IMac USB flash drive problem

My imac (os 10.6.8 2.5GHz i5) will not recognize my USB flash drive when I plug it into any port. Disk utility will not see it either. What do I do? I plug it into a friend's macbook  and it is readable and writable there with NO PROBLEM... what's up with

Troubleshooting steps :
- Turn iMac off (Leave Off)
- Unplug Power Cord from Power Outlet or Back of iMac (Leave Unplugged)
- Hold Power Button on Back of iMac for 10 Seconds (While Unplugged)
- Let Go and Plug back in
- Turn computer on and see if USB Stick now reads
- If it doesnt read plug in other USB Port and restart iMac
- Open Finder and see if its listed under devices as unknown or other name
- If still unreadable (Try plugging in other USB Device)
- If other USB Device reads fine then its something with USb Stick only
Plan B:
- Plug USB Stick onto other Macbook
- Go to Disk Utility/Format USB Memory Stick as
- Safely Remove and Plug into iMac (See If It Reads)
- If still no read then your USB may not be readable with your Operating System or may be unreadable to the firmware specifically of that Operating system
- Compare with other Macbook and see which Operating System version the other Macbook may be under ie. (Version 10.6.8 or 10.5.8) etc if its different then u may have to return item and try other brand
- Try all the above and let me know

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