USB Ports Don't Work Properly After Reinstallation of Windows XP

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744

By the way, I did install the Dell System Software (under Utilities on the Resource CD) first, so I don't think that the software needing to be installed in a certain order should be an issue in this case. 

Have you looked in Device Manager for your Universal Serial Bus Controllers to see what the issue might be? Are there yellow exclamtion marks by some of them? Are the drivers for all of them the same? The driver is alsmost certainly a generic Windows driver which is already in Windows on your system.

Jeff :emotion-22:

It sounds like the Intel chipset drivers (for the motherboard) was skipped.  This is often overlooked on an install/reinstall and MUST be installed before installing some devices, and some devices will not work or work properly without the chipset drivers.   One of the prime things the chipset drivers do is define (identify) all the hardware devices on the motherboard.

On an install/reinstall the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop (or Laptop) System Software (3) Install chipset drivers (4) Install Device Drivers including Video, sound, ethernet, etc.

Usually, if the chipset drivers were skipped they can be installed, the PC restarted, and any missing device driver installed.  In a few cases it will take a new, correct sequence, install to get everything working.

Jeff,

Thanks for the suggestions.  I re-installed Windows XP, installed the drivers from the Dell Resource CD, and I have exactly the same problems.  I checked Device Manager and it lists all eight USB ports, and no problems for any of them -- no yellow exclamation marks, etc.  Also, I checked the status of the driver for all eight ports and Device Manager says that they are all working properly.

You seem to have a point about the USB drivers being part of the Windows XP OS.  As the computer was cycling through the installation process for Windows XP, there are notices that there were USB drivers being installed.  At least, I seem to remember that.  It doesn't get me any closer to solving my problem, but I thought you might like to know.

fireberd,

Thanks for the suggestions.  I re-installed Windows XP and followed the order that you suggested (same as Dell's, by the way) and I have exactly the same problems as before.  What's weird is that your description sounds exactly like the kinds of problems that I'm having with my USB ports, but your solution doesn't help any.  What's even weirder is that the Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility listed on the Dell Drivers and Downloads page has exactly the same number as the one on my Dell Resource CD (R158363) but is listed as Optional, not Recommended or Urgent.  What's up with that?  If the USB ports won't work right without this additional chipset driver being installed, how could installing this R158363 driver be anything less than Urgent?

I just don't get this.  I can't believe that Dell has provided a competent procedure for getting the computer going again after re-installing the OS, etc.  I wonder if this isn't a warranty issue since it would seem that Dell has an obligation to provide a competent procedure for dealing with this situation.  I really hate to take the computer into the shop because of Dell's screw-up but I'm running out of ideas here.

Since you now have the drivers installed in the correct order........... I would try uninstalling the USB ports in Device Manager, reboot - at that point windows should reinstall them with the most up to date drivers and they would be installed AFTER the chipset. I don't know what else to try..........

Jeff :emotion-22:

Jeff,

Thanks for the suggestion. I uninstalled all eight USB drivers in Device Manager and they all were re-installed, either fairly immediately or after a restart.  I still have exactly the same problems.  My Dell Inspiron 530S now has the following driver for all eight USB ports.

Intel, 2/5/2007, version 8.3.1011.

I have access to an older Dell (Dimension B110) and it has the following driver.

Intel, 9/2/2005, version 7.2.1001.

My MP3 player works with this older system so my problem can't be due to older, out-dated drivers for the USB ports.  I wonder if there isn't other software that is either interacting (or not interacting) in a way that is different that what I had previous to re-installing Windows XP.  I think that I will start a new thread with that approach.  There has to be some kind of answer here.

It sounds like the Intel chipset drivers (for the motherboard) was skipped. This is often overlooked on an install/reinstall and MUST be installed before installing some devices, and some devices will not work or work properly without the chipset drivers. One of the prime things the chipset drivers do is define (identify) all the hardware devices on the motherboard. On an install/reinstall the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop (or Laptop) System Software (3) Install chipset drivers (4) Install Device Drivers including Video, sound, ethernet, etc. Usually, if the chipset drivers were skipped they can be installed, the PC restarted, and any missing device driver installed. In a few cases it will take a new, correct sequence, install to get everything working.