Why Won't My Samsung Galaxy 5.0 Connect to the Computer?
By Jeff Grundy
The Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0 is an Android device that offers all the features of a Galaxy phone, save the capability to make and receive calls. As with a Samsung phone, you can connect a Galaxy Player to your computer and transfer music, photos, videos and other files to and from the media player. Usually, connecting the Galaxy Player to a PC is a straightforward process. However, if the computer does fails to recognize the Galaxy Player when you connect it, you can probably troubleshoot the problem yourself.
Verify Galaxy USB Settings
Before you connect a Galaxy Player 5.0 to a computer, you should verify the device is using the correct USB settings. To do this, first press the "Home" key and tap "Apps." Tap "Settings," "Applications" and then "Development." Locate the "USB Debugging" option in the "Development" menu and verify that it does not have a check mark next to it. If there is a check mark present, tap the "USB Debugging" label to remove it and disable the option. Additionally, ensure that you enable the appropriate "USB Settings" option in the Phone section of the "Settings" menu for the type of task you want to perform. For instance, if you want to use the memory card in the Galaxy Player 5.0 as an external hard drive for your PC, enable the "Mass Storage" option. Likewise, if you want to sync messages and media from the device to the computer, select the "Samsung Kies" option.
Driver Errors
If you select the Mass Storage option before connecting the Galaxy Player to the computer, Windows should not prompt you for any type of driver or additional software. Windows includes all of the drivers needed to configure and use the memory card as an external storage device. However, if you select the "Media Player," "Samsung Kies" or other USB option, Windows will prompt you for a compatible driver if you have not already installed Samsung Kies. Consequently, if you want to use the media or sync options of the Galaxy Player 5.0, you must install Samsung Kies before doing so. Samsung Kies includes the drivers needed to connect the device to the computer and use it in ways other than as a standard external storage device. To install Samsung Kies, use the installation disc that shipped with the Galaxy Player or download the software from the Samsung support website (link in Resources).
Update Samsung Kies Software
If you recently upgraded your version of Windows or installed a service pack or major update, the version of Samsung Kies on your PC may be incompatible. If other corrective actions do not resolve your connection problems between the Galaxy Player and the computer, try downloading and installing the latest version of the Samsung Kies software. Samsung has a link to the latest version of Samsung Kies on the Galaxy Player 5.0 page of its support website (link in Resources). After downloading Samsung Kies, just click the setup file and follow the prompts to uninstall the old version and install the new one. After reinstalling Samsung Kies, restart the computer and attempt to connect the Galaxy Player to the PC again using the USB cable.
USB Port Issues
If you've tried everything else and still can't get the computer to recognize your Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0, you should rule out a faulty or underpowered USB port before giving up and contacting tech support. If you are attempting to connect the Galaxy Player to a front-panel USB port on a desktop computer, try plugging the data cable into one of the ports on the rear of the PC instead. The same applies if you are using a USB hub to connect the Galaxy Player to the computer; connect the device to a rear USB port directly. In some cases, front-panel USB ports or hubs may not provide the stable voltage needed to ensure a good connection between the device and the PC. If you must use a hub, use one with an AC adapter and ensure that you connect the Galaxy Player to the port closest to the power source -- that one will usually receive the most stable voltage from the motherboard.
References
Writer Bio
Jeff Grundy has been writing computer-related articles and tutorials since 1995. Since that time, Grundy has written many guides to using various applications that are published on numerous how-to and tutorial sites. Born and raised in South Georgia, Grundy holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.