My USB ports seem to be dead

Question

I just purchased a portable USB storage device, 128MB. When I plug it into my other computer with Windows ME, it is emmediately recognized and works just fine.

However, when I plug it into my DELL Optiplex GX1, with Windows 98SE the computer is supposed to find it and then ask for the drivers CD, which I do have.

The lady from Kingston told me that I have to enable the USB ports in the BIOS. Unfortunately I can't see any settings for USB. This is a very simple BIOS, only two pages. The name is:System Optiplex GX1 500MTbr+ Setup BIOS version A07.

Now I did download and install the latest version, which is A10. But I still have exactly the same two pages. Only now it says A10.

Is anybody familiar with this BIOS? Did I miss something? Also, the Device Manager in Windows has the following: Universal Serial Bus Controllers> Intel82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controllers>USB Root HUB.

Doesn't this mean that the USB ports are installed? I'm not too experienced, so I can't quite figure all this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

JessieLeeHarris · Answer

First go into the device manager and make sure that this connection is installed and has no problems. You may want to install the drivers first then attach the device to the system and see if it finds it then.

CHRISTOF-S · Answer

Thanks Jessie:

As I stated near the end of my post, I did look in the device manager, and there don't seem to be any problems.

Could it be that some jumpers have to be set on the motherboard to enable the USB ports? Anybody know?

djgarcia · Answer

if device manager is seeing the host comtrollers, then the USB ports are enabled in the BIOS.

With win98Se, you need to use the drivers that come from kingston for the usb key. here is the link to there web site : http://www.kingston.com/support/downloads/usbdatatrav/default.asp

CHRISTOF-S · Answer

Thank you very much djgarcia. But I think there must be some kind of physical problem on the motherboard, with the USB jacks, as this drive works just fine on a couple of other Windows 98 computers.

djgarcia · Answer

do you have other USB devices that you can test with?

USB mouse? or USB printer? are those recognized?

The only other thing to consider is thatyour new memory key is most likely USB2.0. the Gx1 was one of the first systems to even have USB as an option. your key might not work in the port. If you really need to use that key, then try a USB PCI expansion card.

Message Edited by djgarcia on 08-18-2004 05:01 PM

Arvodog · Answer

I have a similar problem except mine is a 128M SanDisk Mini Cruzer and it doesn't work on my office Dimension 4100 w/Windows 98SE but does work with my home Dimension w/Windows 98SE. I loaded the SanDisk 98SE driver files on both, but my office unit refuses to 'see' the drive. I've checked the system Device Manager and it reports that the device is working properly. Anyone have a suggestion????

CHRISTOF-S · Answer

Thanks for the reply djgarcia: This key-chain drive works with Windows 98SE and USB 1. Actually on another Win 98 computer I did not even have to install the drivers from the cd. Just pluging it in and starting the computer and there it was listed with all the other drives, and it worked just fine.

For some reason the usb ports on my Dell must not be connected. Maybe I'll try a usb card next.

Scribe24 · Answer

Arvodog,   I had the same problem with my USB key, found out a fix. It may be related to drive letters and network (or local) disks you may have on your computer at work.   Check :   http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=oplex_printer&message.id=1448

Arvodog · Answer

Scribe24, Thanks for the reply. Fortunately I found out about the drive letter conflict through a tech call with ScanDisk shortly after I posted that reply and that was indeed the problem. Since I cleared that up, no problem!!

Storage, Drives & Media

My USB ports seem to be dead

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