Sep 5, 2016

FIXED: Windows update standalone "the update is not applicable"

I was running into an Windows 8.1 error. The error was related to a Windows update that I had previously installed. I proceeded to uninstall the Windows update (that was previously installed) and then tried to redownload the update directly from Microsoft.

When I tried to to install the downloaded update, I received the error message: Windows update standalone "the update is not applicable"

Turns out the problem was due to the wrong architecture. I should have downloaded the 64 bit update instead of the 32 bit update.

Solution: Download the right update for the architecture on your operating system. If you have a 64 bit system, make sure you download the 64 bit updates. If you have a 32 bit system, make sure you download the 32 bit updates.

To check what architecture you have:
Go to control panel
System
System Type: 64 or 32 will be displayed

Sep 3, 2016

PARTIAL FIXED: USB 3.0 External SSD not showing up in Disk Management XHCI

Symptom: Connecting an external USB 3.0 drive, in Windows, does not display in Disk Management. The only thing you see is the device is displayed in connected USB devices.

This happened to me with an Asus Zenbook UX series laptop. Attempts to connect a Samsung T3 drive failed. The drive would not show up in Disk Management, nor in the BIOS. Disabling XHCI in the BIOS allowed the drive to show in Windows 8.1, but this would revert the drive to USB 2.0 which is not what we want.

Re-enabling XHCI in the BIOS allowed for USB 3.0, but again, the Samsung T3 drive was still not displaying.

Solution: The Windows XHCI driver needs to be updated. Go to Device Manager, USB Controllers, then right click the Intel USB 3 XHCI device and select Update Driver Software.

NOTE: Not all External USB 3.0 drives will be compatible with the Windows driver and same goes with the Intel driver. The Samsung T3 works fine with the Windows driver, but another external drive randomly disconnects after copying files.

The driver will update with a Microsoft XHCI driver, and you should be able to see your drive in My Computer as well as Disk Management.