Why does my compy keep doing this? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

scansinboy · 12-25-2004, 08:01 PM

Here's my problem:
I first noticed it when every so often the cable modem connection will cut out. Lately it seems that it's been happening withing the first hour of turning on or rebooting the computer, (although sometimes it stays working for days at a time.)

However, I have just recently discovered, that it's not only the cable modem, but all or most of the other perhipheral devices as well. (Printer, scanner and memory card reader) that stop working all at once, or at least stop being able to communicate with the computer.

So what program or aspect of the software (Win 2K) is deciding to crap out for no particular reason? Can I simply rerun the program because lately the only thing I can figure to do to get everything running again is to re-boot.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Oh and Merry Christmas!

cyrnel · 12-25-2004, 08:11 PM

We could start shooting in the dark but more information would help. How are all these things that stop working connected to your computer? Various ports or all USB? If USB, are they connected via an external hub? Don't want to go far down a blind alley but you could have one component taking everything else down and it may not be the computer's fault at all. Let us know more about what's connected and how, and if you turn it all on at once or switch things on and off at different times.

scansinboy · 12-25-2004, 09:39 PM

They are all USB connected. I have two ports in the front and two in the back. The

At totally random times, the cable modem will lose its connection. I can tell this when all of a sudden I get a "AIM service can't be reached" message.
In the past, it I got an Unplug hardware alert sometimes up to a dozen a night, but I attribute that to problems with the cable service rather than the computer.

Once I see that the cable connection has gone out, I test the printer, which is then seen as being offline. Then the scanner, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. And the little LED that tells me the card reader is connected is off as well.

OK here's something new, The Cable modem has both the USB and Ethernet? cable plugged in. When I disconnected the USB cable I got the same AIM servince message, and it wouldn't come back, even after plugging in the USB cable.

I guess my question is this: Is there a USB controling program than I can rerun to get the connection going again, or do I just have to reboot every time this happens? BTW, the computer is about 5 years old and it's almost always on.

cyrnel · 12-26-2004, 04:08 AM

Start by moving your cable modem to Ethernet. It sounds like you're saying it has both types of connections available? I'm crossing my fingers that you don't have both the modem's USB and Ethernet ports connected at the same time.

You say you get many "unplug hardware" alerts. Do you mean the "you disconnected a USB device improperly" alert? That's bad and nothing to do with your cable internet service. Could be a physical cabling/wire/plug problem though.

I count 4 devices and you said 4 ports total. Do you just have one device plugged per computer port or is there an external hub?

Doesn't sound like you have any High Power devices connected that would overload the 500mA limit but I'd still try fewer devices & see how it works. Gets us back to moving the cable modem to Ethernet. It's a better connection method anyway, especially since you mostly likely are using USB 1.1 (12Mb bandwidth). Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

12-25-2004, 08:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
scansinboy Insane Location: Milwaukee	Why does my compy keep doing this? Here's my problem: I first noticed it when every so often the cable modem connection will cut out. Lately it seems that it's been happening withing the first hour of turning on or rebooting the computer, (although sometimes it stays working for days at a time.) However, I have just recently discovered, that it's not only the cable modem, but all or most of the other perhipheral devices as well. (Printer, scanner and memory card reader) that stop working all at once, or at least stop being able to communicate with the computer. So what program or aspect of the software (Win 2K) is deciding to crap out for no particular reason? Can I simply rerun the program because lately the only thing I can figure to do to get everything running again is to re-boot. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Oh and Merry Christmas! __________________ Don't blame me... I voted for Kodos!

12-25-2004, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
scansinboy Insane Location: Milwaukee	They are all USB connected. I have two ports in the front and two in the back. The At totally random times, the cable modem will lose its connection. I can tell this when all of a sudden I get a "AIM service can't be reached" message. In the past, it I got an Unplug hardware alert sometimes up to a dozen a night, but I attribute that to problems with the cable service rather than the computer. Once I see that the cable connection has gone out, I test the printer, which is then seen as being offline. Then the scanner, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. And the little LED that tells me the card reader is connected is off as well. OK here's something new, The Cable modem has both the USB and Ethernet? cable plugged in. When I disconnected the USB cable I got the same AIM servince message, and it wouldn't come back, even after plugging in the USB cable. I guess my question is this: Is there a USB controling program than I can rerun to get the connection going again, or do I just have to reboot every time this happens? BTW, the computer is about 5 years old and it's almost always on. __________________ Don't blame me... I voted for Kodos!

12-25-2004, 08:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	We could start shooting in the dark but more information would help. How are all these things that stop working connected to your computer? Various ports or all USB? If USB, are they connected via an external hub? Don't want to go far down a blind alley but you could have one component taking everything else down and it may not be the computer's fault at all. Let us know more about what's connected and how, and if you turn it all on at once or switch things on and off at different times.

12-26-2004, 04:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Start by moving your cable modem to Ethernet. It sounds like you're saying it has both types of connections available? I'm crossing my fingers that you don't have both the modem's USB and Ethernet ports connected at the same time. You say you get many "unplug hardware" alerts. Do you mean the "you disconnected a USB device improperly" alert? That's bad and nothing to do with your cable internet service. Could be a physical cabling/wire/plug problem though. I count 4 devices and you said 4 ports total. Do you just have one device plugged per computer port or is there an external hub? Doesn't sound like you have any High Power devices connected that would overload the 500mA limit but I'd still try fewer devices & see how it works. Gets us back to moving the cable modem to Ethernet. It's a better connection method anyway, especially since you mostly likely are using USB 1.1 (12Mb bandwidth). Give it a try and let us know how it goes.