USB device not recognized

Question

I have a brand new XPS 410. Dell replaced my first tower after 21 days for the same problems I am still having. I keep getting the message 'USB device not recognized - One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned & windows does not recognize it...' I have my monitor, external harddrive, and dell printer hooked up to the USB ports on back of the tower. I have the mouse, keyboard, and webcam hooked up to the ports on the monitor. When I get the above message, I power down the computer, unhook the power cord from back of the tower for about 5 minutes. This resets it then everything works fine for a while but I have to keep doing this about once every two weeks. When I had the first tower Dell replaced the motherboard but that didn't help the problem. When they replaced the tower I didn't start having this problem for about a month.

BloodRaven · Answer

I had that issue once with a Logitech Harmony Remote that connected to my PC for me to program it.   Turned out that the remote itself had a bad circuit board.  Once I got a new remote, everything was working as it should.   First thing you need to do is pinpoint exactly which device is causing the message to appear.

vfgodish · Answer

I suspected it to be my Simpletech external hard drive. I contacted that company and they told me with Dell computers it works best with a USB hub. Then I read several articles that say it's best to plug external hard drives and other devices directly into the USB ports. I really don't know what to do.

BloodRaven · Answer

Well, if you need a powered USB hub, that could very well resolve your problems. Can't hurt to give it a shot.   I don't think they are very expensive.  Just make sure you get a 'powered' USB hub.     The only reason it might be a better idea to plug straight into the system would be for bandwidth.  Not sure if an external USB hub would cause data transfer speed loss, but it's always possible.  If it does, it can't be very much loss.

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