The basic problem I think I'm facing is how to force(?) my Windows XP Home Edition to find my Buslink, external, ReWritable, Compact-Disc writer (CD-RW), model UII-RW52-E, which is connected via a Universal-Serial-Bus- (USB-) 2.0 cable to my Hewlett-Packard, ZE1110, Pavilion-Notebook computer. If owners of other CD writers have had and solved similar problems of Windows XP not finding their external CD writers, I'd be interested to learn of those owners' solution(s). My computer contains only USB-1.1 circuitry, which should still be okay, according to http://www.buslink.com/, since the USB 2.0 of the CD writer should be backwards compatible with USB 1. Concerning a driver for this CD writer I found the following note on the Web page http://www.buslink.com/index.cgi?drivers=yes below �gUSB 2 Hard Drive & CD-RW Windows 98SE and ME.�h, which I quote here exactly: �hNote: When using USB 1 port. Drivers are built in XP & 2000�h. So I don't think Buslink lists a Buslink driver file for my Buslink, CD writer; instead I think Buslink is depending on Windows XP to furnish the driver for my CD writer. And Buslink is not listed among the CD or CD-RW manufacturing companies within http://www.usb-drivers.com/. But assuming that the Buslink note and my interpretation of it is correct that Windows XP contains an appropriate driver for my CD writer, finding such a driver is not my problem. Besides what good is it to have a driver for a device that Windows XP cannot find? I suppose none, unless someone can teach me something I don't know about how to associate a driver with a device not found by Windows XP. What I think I need is a way to get Windows XP Home Edition to find my external CD writer. I should mention that my computer contains a Digital-Versatile-Disc- (DVD-) ROM playing device, presently called drive �gD�h on my computer. Today using Microsoft Windows Update I installed an update for Windows XP, Service-Pack 1 having to do with USB 1.1 and 2.0; but still my CD writer was not found by Windows XP. Another thing to mention is the USB-2.0 cable I'm using. I believe it is recognized by my computer. Evidence that I have for this is that when that cable was connected to my printer and I ordered printing of a sheet of paper with it, the paper was slowly fed through the printer as the printer head moved back and forth, even though the printer was not fully working for (an)other reason(s); but when I removed the USB-2.0 cable from the printer and again ordered the printing of a sheet of paper, I received a message that my computer could not communicate with the printer, just what you would expect. The really surprising thing then is that my CD writer was not recognized by that same, Windows-XP, Home-Edition operating system through that same cable and same USB connection to my computer! An obvious possibility to explain this is that the CD writer is faulty; but especially since the retail seller of this CD writer tests its products before selling them, if I understood and remember things correctly, I'm not ready to write this as a firm conclusion. I went through a Windows-XP-Home-Edition troubleshooter for USB devices. For devices not listed in Device Manager I think the recommendation was to reinstall the device driver. But since the CD writer was not found by Windows XP, I don't think any device driver has been assigned to the CD writer. The Buslink User's Manual for my CD writer contains the following relevant statements: �gWindows Setup 1. Start up your computer and boot into Windows. 2. Normally your machine will be ready to install new hardware. However, if you are using Windows 2000 or XP and are unable to install new hardware, you might not have Administrator privilege. Check with your computer manufacturer or your computer administrator to receive advice on how to install�h a �gnew hardware device.�h I am the administrator for this computer of mine. Microsoft Corporation on the Web page http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321305 states: �gTo log on as the Administrator or Computer Administrator, you must start Windows XP in Safe Mode.�h After I did that no new hardware was detected by Windows XP; and I couldn't go through the �gAdd New Hardware�h wizard to manually add the new CD writer either. On the other hand, a common message associated with safe mode indicated that some devices might not be available in the safe mode. I recently tried to contact Buslink about this problem by phone and e-mail, but don't have the help I need yet. I don't know if Buslink employees will be at work on the day after Thanksgiving Day or not; but if not, with a weekend approaching it could be at least three or four days before I can hear or receive anything from Buslink. Therefore help and/or suggestions from any knowledgeable person out there during the interim would be appreciated; thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this posting with useful information or suggestions. Pat

Hmmm, tricky. I had a similar issue with my Palm Pilot. I think this is what I did: Go to Device manager, right click and scan for hardware changes. If you device shows up in the list, right click to install the driver......I'm sure that’s how I overcame the issue but memory maybe failing me. Good Luck.