Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB-PROBLEM SOLVED!

[Boomyal]

Hows come it don't work? I have a Motorola RazrM Android that I am trying to connect to my PC via the supplied USB cable. I get no notification of a connection on the phone nor does it show up as a drive on my PC.

I am using XP SP3, I have Windows media player v11 and I have downloaded and installed Motorola's Device Manager.

Nuttin is happinin. I want to get some pictures off my phone and I do not want to have to email them.

As usual, any help is apertiated.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

on mine I have to open the phone then touch the top left bar and drag it down for notifications then select usb link. If I have used the usb on the pc and used the safe to remove feature then I have to remove the usb cable and reboot or the usb stays locked out and will not auto find the phone.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

I have even watched a youtube video on the subject. I get no USB symbol up in the notification bar. This is the case for my XP PC and my Win7 laptop.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

For some reason, I have had trouble with some XP installs. Some work and some don't and I can't pinpoint why. Windows 7 seems to always work.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

I have a phone with a mini USB port. But it is only for charging so a PC never sees it. I found this out by trying to download ringtones. It's a Motorola also.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

A quick Web search came up with this.

"The "M" with Android 4.1.1 does not support USB mass storage as older versions did.
It uses PTP or MTP for USB connection (kinda like Apple's IOS). You will need the
USB drivers from the Moto support web site (easy to find). Pretty much any USB cable
will work (they do for me). On the "M" set the storage option to PTP (just pics) or MTP
to see all files. It's different from the mass storage option in that you can't see it as a drive
letter, but all files are shown. BTW this is an Android Jelly Bean change not just for Moto."

Some other info follows ^^. The link https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/796071

My phone is probably completely different.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

If you are only trying to transfer small files, consider using dropbox.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

If you are only trying to transfer small files, consider using dropbox.

Don't know about dropbox, bb, I am just trying to get a half dozen photos off the dumb thing.

I did see the information GA posted and I had already downloaded and installed the Motorola Device Manager. I do not know where I am supposed to set this PTP or MTP.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Dropbox is great to have for many reasons. You could have them transferred in just a few minutes.

Or you could just email them from your device.

I know...would be nice to get it done the correct way though. I just transferred a bunch of pictures from my iphone that way.

 

[Pony]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB

For future reference, you could set yourself up with a gmail account and set it to back up your photos to your account automatically. I had done this for awhile. The nice thing is I can still access photos from 3 or 4 phones ago.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB-PROBLEM SOLVED!

Turns out that the problem was due to the cable. I had seen evidence that you needed to use the cable that came with the phone, and so I did. But here is the rub. My phone came with two chargers and two cables. One of the cables was for the dedicated AC charging unit and the other was for a universal AC/DC charging unit. The later was one that you could plug into your DC powerpoint or swing out the tangs and plug it in to a wall outlet.

That is the cable that I was using. Turns out, that is not an OFFICIAL Motorola cable. After a stop at a Verizon store (they tried but did not have a clue) the gave me the number for Verizon Technical. It was they who ferreted out the fact that I was not using the cable from the Motorola brand AC wall charger. I hooked it up and everything started chiming and beeping.

I'm good to go now.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB-PROBLEM SOLVED!

That is seriously stupid that you would need a special cable. I have heard of some USB charging cables that only have the power lines connected and not the signal lines but not sure why they are needed at all.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Connecting an Android to a PC, via USB-PROBLEM SOLVED!

.....I have heard of some USB charging cables that only have the power lines connected and not the signal lines but not sure why they are needed at all.

That was probably the case here. They probably saved a few mil on each cord by only making it suitable for charging.