USB drives not working

Question

I am having problems getting my USB drives to work. They will not recognize anything I put in, from my digital camera, and now it's stopped recognizing my printer. What are common resolutions to fix this? Or is my computer just busted? Windows XP Dimension 1100/B110 series

beachfireboat · Answer

I don't have any suggestions but I feel your pain.   I have spent probably close to 40 hours with Dell support trying to resolve the same problem with my 520 with Vista. I have had this problem from day 1. Apparently this can be a tough problem to diagnose. Tech support has always been trying to help, so I am not knocking them.   They have looked at the USB root hubs, downloaded updates to the chipset, tweaked the BIOS (which I think is now causing my computer to sometimes freeze on boot up), replaced the motherboard, had me un-install and re-install Vista twice. Still, with most of my USB devices, they will be recognized but I get the message that I need to install drivers (that should be in Vista already).   At various times, the printer did not work, the keyboard and mouse also, my external hard drive currently does not work, my flash drives, my camera, my Ipod and my Zip drive do not work in any of the ports. Same message each time, found new hardware, need to locate drivers.   A Dell tech is supposed to call me tonight to follow up and I will have to tell him that we are still at square one, nothing has changed. I don't know much but I don't think it is a hardware issue, it may be a firmware problem. The tech that replaced the motherboard suggested I request a preloaded hard drive with the latest versions of the OS and drivers but I'm not sure that is the problem and Dell is not receptive to that idea anyway.   Good luck!

ronnyron99 · Answer

yes it sounds like a issue with windows vista itself which is why i am not to ready to jump on the vista bandwagon just yet

beachfireboat · Answer

I'm not sure that it is Vista. My son recently built a computer himself for gaming (quad core, dual video cards, dual screens, etc,,,) with Vista 64 bit and he has had absoutely no problems at all.   Yeah, if I had the luxury of waiting to get a new computer until Vista had been out there for a year or so, I would have. But, I do like it overall.

Alexandra_P · Answer

Bineshi - to get to your original question. Here are some places to start. This is Microsoft's troubleshooting guide - a bit dense, but some useful info in there.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575

Here's more possibly useful info - especially the very last one about power management:

http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/pc-troubleshooting-solve-usb-power-problems/166344

You could also try running your system hardware diagnostics - if there's a hardware failure, hopefully that will pick it up.

EDIT: Just a fair warning - USB problems are rather notorious for being stubborn. I've seen posts in various places via Google where the only solution (if it wasn't a hardware failure) was a full reinstall of XP. Makes me wax nostalgic for old time serial, parallel, and PS2 ports.

Message Edited by Alexandra_P on 11-29-2007 04:17 PM

tr4 · Answer

If you got a new motherboard, your problem has to be the OS or power supply and I'm betting OS. If you have a spare drive, install any version of windows on it from 98SE on or linux. 98se will need drivers but will be good enough to test the ports. I'd order the reinstallation cd if you haven't already.

RoHe · Answer

Try the generic fix for USB problems. Unplug all USB devices, except mouse and keyboard. Reboot.

Open Device Manager and expand list under USB. Right-click and uninstall all USB entries. Reboot and XP will reinstall the USB ports. Now try connecting/testing one USB device at a time.

It's possible that you have so many USB devices connected at same time that you're exceeding the power limits the PC can supply to the USB ports. In that case, you'll need to purchase an externally powered USB hub and connect that to a rear USB port on the PC. Plug power-hungry printers, cameras, scanners into the powered USB hub.

Ron

Bineshii · Answer

Yeah. I thought I got it fixed not long after I posted this, it started recognizing my printer again after I uninstalled my drivers and reinstalled them. But woke up this morning to print a paper and it stopped recognizing my printer. again. I actually have an externally powered USB hub at the moment, and it won't recognize my printer there. I do have my mouse and keyboard plugged in the USB ports, as well as a usb cord for my mp3 player, but I rarely actually use that cord. then finally, there's the USB cord for my external USB hub. That's what I have plugged in constantly. If it's plugged in (may be a dumb question), but not being used, does that consume power? I'm not to computer savvy. Know the basics, but really don't know specifics. I don't wanna reinstall the Windows program because I have no idea how to do that!

tr4 · Answer

Ok if it worked and then did not work. I'd say your ports are ok. Sounds like you may a little usb overload. You said you had a powered hub, but maybe it has a problem. Try not using the hub and plug in the things you need and see how it goes. It may be one of the cables got pinched and causing problems. My guess is that your problem is external to the box

RoHe · Answer

Are you leaving the PC on all the time? If so, disconnect all USB devices except mouse and keyboard. Open Device Manager and expand list under USB. Double-click on first USB root hub and click Power Management tab. Uncheck the box "allow PC to turn off this device...". Click ok and repeat this process for each USB root hub.

Reboot when they've all been done.

Ron

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USB drives not working

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