Major USB reliability problems

[Rich T]

I am having HUGE problems with unreliable USB ports. Accessories (including
mouse and keyboard) stop working at random. New Hardware wizard does not
start when plugging in new USB accessories. Vista can never find drivers - I
have to point it to the win/system32 folder. I usually have to install
drivers two or three times before anything works.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling USB root hub drivers from Device
Manager - but this is very difficult to do in any logical and methodical
fashion because there are about eight or nine "USB root Hub" branches, none
of them really give any information about what they actually do, so if I
delete anything to do with the mouse or keyboard then I lose the interface
and because Vista will not install drivers automatically then it becomes
impossible to get back control of computer (what do you do if neither mouse
or keyboard works?). After maybe ten hard reboots, I eventually get keyboard
back, then I can get mouse back by manually reinstalling the drivers
(usually three or four times is necessary). Eventually I get things working
again - then the mouse will randomly fail again a few days later and I am
forced to start all over again.

I have installed all the USB fixes from the microsoft site.

Are there any solutions to the Vista USB problems (except XP)?

 

[Alias]

I am having HUGE problems with unreliable USB ports. Accessories
(including mouse and keyboard) stop working at random. New Hardware
wizard does not start when plugging in new USB accessories. Vista can
never find drivers - I have to point it to the win/system32 folder. I
usually have to install drivers two or three times before anything works.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling USB root hub drivers from
Device Manager - but this is very difficult to do in any logical and
methodical fashion because there are about eight or nine "USB root Hub"
branches, none of them really give any information about what they
actually do, so if I delete anything to do with the mouse or keyboard
then I lose the interface and because Vista will not install drivers
automatically then it becomes impossible to get back control of computer
(what do you do if neither mouse or keyboard works?). After maybe ten
hard reboots, I eventually get keyboard back, then I can get mouse back
by manually reinstalling the drivers (usually three or four times is
necessary). Eventually I get things working again - then the mouse will
randomly fail again a few days later and I am forced to start all over
again.

I have installed all the USB fixes from the microsoft site.

Are there any solutions to the Vista USB problems (except XP)?

Yep, www.ubuntu.com/

Alias

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

I am having HUGE problems with unreliable USB ports. Accessories
(including mouse and keyboard) stop working at random. New Hardware
wizard does not start when plugging in new USB accessories. Vista can
never find drivers - I have to point it to the win/system32 folder. I
usually have to install drivers two or three times before anything works.

I think it's more a hardware issue. A dead USB device? Damaged metal
traces in the USB ports?

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 19:31:01 up 5:44 0 users load average: 1.02 1.05 1.01
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Alias]

I think it's more a hardware issue. A dead USB device? Damaged metal
traces in the USB ports?

Instead of guessing, the OP should run a Live Ubuntu CD and see if the
USB ports work or not. I would guess that it's Windows, as usual.

Alias

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

Instead of guessing, the OP should run a Live Ubuntu CD and see if the

USB ports work or not. I would guess that it's Windows, as usual.

Not trying to protect Vi$ta, so far I don't have any USB-related problem
(other than 64-bit driver availability for some obscure/special hardware).

My motherboard is Asus M2N-E.

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 19:47:01 up 6:00 0 users load average: 1.00 1.04 1.00
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Alias]

Not trying to protect Vi$ta, so far I don't have any USB-related problem
(other than 64-bit driver availability for some obscure/special hardware).

My motherboard is Asus M2N-E.

That means nothing. I just worked on an XP computer that had a BSOD
saying that there were memory problems. It wouldn't boot into any mode,
safe or normal. I wiped XP and installed Ubuntu and, surprise, surprise,
no memory problems. The problem was that XP got borked as any version
of Windows eventually gets.

Alias

 

[Rich T]

Yep, www.ubuntu.com/

OK and can it run specialist flying software like Jeppesen Flitestar? Or
sailing software like Nobeltech Navigator?

If I just wanted a computer to look at the internet and play itunes I would
have got a Mac years ago. But I need a computer to run other software, not
just office stuff.

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

That means nothing. I just worked on an XP computer that had a BSOD

saying that there were memory problems. It wouldn't boot into any mode,
safe or normal. I wiped XP and installed Ubuntu and, surprise, surprise,
no memory problems. The problem was that XP got borked as any version
of Windows eventually gets.

Mind to post a detailed spec of your PC?

I could install 32-bit XP, 64-bit Vi$ta and 64-bit Fedora 7 on my M2N-E,
A-Data DDR2-8000 RAM, 8600GT display card. May try Ubuntu later.

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 20:11:01 up 6:24 0 users load average: 1.06 1.03 1.01
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

safe or normal. I wiped XP and installed Ubuntu and, surprise, surprise,

no memory problems. The problem was that XP got borked as any version
of Windows eventually gets.

Also, Linux is more forgiving about hardware glitches than Window$ in
general. Good or Bad? I don't know...

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 20:13:01 up 6:26 0 users load average: 1.13 1.06 1.01
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Alias]

Mind to post a detailed spec of your PC?

I could install 32-bit XP, 64-bit Vi$ta and 64-bit Fedora 7 on my M2N-E,
A-Data DDR2-8000 RAM, 8600GT display card. May try Ubuntu later.

Ubuntu should run fine on that machine.

Alias

 

[Alias]

OK and can it run specialist flying software like Jeppesen Flitestar? Or
sailing software like Nobeltech Navigator?

I'm not familiar with that software but it should run in Wine and there
may be a comparable program in Ubuntu's repository.

If I just wanted a computer to look at the internet and play itunes I
would have got a Mac years ago. But I need a computer to run other
software, not just office stuff.

Ubuntu has access to over 23,000 free programs, not just office stuff.

In any event, you should run a Live Ubuntu CD to check to see if the USB
ports are screwed or if Windows is screwed. Running a Live CD will not
install anything on your hard drive. You can get the Live CD at ubuntu.com

Alias

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

Mind to post a detailed spec of your PC?

Ubuntu should run fine on that machine.

But will lose the IE-specific add-ons and functions. Of course, if the
users don't need them... as well as DirectX ... welll... Linux!

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 20:25:01 up 6:38 0 users load average: 1.08 1.06 1.01
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[R. McCarty]

First does your setup have the latest chipset driver installed ?
Secondly you probably need to make a change to enable viewing
of 100% of all devices in Device Manager.
To do this you have to add a System Environment Variable:
DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices
and set it's value = 1
Once added, open Device Manager and click View - tic/check the
option "Show Hidden Devices". Then open USB category and look
for any entries shown as "Unknown Device". Right Click each one &
choose Uninstall.
Also you'll want to note any entries shown in diminished tone or grayed
out. These are either "Phantoms" or devices known to the hardware
profile but not currently connected or powered on. It's not always
easy to know which ones to remove.
First thing to understand is that USB ports ( sockets ) route internally
to a dedicated Host Controller. Each Controller/Hub has limitations
on bandwidth and power consumption. A Root Hub can only provide
a maximum of 500mA of current. Newer machines have more than
a single "Enhanced" (USB2) controller, along with a companion HUB
that provides USB1(.1) support.
It is important to try and properly allocate USB devices between
the controllers/hubs to avoid overloads. This is especially true when
using "Heavy Demand" devices like Mice & Keyboards. Two types
of devices that can saturate the USB hub are PDAs and Portable
media players.
To visually see how USB devices are connected you can use a MS
Tool "USB Device Viewer" which displays the Controller/Hub/Device
map.

 

[Alias]

But will lose the IE-specific add-ons and functions.

It won't have IE at all. Good thing, too. It comes with Firefox
preinstalled and you can add Avant and/or Opera if you like.

Of course, if the
users don't need them... as well as DirectX ... welll... Linux!

Linux isn't up for gaming yet. That's the only reason I keep XP. That,
and Outlook as Evolution isn't up to Outlook's speed yet. You can always
do a dual boot until you get used to Ubuntu. Personally, I have two
computers, sitting side by side, one with XP Pro and the other with Ubuntu.

Alias

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

It won't have IE at all. Good thing, too. It comes with Firefox

preinstalled and you can add Avant and/or Opera if you like.

There are companies that invested strongly in IE, like Hong KOng Jockey
Club's betting service.

Linux isn't up for gaming yet.

True, but Cedega and Wine might make a difference.

That's the only reason I keep XP. That,
and Outlook as Evolution isn't up to Outlook's speed yet. You can always
do a dual boot until you get used to Ubuntu. Personally, I have two
computers, sitting side by side, one with XP Pro and the other with Ubuntu.

I could play most 32-bit games under 64-bit Vi$ta. But my game list is
for old games. Haven't tried those new ones like COD4 and Crysis.

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 20:37:01 up 6:50 0 users load average: 1.00 1.00 1.00
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

Ubuntu should run fine on that machine.
BTW< I think we should make things work happily together, so as to allow
competition, rather than promoting a virtual monopoly.

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 20:43:01 up 6:56 0 users load average: 1.00 1.01 1.00
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Man-wai Chang ToDie]

Ubuntu should run fine on that machine.

BTW< I think we should make things work happily together, so as to allow
competition, rather than promoting a virtual monopoly.

Competition also creates jobs, which all living things want.

--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Xubuntu 7.04) Linux 2.6.24.1
^ ^ 20:49:01 up 7:02 0 users load average: 1.00 1.00 1.00
? ? (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa/

 

[Opinicus]

Yep, www.ubuntu.com/

Please Feed Our Adorable Dolphins.

(And also stop morphing.)

 

[NoStop]

Also, Linux is more forgiving about hardware glitches than Window$ in
general. Good or Bad? I don't know...

Actually the reverse is true.

Cheers.

--
Frank's Brain Activity Plotted (watch the red line):
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i4/Astronomy2/PreformanceMonitor.jpg

AlexB: "If it is Business or Ultimate open Command Prompt as administrator
and type lusrmgr.msc."
^^^^^
I must say the developers at Microsoft do have a sense of humour.

 

[NoStop]

OK and can it run specialist flying software like Jeppesen Flitestar? Or
sailing software like Nobeltech Navigator?

If I just wanted a computer to look at the internet and play itunes I
would have got a Mac years ago. But I need a computer to run other
software, not just office stuff.

Nobeltech will run in a W2K/XP vm using vmplayer.

Cheers.

--
Frank's Brain Activity Plotted (watch the red line):
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i4/Astronomy2/PreformanceMonitor.jpg

AlexB: "If it is Business or Ultimate open Command Prompt as administrator
and type lusrmgr.msc."
^^^^^
I must say the developers at Microsoft do have a sense of humour.