Can't install ANY hardware

[Godslayer333]

I used to think i was pretty knowageable about computers, but once i switched
to vista, i haven't been able to figure out anything! I can't install my Usb
hub, or my printer, or my logitech bluetooth reciever, even after downloading
the new vista installations and drivers for them and everything. For what
used to be cake on XP, was now something difficult and a pain. Even after
getting all the correct drivers and software, vista still claims to not have
them... I don't know what to do, it jus seems like Vista is somehow
preventing me from installing any hardware device at all. I'm at a total loss.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Please give specifics about your hardware.

Did Vista come preinstalled or did you install a retail copy? If a retail
copy did you upgrade from a previous OS?

 

[Godslayer333]

I have a Gateway GM5474 that came pre installed with vista. I've been trying
to install a Logitech MX5000 Blutooth USb reciever, a Lexmark X7170 printer,
and a USB hub/PCI USB 2.0 card combo from radioshack with no make or model
number to be found.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

And what has Gateway Support told you when you asked them for help with
this?

 

[Godslayer333]

Well, i never asked gateway, i didn't think it was the computers' problem, i
thoguht it was some kind of problem with windows vista

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Even if it is Vista, since Vista came preinstalled by Gateway they are your
support team.

 

[Godslayer333]

Even if i didn't get the computer through gateway? i got it refurbished off
of tiger direct. I guess it doesn't matter anyway. I hate using basic
customer support, they ask you even stupid question they can till they get to
the heart of the problem. "Is your computer plugged in?" "do you have the
right drivers installed?"
sigh... anyway, if thats what you think i should do....i guess i'll give it
a try. Thanks for your help. I was just hoping there was a much easier way.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Even if i didn't get the computer through gateway? i got it refurbished
off
of tiger direct. I guess it doesn't matter anyway. I hate using basic
customer support, they ask you even stupid question they can till they get
to
the heart of the problem. "Is your computer plugged in?" "do you have the
right drivers installed?"
sigh... anyway, if thats what you think i should do....i guess i'll give
it
a try. Thanks for your help. I was just hoping there was a much easier
way.

Did Tiger Direct give you any indication as to why the computer was
refurbished? Was it a return because the original buyer didn't like it, or
was it because it had faults which Tiger Direct claim to have repaired?

Your problems seem to be all USB related. You could try going into Control
Panel > System > Device Manager and removing the USB entries from the
configuration.

Next, reboot the computer and let Windows re-install drivers it thinks work
ok.

Now try connecting USB devices. If nothing works still, come back and tell
us what error messages appeared, if any..

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Check the BIOS to see if Legacy USB is enabled.

Even if i didn't get the computer through gateway? i got it refurbished
off
of tiger direct. I guess it doesn't matter anyway. I hate using basic
customer support, they ask you even stupid question they can till they get
to
the heart of the problem. "Is your computer plugged in?" "do you have the
right drivers installed?"
sigh... anyway, if thats what you think i should do....i guess i'll give
it
a try. Thanks for your help. I was just hoping there was a much easier
way.

 

[Godslayer333]

I don't think it's a USB issue, i have about 2 dozen usb devices that still
work just fine.

 

[Godslayer333]

It was completely factory refurbished, and since all my other usb devices
work just fine, i don't think thats the problem.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Maybe the ones that don't work are legacy devices. What can it hurt to
check?

 

[Godslayer333]

okay... so let's say i don't know how to check that...what would you tell me?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You enable legacy usb in the BIOS. On my machine I press the Del key as
soon as the manufacturer's splash screen appears right in the very beginning
of startup.

Also, Vista SP1 will include a fairly long list of fixes to the usb
functionality in Vista. See:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=941600
Many of these fixes have only been available through MS Product Support
Services and have not been offered by Windows Update. It might pay to try
the rollup (near the bottom of the KB article).

 

[Godslayer333]

I do know how to access the bios, (I press F2 on the splash screen) but i've
checked every single setting in every catagory, i don't see anything that
mentions legacy or usb. I don't know, i'm gonna check out that link you sent
me right now.