PC not "seeing" devices

[Armchair_Expert]

Just after advice...

Our PC has a load of USB ports, but I am having inconsistency with what the PC will see. Plugging in my phone, Garmin, vivosports and devices, although they always connect and charge, they are not coming up as a visible drive so can't do anything with them. Problem is sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Tonight I have plugged in my kids vivosport and despite everything, the PC won't see it. It charges it, and always connects, but won't let me open the files and transfer to Strava. This ties in with intermittent issues we have had since I had it built where I have to piss about with different leads and ports and hope at some point a device is seen. They always connect and charge, but it's random.

Is there a setting or something simple I am missing? And I have never known the vivosport to fail - its the same designated lead we have always had to transfer activities to the PC.

[Armchair_Expert]

Right, will have a look.

Kids have a Vivosport each and a lead each. I have plugged in all of them and the PC won' see any of them at all. They all charge, but now are useless and the computer refuses to see them.

[Armchair_Expert]

Can I run that link to solve this? I am a little unsure what I was looking at even in device manager. I have never had this issue and its seriously annoying.

[Armchair_Expert]

Yes 10, cheers for link. Think we are on 10 pro.

We have express and always have, never been an issue. Its all up to date too. It is literally a visibility thing but I have noticed it with other devices. I can get around those by fiddling but the vivosports are dead to the computer - no port or lead allows access.

[Armchair_Expert]

I've been through all the setup options on Garmin express, and just like the PC folders, the PC refuses to see it.

[Armchair_Expert]

SimpleSimonSays said:

A dodgy cable? Some are only for charging devices and don’t have all the wires in for data transfer. Don’t ask how much time I wasted with this…

Which makes sense.... but why is it it always works 50% of the time?

Cables changed, things seem to be working. Other than the Vivosports. Which are basic hardware.

I don't understand why they won't work. I've asked my tech guy who built my PC - I will share his responses.

[Armchair_Expert]

Damn. Already deleted.

Basically said its a bespoke build, and may be an issue with drivers, and that the vivos should work on an off shelf "main brand" computer. But he can't be sure.

I just don't get how a device can charge and link - but not open up on the PC. Never seen that before.

[Armchair_Expert]

Griffith4ever said:

Grab a USB key/mem stick. Test it in each port. If its detected every time, the problem is with your other device. If not, its your hardware.

Detection always there - the opening up is the issue. But can try with data files - same port / cable allows full access.


But vivosports both fail.

[Armchair_Expert]

Plugged Vivo in - it creates this:

Been through the update options - nothing works.

[Armchair_Expert]

This is in details:





If I click on the events tab it just says "null" and root USB.

[Armchair_Expert]

I just can't get my head round how a desktop computer cannot open up the files on what is a popular and well known device. I only need to access the raw file to manually upload it to Strava, I don't even need Garmin Express at all. It seems a ridiculous issue to have.

[Armchair_Expert]

I used that software linked above and this is what it says - whatever it means?

[Armchair_Expert]

TonyRPH said:

For what it's worth - my O/H has a Nike+ Sport watch and this doesn't work properly in USB3 ports (the ones with the blue insert) - it charges but won't communicate with the software.

Does your PC have any USB1.1/2 ports? (they have a black insert).

I have 8 USB ports on mine, and tried them all. Not one will recognise either vivosport. I've given up now, clearly will never work. Thank god my Garmin Edge is recognized ( sometimes ) as I use that myself every day.

[Armchair_Expert]

xeny said:

Great and all. What does it show if you click on "Device instance path" and select "Hardware Ids" ?

[Armchair_Expert]

Well, interesting twist.

Just plugged one of them into my wifes work computer - and exactly the same issue. It bongs to recognise it, then does the downward bong as if you have unplugged it (even though you haven't) - and won't see the device or files. Repeated it and exactly the same.

Which points towards both watches suddenly failing, for no apparent reason whatsoever.

[Armchair_Expert]

They are vivsport watches so can't see them on that list. If I do the driver update could that work?

[Armchair_Expert]

All answered already and I posted an update on the weekend, the watches can't be read by a laptop either so it looks like the fault lies with them. And I have been using Garmin Express since 2013.