How to test a USB port in Windows 2000 ?

[wylbur37]

A friend who has an old desktop computer running Windows 2000 recently
got a new printer that she needed assistance with installing. After we
ran the setup procedure and plugged in the USB cable from the printer,
the computer apparently didn't recognize the presence of the USB
cable. Furthermore, when I tried plugging a flash drive into the USB
port, it wasn't recognized either. I asked her whether she has ever
used the USB ports, and she said "No". (The computer had been given to
her by someone else, so we don't know whether anyone had ever
successfully used the USB ports before).

Could this mean that the USB port isn't working at all, or does it
just mean that there are special drivers required to interface with
the USB port? I always thought that Windows 2000 already had the
ability to recognize when a printer is plugged into the USB port. (It
might not recognize the exact make and model of printer, but it should
at least recognize that something has just been plugged into there.
Correct?)

How would I find out about the status of the USB port? Is there a
built-in function in Windows 2000 that would indicate that? or is
there a utility program that can be run to diagnose whether the USB
port is working?

....

 

[Demmpa]

A friend who has an old desktop computer running Windows 2000 recently
got a new printer that she needed assistance with installing. After we
ran the setup procedure and plugged in the USB cable from the printer,
the computer apparently didn't recognize the presence of the USB
cable. Furthermore, when I tried plugging a flash drive into the USB
port, it wasn't recognized either. I asked her whether she has ever
used the USB ports, and she said "No". (The computer had been given to
her by someone else, so we don't know whether anyone had ever
successfully used the USB ports before).

Could this mean that the USB port isn't working at all, or does it
just mean that there are special drivers required to interface with
the USB port? I always thought that Windows 2000 already had the
ability to recognize when a printer is plugged into the USB port. (It
might not recognize the exact make and model of printer, but it should
at least recognize that something has just been plugged into there.
Correct?)

How would I find out about the status of the USB port? Is there a
built-in function in Windows 2000 that would indicate that? or is
there a utility program that can be run to diagnose whether the USB
port is working?

...

I think USB is deaktivated in BIOS,
go into BIOS and enabla USB.

 

[Enkidu]

How would I find out about the status of the USB port?
Is there a built-in function in Windows 2000 that
would indicate that? or is there a utility program
that can be run to diagnose whether the USB port is
working?

First see if the device is present in Device Manager - you
should see a USB Hub or something. Then see if USB is
enabled in the BIOS as Demmpa said. Finally, open the case,
if you can and see if the USB sockets are actually connected
to the MB!

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Dodo2u]

A friend who has an old desktop computer running Windows 2000 recently
got a new printer that she needed assistance with installing. After we
ran the setup procedure and plugged in the USB cable from the printer,
the computer apparently didn't recognize the presence of the USB
cable. Furthermore, when I tried plugging a flash drive into the USB
port, it wasn't recognized either. I asked her whether she has ever
used the USB ports, and she said "No". (The computer had been given to
her by someone else, so we don't know whether anyone had ever
successfully used the USB ports before).

Could this mean that the USB port isn't working at all, or does it
just mean that there are special drivers required to interface with
the USB port? I always thought that Windows 2000 already had the
ability to recognize when a printer is plugged into the USB port. (It
might not recognize the exact make and model of printer, but it should
at least recognize that something has just been plugged into there.
Correct?)

How would I find out about the status of the USB port? Is there a
built-in function in Windows 2000 that would indicate that? or is
there a utility program that can be run to diagnose whether the USB
port is working?

Sometimes you have to install the software (drivers) supplied with the
motherboard before all functionality is available.

Have you checked to see if USB is mentioned anywhere in the BIOS at all?
If so, has it been enabled?
If not, try to find/obtain the MB disk and do the additional installation
(s).

Do so before you attach any USB devices!!
Do not attach any USB devices before you have installed the software for
such USB devices!!

 

[The Real Bev]

A friend who has an old desktop computer running Windows 2000 recently
got a new printer that she needed assistance with installing. After we
ran the setup procedure and plugged in the USB cable from the printer,
the computer apparently didn't recognize the presence of the USB
cable. Furthermore, when I tried plugging a flash drive into the USB
port, it wasn't recognized either. I asked her whether she has ever
used the USB ports, and she said "No". (The computer had been given to
her by someone else, so we don't know whether anyone had ever
successfully used the USB ports before).

Is the machine old enough to have USB 1 instead of USB 2? Some cheesy
USB2 devices won't be recognized at all by USB1, cheesy 640x480 cameras
specifically.

A USB2 5-port card is ~$14 including shipping at shop4tech. I know. I
just had to buy one.

--
Cheers,
Bev
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Even Islamic terrorists don't hate America like liberals do.
They don't have the energy. If they had that much energy,
they'd have indoor plumbing by now." -- Ann Coulter