Network Usb stick sharing Problem

I have a usb stick which is permanently plugged in to my router (a BT Smart Hub) so that it can be used as a network storage device. Recently when trying to open the drive it has been impossible to open it. If I remove the stick from the router and plug it into a usb socket on the pc I can view and access it's contents normally so nothing appears to be wrong with the stck itself. An error message comes up suggesting that there is something wrong with the file name which is :- \\192.168.1.254\usb1 but this seems normal to me. Can anyone explain why I can't access the stick from the network. Normal internet access though the router is fine either by ethernet or wireless. My pc is running W10Pro version 22H2.

BT Smart Hubs have not had their firmware updated to support SMBv2 so you need to re-enable SMBv1 in Windows 10 in order to use the Smart Hubs' USB port for networking.

Hope this helps...

I looked in Windows Features but could only find SMB 1 no SMB 2. I tried installing this (having created a Restore Point first) which was completed without incident but It is still not allowing The USB stick to open. I am reluctant to put the files on to the cloud as they contain critical financial information (they are password protected) but the other methods may be ok If I knew how to set them up.

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I have now attempted to install SMBv2 using Powershell but this did not work either. a red error message appeared

Did you reboot after adding SMBv1 back in? The settings write info to the HKLM hive of the registry so a reboot is required to read the newly added info.

To check whether SMBv1 is installed, open an elevated PowerShell console and enter the following cmdlet:

Code:

(Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName SMB1Protocol -Online).State -eq "Enabled"

(Note: This will only run correctly if elevated.)

You'll see the following result if installed and enabled:


The problem is that Windows 10 uses SMBv3.1 natively but most routers (and many other network storage devices) use Linux-based OS' that only understand Samba v4.x (or earlier)... which SMBv3.1 is not compatible with.

Windows 10 used to include SMBv1 by default to accommodate these devices but Microsoft deprecated SMBv1 in Windows 10 1709 due to security concerns. Since then, users who need SMBv1 have to add it back in themselves. (Note: If you do add it back to a laptop then disable SMBv1 if you use the laptop with public wifi. Only enable it within your own home, secured by your router's firewall.)

Another problem is that BT appear strangely reticent to publish what versions of SMB their range of SuperHubs support. I've been unable to find any info other than the number of people having problems since SMBv1 was removed from Windows 10.

Hope this helps...

I am just an ordinary Windows user and am not familiar with some of the terms you are using. How do I get an elevated version of Powershell as a reboot does not appear to be sufficient to re-enable SMBv1

A Gray said:

I am just an ordinary Windows user and am not familiar with some of the terms you are using. How do I get an elevated version of Powershell as a reboot does not appear to be sufficient to re-enable SMBv1

My apologies.

1. Right-click on the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin). This will open an elevated PowerShell console.
2. Copy/paste the following into the console then press the RETURN/ENTER key:

Code:

(Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName SMB1Protocol -Online).State -eq "Enabled"

If the result shows True then SMBv1 is installed and enabled.

Hope this helps...

I've done what you suggest and got the result "True" but I still cannot access the usb stick. I've run a network troubleshooter and got the following result:-
The device or resource (192.168.1.254) is not set up to accept connections on port "The File and printer sharing (SMB)".
Contact your network administrator Completed

The computer or device you are trying to reach is available, but it doesn’t support what you’re trying to do. This might be a configuration issue or a limitation of the device.

A Gray said:

I've done what you suggest and got the result "True" but I still cannot access the usb stick. I've run a network troubleshooter and got the following result:-
The device or resource (192.168.1.254) is not set up to accept connections on port "The File and printer sharing (SMB)".
Contact your network administrator Completed

The computer or device you are trying to reach is available, but it doesn’t support what you’re trying to do. This might be a configuration issue or a limitation of the device.

OK, so SMBv1 is installed and enabled.

Now you need to access it.

The IP address (192.168.1.254) is that of your router, not its resources.

Try the default share address of BT routers' USB port, i.e. \\192.168.1.254\usb1

Hope this helps...

The IP address that you show is the one that I use but in case it has become corrupted I keyed it in again into add a Network Location and the following message appeared:-
"The folder that you entered does not appear to be valid. Please choose another"

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Quite often I have found that a restart solves problems on the pc. I tried a restart with the router and bingo, it worked! I can now access the files on usb1 with it plugged into the router. Thank you all for your help but in the end a simple restart was all that was necessary.