Problem with external disc drive

[Chrisborn1958]

I bought this desktop at the end of last year, together with a HP laptop 3CNEBFFK. I also bought a Sandstrom external CD drive model SEDVDWH18.

Both computers are now running Windows 11.

Both computers are working fine, except when it comes to the external drive. The laptop operates it perfectly, but when attached to the desktop I get the message "the directory name is invalid". This restricts the functionality considerably, and everything I've tried so far (error checks, deleting & reinstalling the drive) has failed to cure the problem. Can you help, please?

[Alan384]

Try connecting a USB hub and then plugging the CD ROM drive into that. Let me know if that works.

[Chrisborn1958]

Thanks Alan, but I don't own a USB hub. Can you suggest anything else?

[Alan384]

Try plugging the external CD ROM drive into one of the two USB 2.0 ports instead of using a USB 3.2 port.

[Chrisborn1958]

Must confess I didn't realise the USBs were different. However, I tried the drive in all 4 sockets on the rear, plus the one on the side but I still get the "directory invalid" message. This is really annoying!

[Alan384]

I am assuming that you have seen the external drive working in the past, connected to a different computer?

If so then you may be running into the same issue as me

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Bug-BIOS-2-13-USB-Root-Hub-USB-...

You can check the power setting for your Root USB Hub in the Device Manager application

 Using an external USB hub that has the correct power state mapping is my current work around until HP fix the BIOS

[Chrisborn1958]

Thanks again, Alan.

The drive works perfectly with the HP laptop we bought at the same time. The only solution might be to get a USB hub, as you suggest. Regards.

[Alan384]

Did you check the power settings for your Root USB Hub in the Device Manager? I would be interested to know if they are similar to mine.