USB devices not recognized in certain ports

[Hain]

This is something that is getting on my last nerve. I used to have three USB devices: a flash drive, an external hard drive and a laptop cooler. Each had it own port and all was right with the world. I now have a second hard drive and want to use it. However, it only works in one port. I discover all my other devices will only work in their port.

Worse, the port that the laptop cooler was in doesn't recognize data from flash drives (however it will recognize external hard drives but not assign a drive letter nor allow it to show up in device manager).

So now I am stuck with only two USB ports that access data with three data devices, soon to get a fourth.

It is window XP so what can I do, TFP?

[Cynthetiq]

I have found that in 2 different computer my USB ports are not very durable. I have killed 2 of them buy pulling things in and out as designed. The outside collar deforms quite easily. The flat board breaks easily.

I just find that USB is really much more delicate than say a headphone/mic jack, DB9, PS2 port, etc.

[ubertuber]

Get a hub for one of the working ports.

[Lasereth]

You have looked in compmgmt.msc and checked the disk management, right? If you use multiple USB drives on one PC, many times they get a drive letter stuck on them and you have to change it in disk management in order to let other USB devices work on that port. Happens all the time at work. I usually change the drive letter away from E or F and to L, M, or N, etc.

[Hain]

Originally Posted by ubertuber

Get a hub for one of the working ports.

I no longer use hubs as all of them I use which say 2.0 compatible bottle neck the speed like it was 1.0.

Originally Posted by Lasereth

You have looked in compmgmt.msc and checked the disk management, right? If you use multiple USB drives on one PC, many times they get a drive letter stuck on them and you have to change it in disk management in order to let other USB devices work on that port. Happens all the time at work. I usually change the drive letter away from E or F and to L, M, or N, etc.

No luck trying that either. I have changed the device letters and they still only work in the port they are seemingly assigned.

[Frosstbyte]

My laptop has some pretty stunning problems with its USB ports. The devices (I usually have a mouse and a keyboard) do a lot of locking up and are recognized only sporadically by the machine. It's a real pain in the ass when gaming, and it's sometimes more temperamental than others. Just off the cuff, I'd imagine that the problems we're both experiencing are a combination of what Cynthetiq described (that USB ports just aren't the most durable things out there) and the fact that we're slowly frying our mobos because our laptops overheat. I don't think there's a quick, easy or inexpensive fix, unfotunately.

[Hain]

Guys, the ports still work. The problem is with Windows. I know it can work because my friend in Linux never has this problem and his laptop is almost 10 years old.

[Cynthetiq]

Originally Posted by Augi

Guys, the ports still work. The problem is with Windows. I know it can work because my friend in Linux never has this problem and his laptop is almost 10 years old.

I have a 10 year old laptop that has perfect USB ports. I only use them when travelling to transfer photos from the card reader to the laptop.

My desktop is only 2 years old and I've already busted one of the front case ports just from plugging and unplugging a drive, headphones, and ipod adapter.

If you said I ran linux on it and the USB ports still work without any problems, I'd agree with you. Beyond that I'm sticking with that the USB port may be damaged, even slightly.

[Hain]

Well the goddamned laptop won't recognize my external hard drive again. The port works, other USB devices are recognized in it. The drive is good, other computers see the data.

[*Nikki*]

I have this issue also. Sometimes it will recognize my camera, sometimes it doesn't. All of my ports on my newest PC are doing this now. It is a huge PITA.

[vanblah]

First M$ article that comes up on a Google search:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817900

[Cynthetiq]

I actually encountered this the other day with my iogear USB video card (so I can dual screen at work.)

I called iogear tech support because I thought I fried my unit and would require warranty service.

I had to do all these types of things to get the unit back to working and it didn't work. I was even prepared and looking to buy a new one.

I came in to work in the morning and started the machine after an overnight shutdown. Thinking the unit dead, doing my work on one screen. I then decided I needed to see an email and check it against something in an online database so I moved the email to screen number 1 out of habit. I was shocked as I realized it moved!

[MikeSty]

Here's what's odd: My family's computer (XP Pro Corp, ASUS A7N8X or something, few years old) had an issue like this at one point. My brother's iPod apparently only worked in one port.

Knock on wood, but I've never had this issue with my desktop. I've been through two different ABIT motherboards, and no issues of that sort.

[AYHJA]

Just as a hunch, do you usually run the remove hardware wizard before unplugging your devices..? If you're having a problem w/device enumeration, try booting into safe mode and removing all usb related controllers and letting them reinstall fresh upon reboot before plugging something else in...You may also need to make sure there are no updated drivers for your mobo or bios upgrades available...

[Hain]

@ AYHJA:

I found an article, linked here (<a href="#article1">1st article</a> embedded below), that describes a procedure for removing USB drivers. Needless to say, telling windows to delete anything system related has me worried, let along the USB peripheral devices, HID and/or Composite USB, USB Root Hub(s), and USB Host Controller(s).

Sony's EU Customer Support describes the exact same procedure (<a href="#article2">2nd article</a>).

1. <a name="article1"></a>

   View: Cleanup Windows Device Manager // Source: Usbman (http://www.usbman.com)
   

   Abstract: "Cleaning Up the Device Manager while running in Windows Safe Mode is the first step in resolving hardware conflicts in Windows."   click to show 

   
   
   Cleanup Windows Device Manager
   12/14/2005
   by USBMan
   
   
   Cleaning Up the Device Manager while running in Windows Safe Mode is the first step in resolving hardware conflicts in Windows.
   
   Win9X - The following procedure can resolve Windows conflicts by removing redundant and/or obsolete device entries that are installed in virtual mode.
   
   WinXP and 2000 - Removing USB devices in Safe Mode will force the OS to refresh the USB driver stack and may cause a shift in IRQ assignment.
   
   Enter Windows SAFE MODE by holding down the F8 or Ctrl key just before the Windows Graphic User Interface, (the colored start screen or GUI), displays on the monitor. If you see the Windows GUI you missed your opportunity and you will need to cycle through, shutdown and try again.
   
   When the Start Up Menu appears choose (SAFE MODE)
   
   Windows will inform you that you are in SAFE MODE. If you are using a USB mouse you may not have mouse support.
   
   Note: Completely removing USB creates problems for users who have both USB keyboard and mouse connected. When you reboot to Windows Standard Mode, NO input device is recognized making it impossible to continue. To prevent this from happening, change one input device to PS/2 until you have completed the cleanup.
   
   Using the TAB, ARROW keys, CTRL, ALT and ENTER, navigate through START, SETTINGS, and CONTROL PANEL to SYSTEM
   
   Screen Shots taken from Win98ME System
   
   Windows SAFE MODE
   
   Windows SAFE MODE
   
   Windows SAFE MODE
   
   
   
   TAB DEVICE MANAGER
   
   
   
   Using the arrow keys, go to each and every category and remove any and all redundant and/or obsolete device entries that you find there. Remove both copies of the duplicate entries. When you reboot, Windows will recognize the device and reinstall a single driver.
   
   Note: Always reboot to Standard Mode and then recheck the Device Manager in Safe Mode after adjustments have been made. Windows has a habit of installing and reinstalling duplicate devices in virtual mode.
   
   Windows SAFE MODE
   
   Windows SAFE MODE
   
   
   
   Removing USB Completely
   
   If USB is sharing an IRQ with another device and you are attempting to free the IRQ, or you need to refresh the USB driver stack, you must remove ALL USB elements completely. Windows will refresh the USB driver stack when you reboot to Windows Standard mode..
   
   Note: Completely removing USB creates problems for users who have both USB keyboard and mouse connected. Change one input device to PS/2 until you have completed the cleanup.
   
   Refreshing the USB Driver Stack
   
   Windows Standard Mode
   
   *
   
   Unplug all USB devices except keyboard and/or mouse.
   *
   
   Uninstall the software for the USB peripheral devices.
   *
   
   Shutdown and boot to Safe Mode -> Device Manager
   
   Windows Safe Mode -> Control Panel -> System Properties -> Device Manager. In the view Tab Select the Show Hidden Devices Option
   
   The order of removal must be followed exactly
   
   *
   
   
   Delete USB peripheral devices (Scanners, Printers, Cameras etc.)
   *
   
   Delete HID and/or Composite USB (Human Interface Devices)
   *
   
   Delete USB Root Hub(s) (Universal Host Controllers)
   *
   
   Delete USB Host Controller(s) (Universal Host Controllers)
   
   Note: You can Navigate in Safe Mode using the keyboard Tab, Alt, Crtl and Arrow keys.
   
   The Universal Serial Bus Controller and Human Interface Device headings should disappear completely from the Device Manager. Before rebooting to Windows Standard Mode, insert the Windows CD into the CDROM drive and direct Windows to look in, (Example D: / Win98, where D is the letter of the CDROM drive on your system), Win9X folder on the CDROM when/if prompted.
   
   UNPLUG ALL USB DEVICES BEFORE BOOTING TO WINDOWS
   
   USB Does NOT like to share it's IRQ with another device especially when the user is employing sophisticated USB peripherals. Even though Windows may report NO conflict, if USB is sharing its IRQ with another system peripheral, (i.e. video, sound, SCSI etc.), that is often the source of the problem. (IRQ Holder for PCI Steering is NOT considered another device)
   

   This post created with FASS

2. <a name="article2"></a>

   View: Removing USB entries from the Windows Device Manager // Source: Sonydigital-link (http://www.sonydigital-link.com)
   

   Abstract: "Cleaning up USB can only be done when your computer is in SAFE MODE."   click to show 

   
   
   Removing USB entries from the Windows Device Manager
   \
   by Sony
   
   
   Cleaning up USB can only be done when your computer is in SAFE MODE.
   
   * Windows 98 - The following procedure can resolve Windows conflicts by removing old/unused device entries that are installed in virtual mode.
   * Windows XP and 2000 - Removing USB devices in Safe Mode will make the OS refresh the USB driver stack and may cause a shift in IRQ assignment.
   
   Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu
   
   1. Normal
   
   2. Logged (\BOOTLOG.TXT)
   
   3. Safe mode
   
   4. Safe mode with network support
   
   5. Step-by-step confirmation
   
   6. Command prompt only
   
   7. Safe mode command prompt only
   
   Enter a choice: 1 Time remaining: 06
   
   To start Windows in SAFE MODE:
   
   1. Press the F8 or Ctrl key just before the Windows logo appears.
   2. When the Start Up Menu appears, select SAFE MODE.
   3. Windows will inform you that you are in SAFE MODE.
   4. If you are using a USB mouse you may not have mouse support.
   
   NOTE: If you remove the USB entries completely then it may create problems for the users who have both USB keyboard and mouse connected. Connect at least one PS2 device (mouse or keyboard) that will enable you to browse the device manager.
   
   Removing USB Completely
   
   If USB is sharing an IRQ with another device and you are attempting to free the IRQ, or you need to refresh the USB driver stack, you must remove ALL USB elements completely. Windows will refresh the USB driver stack when you reboot to Windows Standard mode. In Windows Standard Mode (when the computer has started normally, no Safe Mode)
   
   * Unplug all USB devices except keyboard and/or mouse.
   * Uninstall the software for the USB peripheral devices.
   * Shutdown and start Windows in Safe Mode - Device Manager
   * Restart Windows in Safe Mode - go to Control Panel - System Properties - Device Manager.
   * In the View Tab, select the Show Hidden Devices Option
   
   The order of removal must be followed exactly:
   
   * Delete USB peripheral devices (Scanners, Printers, Cameras etc.)
   * Delete HID and/or Composite USB (Human Interface Devices)
   * Delete USB Root Hub(s) (Universal Host Controllers)
   * Delete USB Host Controller(s) (Universal Host Controllers)
   
   Please note that you can browse in Safe Mode using the keyboard Tab, by pressing Alt, Crtl and Arrow keys. The Universal Serial Bus Controller and Human Interface Device headings should disappear completely from the Device Manager. Before starting Windows in Standard Mode:
   
   * Insert the Windows CD into the CDROM drive and browse to Look in ( For example D: / Win98, where D is the letter of the CDROM drive on your system), Win9X folder on the CDROM when/if prompted.
   * Unplug all the USB devices before starting Windows.
   * USB does NOT like to share it's IRQ with another device especially when the user is employing sophisticated USB peripherals. Even though Windows may report NO conflict, if USB is sharing its IRQ with another system peripheral, (i.e. video, sound, SCSI etc.), that is often the source of the problem. (IRQ Holder for PCI Steering is NOT considered another device)
   
   

   This post created with FASS

[Cynthetiq]

this happened again to me, but this time I shut down the computer before removing the USB device.

I added the device back on a before a power on, and no worky... so I disabled, restarted. Renenabled and it came back to life.

strange.