Windows 10: Phantom USB Drive

OK, I found it, or the device that is causing it. It is my Primera Bravo SE Disc printer (ink jet printer for disc labels). When its plugged, whether powered on or off the USB Mass Storage Device shows up on Port 2 of a (powered) USB hub. I had a USB 2.0 hub and I changed it out for a different hub (happened to be a USB 3.0 hub) and it still shows the same thing. I changed to a different USB cable for the Primera Bravo and it still shows it.

There is no disc drive in the Primera Bravo SE, it is strictly a printer.

I'm going to mark this solved. I'll contact Primera support to see if I have a hardware problem with the printer.

USB Device tree viewer utility helped me track it down.

Thanks/Jack

 

Update on the Primera Bravo SE disc printer. There is an optional model that has a CD/DVD burner built in. As it turns out the same interface board and driver software is provided for both models. The model I have does not have the CD/DVD burner but because the hardware and drivers are set up for it I'm getting the Phantom drive error. Nothing I can do about it. The model I have has been replaced by the Bravo SE-3 updated model, thus no new drivers or firmware will be issued for my model.

 

At least, you now know why this is happening, and can cheerfully ignore it going forward. Or, if you're really, really OCD, you can buy the new disc printer model and get rid of the old one! *092
Thanks for telling us the conclusion of this thrilling tale of woe.
Best wishes from one old "tech guy" to another!
--Ed--

 

If I ever buy a new CD/DVD printer it will not be a Primera. I've had other issues including the ink cartridges which the unit reports as "out of ink" when there's still 10 to 15% left. Because of how it functions the only option is to replace the cartridge and then "waste" a CD for the required internal print head calibration when a new ink cartridge is installed. There has to be a better way. Looks like the new model works uses the same ink cartridge and works the same way.

I do a lot of CD production in conjunction with my recording studio.

 

Oh, Fireberd: I was only joking around anyway. My advice would be to find a different make of label printer altogether. Preferably one with a good track record on Windows 10, and better behavior with its ink cartridges. If they're anything like inkjets, the consumable costs are what kill you anyway. Thanks for the explanation, and good luck in finding a replacement. I've seen the Dymo printers used a lot for ID badges at my local schools but I'm not sure they're suitable for CD/DVD labels anyway (and our schools are still running Win7, with a refresh planned for this upcoming summer).
Best wishes once again,
--Ed--

 

There is a limited market for disc printers. There two other companies that I know of that make them. Some Epson printers also have a disc print function but that is only one disc at a time. The Bravo SE will hold 20 discs at a time and automatically print them all, the reason I have a disc printer is the auto handling of the discs. I factor in the cost of the ink when I price my CD
production.

I'll use the Bravo SE until it "dies".

 

More from Primera support. The "bridge" they are referring to is the USB Interface with the internal logic. I sent them some screenshots.