USB drive does not work on new XP SP2 computer

[Frank]

The computer is a Dell Dimension 3100 with XP SP2. I booted the
computer brand new and installed a Lexmark USB all-in-one printer and
an HP USB color Laser. I also installed a USB floppy drive and the
keyboard and mouse are both USB. I tried to install a PNY USB drive,
and it wouldn't install. I then tried another USB flash drive that I
use daily; the name's long since been rubbed of it, so I don't know the
brand. Both USB drives work fine in other computers including other XP
SP2 machines, and other USB devices work in the ports that failed with
the drives. The computer came with McAfee, but I tried it with the
AntiVirus disabled -- no go.

I don't know where to go from here, and any suggestions would be
appreciated.

 

[R. McCarty]

You might check your USB Root Hubs for Power consumption.

My SanDisk Mini Cruzer 256 Meg consumes 200+ mA of current.
Most hubs max out at 500 mA. Because all USB2 devices route to
a single Root Hub that may limit your devices. Open Device Mgr.
expand the Universal Serial Bus Controller category. Double Click
each Hub, Power (TAB) and check the Power Required column.
**Usually, the Root Hub associated with the USB2 controller will
be the last one in the listing.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Try a powered hub, you may have exceeded the power limitations of the
system's ports.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Rock]

The computer is a Dell Dimension 3100 with XP SP2. I booted the
computer brand new and installed a Lexmark USB all-in-one printer and
an HP USB color Laser. I also installed a USB floppy drive and the
keyboard and mouse are both USB. I tried to install a PNY USB drive,
and it wouldn't install. I then tried another USB flash drive that I
use daily; the name's long since been rubbed of it, so I don't know the
brand. Both USB drives work fine in other computers including other XP
SP2 machines, and other USB devices work in the ports that failed with
the drives. The computer came with McAfee, but I tried it with the
AntiVirus disabled -- no go.

I don't know where to go from here, and any suggestions would be
appreciated.

General USB troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310575

 

[Plato]

You might check your USB Root Hubs for Power consumption.

My first thought also. Yes the all-in-one and the laser also plug into a
120v but still, I'd guess that they are bound to use a hefty amount of
usb power.

 

[Frank]

I appreciate the replies. I failed to mention that I did try the
drives with both printers and the floppy drive unplugged. Even the
keyboard and mouse are USB on this computer.

I also realized late last night that the first thing I'd done was
remove Quick Books, Word Perfect, AOL, NetZero, and Earthlink from it.
My inclination right now is to install XP SP2 from scratch without all
the other extraneous @#$% that Dell packs onto it and try again.

thx