to agree with you that
the device is faulty.

 

[Kenny Cargill]

The Miniport Adapter error was because of my installing a wi-fi
printer/scanner, initial set up is done via USB and I hadn't removed the
cable when finished!

Kenny

"Kenny Cargill" wrote in message

After much messing about the tablet appears correctly in Devices and
Printers until I try to access it. Right click and "Browse files" shows
Removable Disk I and Removable Disk J but they are greyed out, also they
don't show in Windows Explorer.
Assuming I & J are the internal memory and the SD card on the tablet could
they maybe need initialised or formatted or something like that?
One oddity in Device Manager which I'm sure wasn't there before is the
appearance under Network Adapters of Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
which has a "This device cannot start (code 10)" message. Have tried
disabling and enabling, uninstall and re-install and
updating driver which tells me the best driver is already installed.

Kenny


"Kenny Cargill" wrote in message

I think I understand about the unmounting but if the tablet isn't seen by
Windows then it can't be unmounted.
As for Bluetooth I use a Bluetooth adapter on PC which works well with
mobile phones, don't know why on tablet the Bluetooth switch won't stay in
the ON position.
Tablet was bought from Amazon UK but I think was shipped from Hong Kong and
I will probably return it as faulty, am first going to try it on another PC
which has Win 7 64 bit, mine has Win 7 32 bit.

Kenny

"charlie" wrote in message

Thanks for the replies. When I attach USB cable I get on tablet "USB
Mass
Storage", "USB storage in use. Before turning off USB storage, make sure
you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from computer". I
don't
understand this message, I don't have an SD card attached to PC but
there is
a 4GB card attached to tablet to increase storage from 8GB to 12GB.
Devices and Printers on PC shows Android device with a problem.
Troubleshooting appears to install a driver but it still doesn't show and
the problem re-occurs when tablet disconnected and re-attached.
To Gene re: me not responding last night I may be in a different time
zone,
I'm in the UK and had gone to bed!

Kenny

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message



I realize you're not the OP (unless you're a sock puppet), so maybe you
have no trouble connecting your device to a computer.

As a result, I still want to know whether my advice helped Kenny Cargill
- who isn't talking at the moment.

The Android has both the 4G SC card and the internal non removable
memory. "you have unmounted (ejected) your Android's SD card from
computer" refers to the fact that the Android (as a storage device)
is connected to the P/C, and should be "unmounted" with windows, just as
many USB devices or a memory stick. With the correct card adapters, you
might also remove the SD card from the Android and connect it via the
adapter only.

As to Bluetooth, it takes two Bluetooth devices to "tango".
Even then there can be compatibility problems.

I use an Android "G1", a cell phone. The USB behavior is as others
described, more or less. The G1 has both internal memory and SD card
memory. External access to it's memory via USB is controlled by the G1's
settings, and or it's software via WiFi. It's software can be set to
store "stuff" on the SD card or internal memory. It does have an FTP
program that can be used. A non windows driver is only needed if support
software is installed on a P/C, and the P/C is then used in modes that
store such things as phone related info, logs, and so forth, or
load/save Android ops system modules, etc.


"No Name" Chinese devices are often imperfect "knock offs" of more well
known ones, and less than the original.