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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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 Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject: Certain USB devices aren't detected |
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Hello,
So, I have the problem that certain USB devices don't work anymore on one of the computers (XP Pro, SP3)..however, other USB devices still work..
The devices which still work are: keyboard, webcam, USB modem, one USB flash drive (256MB large)
The ones which I've connected that don't work are: printer, any other USB storage device (note that they're all larger than 256MB, if that makes any difference)
With not working, I mean that the computer detects that they're connected, but I get a warning pop-up informing me that the USB device wasn't recognised..
I've tried various USB ports, and now even went as far as a fresh install (re-formatted the whole HD to wipe it clean, and then installed), thinking that would solve it and it was time for that anyways
But no..the problem prevails..I now have no idea what it could be..something wrong with the USB ports? That wouldn't explain why the named devices above do work, and the others don't, though..?
Can't be the software, surely, seeing I've done a clean install?
I'm left somewhat clueless once again..
El |
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goretsky
Joined: Dec 07, 2002
Posts: 9041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:52 am Post subject: |
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Hello,
Try running the Device Manager (filename: DEVMGMT.MSC), deleting the devices from the system which no longer work and then connecting them to the computer. Are they now detected correctly and drivers installed for them by the Microsoft Windows XP SP3?
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:23 am Post subject: |
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I have tried that now, but I cannot uninstall the device (I'm now taking the printer as an example)..
If I try and uninstall it from the Device Manager, I get a message telling me that this device cannot be uninstalled 
I can only get it to install anew when I connect it to a new USB port..
When the computer then tries to install the device, I get a pop-up first mentioning that new hardware has been found, then a pop-up informing me that it was successfully installed..and then I get another pop-up informing me that the USB device was not recognised and is not functioning properly..
When I click on the device that's malfunctioning in the Device Manager, it states that there are no drivers installed..
El
I forgot to add in my first post, another device which isn't detected correctly is a 7-port USB hub.. |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2636
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Is the 7 port hub powered? |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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| The hub is indeed powered.. |
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goretsky
Joined: Dec 07, 2002
Posts: 9041
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:32 am Post subject: |
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Hello,
Perhaps the driver cache is corrupt? Try starting the computer in Safe Mode and deleting the C:\WINDOWS\INF\INFCACHE.1 file, removing the device from the Device Manager and then rebooting into Windows as normal. Does that have any effect?
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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I now tried that, and I at least managed to uninstall the devices from the Device Manager..
Upon booting up again, as normal, the devices which don't work took unusually long to install, but alas..they still only installed as 'Unknown device'..and I still get the same error pop-up that they're not recognised  |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2636
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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This might remove the printer. http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm
Open device manager on the two computers and note if anything extra or different is running on the computer that can't install USB devices. I assume that on both the device is being removed and then trying to be installed while logged in as an administrator. I also assume that the security software is the same.
Another place to check. Open services from the Control Panel/Admin Tools then services and see if the settings match on both computers. |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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@ zlim
Thanks for the link..I'm not sure if it'll help, but 'll try it out..
If I understand what you wrote correctly, I should compare what's installed in the Device Manager on the XP computer, with another computer on which the devices work?
I'm afraid I don't have two identical computers..I could only compare the XP machine with a Vista..which would have the same security programs..
I am logged in as an administrator..
I'm not sure if I completely misunderstood what you wrote..I hope not..but I think I may be somewhat confused 
El
Last edited by el on Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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I did find this while googling the problem..
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I am also experiencing that problem although it is not just limited to a flash drive. My laptop was working fine until a friend of mine inserted his flash drive to copy some files. The same message appeared so i turned off my laptop (with the flashdrive still in the USB slot), remove the flashdrive and restarted. Everytime we did that the same message appears so we stopped thinking that a driver is needed (although we know it is supposed to be plug-n-play).
And after that, all USB devices I tried to use gets the same message. I already reformatted my hard disk thinking that the system has been corrupted but unfortunately the same message now appears. |
which happens to pretty exactly explain my problem..
and in reply to the above problem, someone wrote:
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Try to clean up your mother board. Phisically.
After u've cleaned it. change the jumper of the USB power in the motherboard. Release it and reconnect it.
Its work. Recently i have the same problem, and when i release the jumper then change it to another position (from 5V to 5 VSB -- i change 3 jumper related to USB power), my flash disk is recognized.
formatting or reinstalling windows won't help. i've tried it. |
Now I'd very much like to try out this suggestion..and the cleaning part isn't a problem..I just happen to have absolutely no idea where to find the USB power jumper..actually, I don't really understand any of that paragraph..
I'm guessing no-one can tell me where to find the right jumper without looking at the exact mobo that I have..but is there any way in which you can generally see which jumper on the mobo is which?
Thanks..
El |
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zlim
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 2636
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| Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Forget what I wrote about comparing things in device manager. I didn't realize we were talking two different Operating Systems. |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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Ahh, alright :]
I do have another XP Pro machine..but it has completely different programs installed, including different security software etc..and other than that, there's an XP Home netbook..but once again, it has different software
So I guess that doesn't really make a difference..and I can't try out your suggestion?
Thanks anyway 
Any input is welcome 
El |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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So..the problem is solved :]
I decided to have a look in the computer, and at least clean up the mobo..see if I can possibly figure out which jumper is meant to be the USB power jumper..(no luck there)
So I just cleaned the mobo and reset the bios..after which everything is working perfectly again..
I'm not sure which of the two (cleaning or resetting) did the trick..but I'm glad it's working again, either way
El |
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