USB ISSUE

[its_my_dime]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8 under
a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[JasonA]

I also get this - seems as though USB 2 isn't working even on SP1 and SP2.

 

[R. McCarty]

Install the most recent Chipset driver package for your motherboard.
It will be an Intel, VIA, SiS, nVidia or ATI based chipset. You can
use a Hardware/Software inventory tool, such as Belarc Advisor to
obtain details about your hardware.

 

[Roberto]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

Without knowing the specs of your machine, it would appear you are
connecting the Ext HDD to a USB 1.0 /1.1 port, which runs at 16MB sec as
opposed to USB 2.0's 48MB sec [high speed port].
If this is correct, you could install a PCI USB2.0 card to take
advantage of the Ext HDD's faster transfer rate.

rgds
Roberto

 

[JasonA]

I have installed the drivers for my motherboard (including 2 things for
USB).

 

[its_my_dime]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

Without knowing the specs of your machine, it would appear you are
connecting the Ext HDD to a USB 1.0 /1.1 port, which runs at 16MB sec
as opposed to USB 2.0's 48MB sec [high speed port].
If this is correct, you could install a PCI USB2.0 card to take
advantage of the Ext HDD's faster transfer rate.

rgds
Roberto

This computer is supposed to have USB 2.

 

[Roberto]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high
speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

Without knowing the specs of your machine, it would appear you are
connecting the Ext HDD to a USB 1.0 /1.1 port, which runs at 16MB sec
as opposed to USB 2.0's 48MB sec [high speed port].
If this is correct, you could install a PCI USB2.0 card to take
advantage of the Ext HDD's faster transfer rate.

rgds
Roberto

This computer is supposed to have USB 2.

If that is true, have you tried R McCarthy's advice regarding updating
the chipset drivers ?.

FWIW it's a good idea to include relevant system specs when posting as
well as any error msgs recieved things you have tried - all help to
resolve problems quickly

rgds
Roberto

 

[its_my_dime]

message When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high
speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

Without knowing the specs of your machine, it would appear you are
connecting the Ext HDD to a USB 1.0 /1.1 port, which runs at 16MB
sec as opposed to USB 2.0's 48MB sec [high speed port].
If this is correct, you could install a PCI USB2.0 card to take
advantage of the Ext HDD's faster transfer rate.

rgds
Roberto

This computer is supposed to have USB 2.

If that is true, have you tried R McCarthy's advice regarding
updating the chipset drivers ?.

FWIW it's a good idea to include relevant system specs when posting
as well as any error msgs recieved things you have tried - all help
to resolve problems quickly

rgds
Roberto

Running XP with all service packs installed on a year old Gateway profile.
Chipset up to date. Same problem on all ports. Correct enhanced drivers
seem to be installed.. I get the same message with a card reader.

Somehow, the USB 2 doesn't seem to be kicking in. I don't know why. Nor do
I know how to measure the data transfer rate to see if it is working but the
message is wrong.

 

[its_my_dime]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

Let me be more specific. There is a root hub with 8 unused ports under the
Intel Enhanced USB 2 Device controller. These are the "high speed" ports,
as best as I can determine. How can I access them?

 

[Roberto]

Let me be more specific. There is a root hub with 8 unused ports under
the Intel Enhanced USB 2 Device controller. These are the "high speed"
ports, as best as I can determine. How can I access them?

Looks like you already have USB2.0, from your description , one other
though, are you using a shielded USB 2.0 cable to connect the Ext HDD
to the machine.

rgds
Roberto

 

[its_my_dime]

Looks like you already have USB2.0, from your description , one other
though, are you using a shielded USB 2.0 cable to connect the Ext
HDD to the machine.

rgds
Roberto

I'm using the cable that came with the device.

 

[Anna]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will

We'll assume your XP OS has SP2 installed. This problem was much more
prevalent pre-SP2, but it still does occur with SP2. So if you haven't
installed SP2, I would recommend you do so.

We'll also assume that your USB external HD is *directly* connected to a USB
2.0 port on your computer - that it's not connected via a hub. The system
sometimes has problems with USB devices (especially USBEHDs) that are
connected to the system via a hub.

Try booting the system with the USBEHD connected and powered up. Then try it
with the device connected and powered up *after* booting to a Desktop. See
if there's any difference.

Finally, if no go, get into Device Manager, expand the USB controllers
section and uninstall the Enhanced Host Controller (the USB 2.0 controller).
Reboot and see if the problem is resolved. Hopefully you won't have to
perform the same uninstall process for every USB controller listed.
Anna

 

[Roberto]

I'm using the cable that came with the device.

Ok you would expect it to be USB 2.0, is it shielded [braided metal
under the outer plastic covering]

Roberto

 

[its_my_dime]

I'm using the cable that came with the device.

Ok you would expect it to be USB 2.0, is it shielded [braided metal
under the outer plastic covering]

Roberto

Yes, absolutely.

 

[its_my_dime]

message When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will


We'll assume your XP OS has SP2 installed. This problem was much more
prevalent pre-SP2, but it still does occur with SP2. So if you haven't
installed SP2, I would recommend you do so.

We'll also assume that your USB external HD is *directly* connected to a
USB 2.0 port on your computer - that it's not connected via a hub. The
system sometimes has problems with USB devices (especially USBEHDs) that
are connected to the system via a hub.

Try booting the system with the USBEHD connected and powered up. Then try
it with the device connected and powered up *after* booting to a Desktop.
See if there's any difference.

Finally, if no go, get into Device Manager, expand the USB controllers
section and uninstall the Enhanced Host Controller (the USB 2.0
controller). Reboot and see if the problem is resolved. Hopefully you
won't have to perform the same uninstall process for every USB controller
listed.
Anna

SP 2 installed. The device is self powered from the USB port. No hub.
I'll try what you suggested and get back to you probably tomorrow morning.

Thanks.

 

[its_my_dime]

SP 2 installed. The device is self powered from the USB port. No hub.
I'll try what you suggested and get back to you probably tomorrow morning.

Thanks.

I tried everything you suggested. No luck. Everything comes back as it
was. Somehow, the computer is not recognizing that a USB 2 device is
plugged into one of the USB ports.

 

[Anna]

"its_my_dime" responds...

I tried everything you suggested. No luck. Everything comes back as it
was. Somehow, the computer is not recognizing that a USB 2 device is
plugged into one of the USB ports.

I'm assume that when you say "The device is self powered from the USB port",
you mean the USBEHD comes with its own power supply, i.e., it's not being
powered by the computer's PS.

And you've uninstalled every USB controller listed in DM and then rebooted?

And of course you've tried connecting the USBEHD to all the USB ports on
your computer and you know these are USB 2.0 capable, right?

Do you have any other USB 2.0 devices (flash, jump, memory, thumb, etc.
drives) that you can try to determine if you're getting that same message?

It's possible you're getting a false message from Windows, i.e., your USBEHD
is actually working at USB 2.0 speed but for some reason the system
generates that false message. We've seen this before. (I recall there was
some way to disable that message but I can't recall how. An option on the
message itself?) If it is operating at USB 2.0 speeds you should be getting
data transfer rates at around 400 - 450 MB/min. USB 1.1 will be
considerably slower. Do you have a disk imaging program that you can use to
clone the contents of your internal HD to the external one? You could easily
determine the data transfer rate that way.
Anna

 

[its_my_dime]

"its_my_dime" responds...



I'm assume that when you say "The device is self powered from the USB
port", you mean the USBEHD comes with its own power supply, i.e., it's not
being powered by the computer's PS.

And you've uninstalled every USB controller listed in DM and then
rebooted?

And of course you've tried connecting the USBEHD to all the USB ports on
your computer and you know these are USB 2.0 capable, right?

Do you have any other USB 2.0 devices (flash, jump, memory, thumb, etc.
drives) that you can try to determine if you're getting that same message?

It's possible you're getting a false message from Windows, i.e., your
USBEHD is actually working at USB 2.0 speed but for some reason the system
generates that false message. We've seen this before. (I recall there was
some way to disable that message but I can't recall how. An option on the
message itself?) If it is operating at USB 2.0 speeds you should be
getting data transfer rates at around 400 - 450 MB/min. USB 1.1 will be
considerably slower. Do you have a disk imaging program that you can use
to clone the contents of your internal HD to the external one? You could
easily determine the data transfer rate that way.
Anna

Thanks. Re: power supply. The harddrive gets its power from the usb port.
I get the same message from a card reader. Microsoft has posted a way to
disable the message. I don't want to do that if the message is correct. I
have not found it possible to disconnect all USB drivers because I lose the
USB mouse which seems to be related to two drivers so the last one stays.

Need more help in figuring data transfer rate so that I know how fast the
USB port is actually working.

.....

 

[NoStop]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

Is this a 2.5" or 3.5" external hard drive?

 

[its_my_dime]

When I connect a new USB hard disk, a window pops up that says it will
perform faster with a USB high speed 2.0 port and gives me a list of 8
under a hub.

But I have absolutely no idea how to access these ports.

I seem to have the enhanced drive installed but don't understand the
mechanism for getting to a specific USB connection to make it high speed.

Help would very much be appreciated.

Thank you.

OK. I've been on the phone with Gateway (I strongly believe in paying extra
up front for fast telephone service) and, combining what they have said
with comments on this board (special thanks to Anna), and some
trial-and-error, we came up with the following that seems to work.

1)Download or otherwise locate the chipset for your computer. Click on it
to the point where it winds up in c:\cabs or some other file ready for
installation.

2) Disconnect all USB attachments (zip, card readers, printer, etc).

3) Remove everything under device manager - USB controllers. That means
EVERYTHING including the USB mouse. They said you can work only with a
keyboard. Fortunately, I found an old serial mouse. I also found that if
you disable everything before removing anything, the item doesn't come back.

4) If you did it right, the entire USB entry will disappear.

5) Then, using the Microsoft key, go to start-run and run your chipset
install.

6) Reboot.

7) Reconnect everything.

8) If you still have a problem with USB 2, try uninstalling just the
enhanced driver and let it come back.

9) If you still have problems, delete everything as above but DO NOT redo
the chipset thing.

Thanks for everyone's help.