Cannot transfer files with MTP / Device not viewable in Windows Explorer

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thisisnitwit

Senior Member
Nov 1, 2007
62
15
Trumbull
When I connect my Nexus 7 to my Windows XP (SP3) PC via USB, it's obvious the computer recognizes it and it tries to install ADB drivers. Whether I choose to install those drivers or not, I still can't locate my device in the Windows Explorer Tree. I checked Disk Management for the hell of it and nothing but my PC's harddrives were there. There's an attempt to install drivers for "MTP" but that fails and I'm pretty sure that's the cause; however, I'm unable to replicate it, even as I uninstall/reinstall applicable drivers from the device manager the MTP failure never happens anymore. I did some googling and found a thread with someone who had a similiar experience. In turn, I downloaded https://www.box.com/s/2c25e8bc42ecce400afd to try a different set of drivers. Same problem. Driver install is fine for ADB, but still unable to see my device in Windows Explorer. I'm able to successfully connect the device to the PC with PTP for the camera. I can access DCIM and cache which can serve as a work around, but I'm hoping you can provide any ideas you might have. Thank you!

edit - ***resolution***: Ok, I figured it out...I had to disable USB debugging. I don't know if this helped either, but I installed these drivers as an alternative to the drivers that were originally installed: https://www.box.com/s/2c25e8bc42ecce400afd

While connected to PC, I switched to PTP mode because I was about to give up and just use that

I then disabled usb debugging and switched back to MTP at which point the drivers successfully installed and I could now view my device in Windows Explorer. I also believe downloading the drivers in the link above helped since the first crack I took at this was unsuccessful with existing drivers.
 
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saltyteabag

saltyteabag

Member
Mar 17, 2011
11
0
Norfolk, VA
Been battling with this on my XP machine since yesterday. I couldn't even get debugging to work until I installed NakedDriver. And even still, there seems to be no way to get MTP to work without turning debugging off. On my Win7 machine everything worked perfectly, both ADB and MTP, right out of the box. I have the Galaxy Nexus drivers installed on both machines (which I've read are compatible with the N7). I also have the latest version of Windows Media Player (I've read that some older versions have issues with MTP). Is anyone else able to run ADB and MTP on XP?

*edit*
A: Does PDAnet let you use MTP and ADB simultaneously? Because I really don't want to install it if I don't have to. I got rid of it ages ago (too many things starting up at boot time).

B: I have a Galaxy Nexus also, and I have no issues on the XP box.
 
Last edited:
Salty Wagyu

Salty Wagyu

Senior Member
May 28, 2011
660
199
England
I wouldn't bother with MTP, it's not always showing the contents of the internal storage properly when viewed in Windows Explorer.

Earlier today when I was trying to set up a backup profile for it, it didn't copy all the files off. On closer inspection I found folders like TitaniumBackup to be completely empty, which is not true according to ES File Explorer on the tablet.

I tried connecting MTP again, with USB Debugging on and off but this made no difference. Also I'm only seeing the Notifications folder instead of 36 folders on the internal storage now, really random how it's working.
 
J

Jonghanpe

New member
Aug 3, 2012
1
1
1. Please disconnect Nexus7
2. Remove drivers on PC.
3. Toggle ON : Settings->Wireless&Networkings->More->NFC.
4. Re-connect device

Good luck !
 
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SE4GT

New member
Sep 15, 2012
2
1
GotLoveForAll said:
poo. how do I transfer my audiobooks to this stupid device without working drivers? :(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

1. Uncheck MTP, check the one next to it (Camera)
2. Unplug USB
3. Turn off USB Debugging (Uncheck it)
4. Plug in USB
5. Should say connected as camera, then a new window will pop-up allowing you to see your files.

Tell me if it works!
 
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H

hgmichna

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2010
982
402
Munich
michna.com
Internal memory partly invisible from Windows 7 Explorer

Salty Wagyu said:
I wouldn't bother with MTP, it's not always showing the contents of the internal storage properly when viewed in Windows Explorer.

Earlier today when I was trying to set up a backup profile for it, it didn't copy all the files off. On closer inspection I found folders like TitaniumBackup to be completely empty, which is not true according to ES File Explorer on the tablet.

I tried connecting MTP again, with USB Debugging on and off but this made no difference. Also I'm only seeing the Notifications folder instead of 36 folders on the internal storage now, really random how it's working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Same observation here (a few months later) on stock Android 4.1.1 rooted.

It seems that new files in the internal memory remain invisible for a long time, but so far they have become visible eventually, sometimes a day or two later. I have no clue what could possibly cause this, and I have not found any trick or workaround that makes them visible, not even rebooting. Any hint is welcome.
 
T

ThurstonX

Senior Member
Oct 29, 2012
255
120
SE4GT said:
1. Uncheck MTP, check the one next to it (Camera)
2. Unplug USB
3. Turn off USB Debugging (Uncheck it)
4. Plug in USB
5. Should say connected as camera, then a new window will pop-up allowing you to see your files.

Tell me if it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Didn't work. Just shows up as a camera with the limited folder access one would expect.
 
H

hgmichna

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2010
982
402
Munich
michna.com
Workaround

I now use the following workaround.

  1. Install SDrescan from Google Play.
  2. Run it.
  3. If you already had your phone connected to a computer as a media device (MTP) and are watching the contents of your SD card or internal memory in Windows Explorer, press F5 to refresh your view. If not, connect it now.

I'd be curious whether this works for you as well. If it does, press the THANKS button below.
 
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mistershark

mistershark

Member
Sep 5, 2011
12
0
SALERNO
Same issue with an old ibm x40 udated to windows xp pro SP3.
I've installed mtp driver, without success
I've "tried" to install asus driver, without success
I've tried to do as above with the help of the nexus toolkit, without success.

Everytime, the laptop recognize the device as android ADB interface.

Someone could help me?

Thank you in advance
 
R

romdroid.

Senior Member
Jul 27, 2010
2,254
208
Same problem with my moto xoom...files not showing in MTP using windows xp...still have not found any solution
 
kaiser_tytnii

kaiser_tytnii

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2007
613
88
Toronto
hgmichna said:
I now use the following workaround.

  1. Install SDrescan from Google Play.
  2. Run it.
  3. If you already had your phone connected to a computer as a media device (MTP) and are watching the contents of your SD card or internal memory in Windows Explorer, press F5 to refresh your view. If not, connect it now.

I'd be curious whether this works for you as well. If it does, press the THANKS button below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It works! THANKS A LOT!!!
 
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    desynch-
    Sorry for the thread necro, but someone might find this handy dealing with MTP and the ADB interface w/ regards to Nexus Devices under Windows XP that don't want to deal with Windows Media Player and NEEDS USB debugging ON. So this may not apply to all of you.

    Searching this forum helped lead me to fixing my Nexus 4 issues on Windows XP (w/ USB debugging enabled, I wasn't getting MTP). There was a workaround to enabling MTP + the ADB interface that I discovered on Microsoft's support forum. I needed the ADB interface and the ability to send files over MTP when using USB debugging. USB Debugging off, MTP worked fine though.

    There's another method to force installation of MTP devices on USB debugging if you have a yellow "!" on Windows XP by installing a generic driver located in:

    "C:\Windows\INF\" with regards to the file "wpdmtp.inf"

    Under [Generic.NTx86], you add your devices.

    For my entry it was:

    [Generic.NTx86]
    %GenericMTP.DeviceDesc%=MTP, USB\MS_COMP_MTP

    ; Nexus 4
    %GenericMTP.DeviceDesc%=MTP, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE2&MI_00
    %GenericMTP.DeviceDesc%=MTP, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE2&REV_0228&MI_00

    [Generic.NTamd64]
    %GenericMTP.DeviceDesc%=MTP, USB\MS_COMP_MTP

    For your appropriate Nexus device, be it 4, 7, or 10 that has issues with USB debugging and no MTP with working ADB, locate the appropriate VID and PID and replace my entry. Force the reinstall by updating the driver, and pointing to that specific INF.

    Thanks guys!
    View
    7
    T
    thisisnitwit
    When I connect my Nexus 7 to my Windows XP (SP3) PC via USB, it's obvious the computer recognizes it and it tries to install ADB drivers. Whether I choose to install those drivers or not, I still can't locate my device in the Windows Explorer Tree. I checked Disk Management for the hell of it and nothing but my PC's harddrives were there. There's an attempt to install drivers for "MTP" but that fails and I'm pretty sure that's the cause; however, I'm unable to replicate it, even as I uninstall/reinstall applicable drivers from the device manager the MTP failure never happens anymore. I did some googling and found a thread with someone who had a similiar experience. In turn, I downloaded https://www.box.com/s/2c25e8bc42ecce400afd to try a different set of drivers. Same problem. Driver install is fine for ADB, but still unable to see my device in Windows Explorer. I'm able to successfully connect the device to the PC with PTP for the camera. I can access DCIM and cache which can serve as a work around, but I'm hoping you can provide any ideas you might have. Thank you!

    edit - ***resolution***: Ok, I figured it out...I had to disable USB debugging. I don't know if this helped either, but I installed these drivers as an alternative to the drivers that were originally installed: https://www.box.com/s/2c25e8bc42ecce400afd

    While connected to PC, I switched to PTP mode because I was about to give up and just use that

    I then disabled usb debugging and switched back to MTP at which point the drivers successfully installed and I could now view my device in Windows Explorer. I also believe downloading the drivers in the link above helped since the first crack I took at this was unsuccessful with existing drivers.
    View
    3
    H
    hgmichna
    Workaround

    I now use the following workaround.

    1. Install SDrescan from Google Play.
    2. Run it.
    3. If you already had your phone connected to a computer as a media device (MTP) and are watching the contents of your SD card or internal memory in Windows Explorer, press F5 to refresh your view. If not, connect it now.

    I'd be curious whether this works for you as well. If it does, press the THANKS button below.
    View
    2
    T
    thisisnitwit
    Ok, I figured it out...I had to disable USB debugging. I don't know if this helped either, but I installed these drivers as an alternative to the drivers that were originally installed: https://www.box.com/s/2c25e8bc42ecce400afd
    View
    2
    spankymo
    spankymo
    I also had this problem just recently. It turned out that I messed up the device drivers on my PC when trying to install ADB. So what I did was this:
    1. Plug in the Nexus 7 to PC via USB
    2. Right click on My Computer > Manage > Device Manager
    3. Look for the entry corresponding to Nexus 7 (e.g. Portable Device)
    4. Right click on the entry then select Uninstall
    5. Unplug the Nexus 7
    6. Plug in the Nexus 7 again. This will automatically install the default drivers.

    Might be worth a try.
    View

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