Q: My Dell XPS 8300 PC with Windows 7 doesn't "recognize" flash drives. It says the software drivers are not installed properly. What can I do?
Tim Murphy, Edina
A: The problem can most likely be solved by downloading new Windows 7 software drivers from the flash drive manufacturer's website. Try that first.
If that doesn't work, there may be a problem with your PC. There have been several complaints about the USB ports on that particular model.
Here are some things you can try:
• Some models of the Dell XPS 8300 have USB ports on the top and the back. But, based on other users' experiences, the ports on the top of the PC can be a problem. Try using the other USB ports instead.
• Occasionally a flash drive won't work properly if you are using a USB hub, a sort of USB "extension cord" that connects to your PC's USB port and provides multiple plug-in slots for USB devices. If you're using the flash drives on a USB hub, try plugging them directly into one of the PC's USB ports instead.
• Try using the flash drives on a different computer. If they work on another PC with the new software drivers installed, there's a problem with one or more USB ports on your computer, which means you may want to take the PC to a repair shop or buy a new computer. If you want to know more about why USB ports fail, see tinyurl.com/o4mftyb.