USB devices not recognised/ unknown

[Guest]

XPpro sp2 user on automatic windows update

In the last couple of weeks my two usb devices Sony memory stick and Freecom
xl external drive are not being recognised. I emphasise that uptil then I
had no problems with either

In device manager I have (witn no yellow exclamation marks)
3 SIS host controlers
unknown device
USB root hub 2.0
and 2x USB root hub

I know the USB ports (I have 6) are ok as I can get my DSL broadband link
working on any of them (but this has its own driver).

I know the devices are working OK as I have tested them on several machines.

I have tried uninstalling the USB roothubs and Controler (in safe mode) and
allowed Windows to reinstall them again.

I have also tried System restore (&in safe mode) but although I have lots of
restore points, the recovery does not work and no files are copied. I can go
back 3 or 4 days which is when I started to look at the problem but that does
not cure my device problem.

All I know that has happened in last month is a couple of windows updates;
and a java upgrade (I think).

1) does anyone have any ideas
2) should I try to undo/remove the Java
3) should I unistall sp2 and reinstall

I did see a suggestion elsewhere that I should install the .NET Framework
Version 2.0 (x86) from windows downloads but that did not help either (shame!)

To my mind if the ports are ok and the devices are ok then it has to be a
driver problem, but neither device need a driver with XP, so what do I do?

Any advice gratefully received

Jesper

 

[Guest]

Jeper,
I have a similar problem in that my usb storgae device is recognised by the
system, BUT recognised as a disk drive and will not work as it promts for a
disk to be inserted..like U I have recently updated my system with all the
latest MS upgades !!! .. hope some one can help !
Rgds
Don

 

[Guest]

Hi there

Thanks for your response

My problem has happened only in the last couple of weeks; I have a memory
stick and external USB drive that no longer work, although ..........

...........if I disable the USB 2.0 settings within the bios, it works ok on
USB 1.1, then reverts to unknown device when I change the bios back. I
wonder does this give a clue as to what is wrong???

My PC is Mesh Elite (uk); XPhome SP2 fully up to date with ASUS P45S 533-MX
Bios revision 1006 (11/06/2003) ~ which I assume means 6 Nov rather than 11
June!

I spent a couple of hours with Microsoft today after downloading the hotfix
referred to in the KB article 892050 ~ which has not worked. You might like
to try that.

They have since gone through with me re-setting all my USB inf files to
original status and still nothing, and no problems in device manager just my
two unknown devices, which work fine in other PC’s and my USB slots work fine
for my DSL broadband connection which has its own driver.

Microsoft have not closed the case, but have referred me to my manufacturer
so they can check the USB ports are correctly enabled in the BIOS, but I
don’t have too much hope with that.

I have not yet flashed my bios (bearing in mind I am no expert) but have
noted there is a version about 1 more year up to date; I expect I shall go
back to Microsoft tomorrow but they think they have done everything.

The only thing I think I have done since these devices last worked is
updated windows, and also java. I was wondering if I uninstalled them but
would ask MS first. Unfortunately my restore points do not work.

Anyway be pleased to hear of anyone that has any success in this area or any
'expert advice' always gratefully received.

Jesper

 

[Guest]

I realise i may not have had a great deal of response but I suspect that many
are in a similar situation so I thought i would up-date you.

I have spent a lot of time with Microsoft; there is a hotfix relating to
this problem KB article 892050 which you have to request by contact MS. In
the event it did no good but it got me into contact with them by phone.

In fact they have been as helpful as they could be but still no joy.

1) they helped me recreate & install all the original USB files, we deleted
all the bits in the registry and unistalled in device manager all the usb
controllers and hubs

2) next they had me contact my manufactuter(mesh) to check my bios settings

during this process I established that my usb devices would work ok if i
disabled my USB 2.0 in the bios, but this means they only work at 1.1 speed.

we checked to see if there was an update in the bios that covered USB
devices ~ there wasn't.

3) next step was to uninstall SP2, to do a non destructive XP recovery,
which does not delete your programs or data files and to then re-install SP2;
the updates are still going on ~ it has been an arduous process

4) Still no joy so the next recommendation from microsoft is to take my pc
to a Computer shop to flush the ports and to 'play with bios settings/
drivers for the usb hubs'

I may or may not do this; I can't afford to be without my pc for very long;
Its a question of whether I can do my back-ups at USB 1.1 speed for very
long.

If anyone knows how I can flush the ports without need of a technician,
please let me know.

Ok well thanks

Jesper

 

[jdj]

I was having this problem also, USB 1.1 devices working but USB 2.0
did not, and found elsewhere on the Web to try turning off power and
disconnecting the power cord and all USB devices and wait for several
minutes.

When I reconnected and restarted my computer my USB 2.0 devices worked
again .

John

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that thought ~ I'm glad it worked in your case.

I was on the phone to the MS people for hours and they were very thorough
and covered off things like that; However in the end they said they had done
everything they could and passed the buck to the motherboard opertor/ bios
system etc.

That didn't help either, but I was very pleased in the end to buy a PCI card
with USB 2 connections for under a tenner which gave me an extra 4 ports at
the rear and I was able to hardwire to my two usb ports at the front.

I wish someone had suggested this in the 1st place as I had probably spent
in excess of 12 hours on the problem and for a £10 outlay, I solved the
problem almost intantly.

Still I hope this helps anyone else with the problem

Jesper