Optiplex G1 BIOS w/o USB-Support

Marcus_Berndt,

Are you using USB 2.0 devices? I think this system as USB 1.1 ports.

Hello Chris,

i tried both: USB 2.0 (MemStick) and 1.1 Device (WLAN Adapter).

How do i get control over the USB ports in the BIOS? :smileysad:

Isn't it strange that there is no possible adjustment in the BIOS
although i loaded the newest BIOS version? :smileysurprised:

And that the devices get no power from the USB-Adapters?
Does a jumper exists to control the USB-Adapters?

Thank you for your response,
regards Marcus :smileywink:

Message Edited by Marcus_Berndt on 05-29-2005 05:59 AM

You tried 2 things that need 500MA of power at the USB ports and the G1 DOES NOT PROVIDE that much power at the ports.

If you attach a Semi Powered or Powered hub First it will detect and run the devices.

The only "device" that will work with those ports is a 100ma Mouse.

The DRBOTT Solution is the Easiest and most Reliable solution.
Turns out to be the least expensive also.

Had this argument already with several techs that work for me.  Ended up that I had to fire 2 of them because they were too stubborn to listen to me and use a powered hub telling the user that they had been given defective equipment that didnt support usb memory keys.  I use the T3 hubs with Dell Laptops as well as with desktops. 

http://www.drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?code=3105-T3IB

Thank You for your solutions, but it doesn't work...

Not with the DRBOTT-Adapter and not with only a mouse.

In the BIOS there is no point "USB" under integrated periphals.
Not in any BIOS version from 3 up to 10!

Is there a hardware jumper to activate the USB port?
Or any trick?
There is no power at the USB port... Maybe it's defect?

Regards, Marcus

The USB Southbridge is probably fried then. Adding High power devices to the usb ports has burned out the usb chip. Sounds like its time for a new system or a new motherboard at a minimum.

SpeedStep,

Thanks for all the help you provide on the DCF. Do you know what Dell systems DO provide 500MA of power at the USB ports? I couldn't find the information in the Dell User Guides.

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@Anonymous-ChrisM wrote:
SpeedStep,

Thanks for all the help you provide on the DCF. Do you know what Dell systems DO provide 500MA of power at the USB ports? I couldn't find the information in the Dell User Guides.

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I don't have a list of which ones do and dont.  Generally The GX1,GX100,GX110 dont.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the design never had 500ma at EACH port for more than 2 ports in the spec.  This is why there is a setting to show how much power and bandwidth to allocate for each port.  On some systems like Macintosh OS the system will enforce this by telling you that you have plugged something into the bus that will not support that much power.  AKA when you plug a 4 gig memory key into the passive usb hub on the keyboard it will tell you that you dont have enuf power.  Adding the

DRBOTT solution or powered hub alleviates this.

It has been said that Dell knowledge base document FA1021802,
that a USB device such as a scanner or printer may not be detected
or function correctly when connected to the USB port of a
Dell Latitude or Inspiron PC (it may occur on other models as well).  I am unable to find Said document.

I did search for it but never came across where this was listed.

The GX240/260/270/280 tend to be ok on the back but not the front?

Early systems like the GXi have the 440HX chipset and therefore USB 1.0 spec not usb 1.1 and so the USB CHIPSET has erratta that usually cannot be overcome.   Because the 440HX is hardware USB 1.0 it cannot be made to be USB 1.1 via software aka its NOT FIXABLE.  This is also why early USB ports were disabled by default by many manufacturers.  Generally OHCI USB 1.1 PCI cards with OPTI chipsets work fine in these systems.  Its not worth getting USB 2.0 cards because they are usually PCI 2.2 and many older boards are only PCI 2.1 or 2.0 compliant so they will hang or otherwise not work with USB 2.0 cards.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/bus/usb/USBFAQ_intro.mspx

The bcdUSB field in the standard device descriptor must accurately report the USB specification release number that the device and its descriptors are compliant with.

• 0x0100 (USB 1.0) 
• 0x0110 (USB 1.1) 
• 0x0200 (USB 2.0)

I just have a working knowledge of systems as old as the Gxi and as new as the GX280 and 8400 series.

Some of the systems have Power thats fine on the back ports but not the front. I guess they use a passive hub up front to save money.

There are also problems with the southbridge ports getting blown. Thats INTEL's fault
for putting out a reference design spec that allows them to get zapped by electricity.

If you have been using Dell for a long time the problem was Identified many years ago
with PALM Devices with USB docking and with different types of USB drive case and ALL IN ONE printers or Scanners and devices that want the full 500ma off of the ports because they draw power from the ports EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE an additional power supply.

The DRBOTT solution is something I have used for a while because for mobile users it allows them to still be "mobile" as opposed to being Tethered.

I recently found a USB 2.0 solution that works this way.
Cyberpower makes a POWERED usb 2.0 hub that has Rechargeable batteries. 

I purchased one at a Wallmart in New Jersy.
Brand CyberPower
Mfg Part# CP-H420MP

Interesting Review here of this product. I hope they do well as this solution is one of the best problem solvers in a while. The DRBOTT works but when you have USB 2.0 you want the speed advantage as well as mobility.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=20477

http://www.provantage.com/buy-7cypr010-4-port-usb-2-0-hub-w-batteries-cyberpower-cp-h420mp-shopping.htm

http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?page=productpage&affid=3&pn=CPH420MP

Another item I will throw in here is that I base many of my assertions on things that I have acually tried and work for me.  If there is a Dell Engineer that has a disagreement with any of my assertions I am more than willing to discuss in writing any of my conclusions and the basis for them.  I do not work for dell and I have been using Dell since it was PC's Limited and they had an 8088 motherboard.  I have not exclusively used dell as I have also used Apple and HP and Compaq and Gateway and Micron and Toshiba and Sony and Emachines and Packard Bell and NEC as well as many brands that are long since dead and buried.

So if you don't like what you hear here then post a reason why.  If you attempt to send me many vitrious angry private messages screaming at me about service or warranty or other things not within my control then you will be put on ignore.  

Message Edited by SpeedStep on 07-02-2005 01:29 PM