USB stopped recognizing my devices

  • Thread starter Thread starter Yaron
  • Start date Start date
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Yaron

Hello,
My computer - a Sony VAIO desktop from 2003, wiht WinXP SP2 - started
behaving weirdly lately.

It basically began to not recognizing most of my USB devices. It recognized
my HP Photosmart printer; other than that, it mostly didn't recognize my
devices (some USB memory keys, a Maxtor external HD, and an Epson scanner).

So I opened up the Device Manager and started playing around.

FYI, I have 6 USB ports: 2 in front, 4 in the back.

In the Device Manager, I see:
- 3 instances of SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller.
- 1 instance of SiS (7002) PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller.

I discovered, by disabling/enabling these devices, that:
- Each of the SiS 7001 devices controls a pair of USB ports.
- The SiS 7002 device enables USB 2.0 operation.

I also discovered that, as long as I keep the SiS 7002 disabled, the front
pair of USB ports works OK, and the two back pairs don't work at all. If I
enable the SiS 7002, then all the ports are operational, but they don't
recognize my storage devices. (Presumably the front ports are 1.0 and the
back ports are 2.0.)

Another little quirk: I have two identical SanDisk Cruzer Micro 1.0GB memory
keys. When I have the 7002 disabled, so that my front ports are usable, one
Cruzer is recognized and one isn't. And I know it's not a defect in the
Cruzer, b/c my laptop recognizes both with no problem.

I've tried "uninstalling" the drivers, and letting Windows re-install them.
This didn't help.

There is no IRQ conflict - I checked.

Advice?

Thanks!
Yaron
 
Dear Yaron,

In Device Manager, try actually uninstalling the USB root hubs - yes!
All of them. Don't worry, XP will re-install then on re-boot. Make
sure ALL USB devices are unplugged when you finally reboot. This will
freshen up the the USB driver chain structure that the kernel uses.

Reboot again after XP has finished "finding" the USB root hubs and
then start introducing (plugging back in) your USB devices one at a
time. But, before that - see if you can uninstall all photosmart
drivers - then check HP for more recent ones on their site. Install
that printer first! (Do the software - then plug in the printer).

SiS USB chips had USB problems several years ago in some motherboards.
If you have one of those the the only way out is to buy a PCI USB
card! (I know I did for an ASUS mobo - 5 years ago)!!

The VAIO should be ok tho.

Hope that helps.
CreateWindow
http://mymessagetaker.com
The while-you-were-out message program you have been looking for!
 
Yaron said:
Hello,
My computer - a Sony VAIO desktop from 2003, wiht WinXP SP2 - started
behaving weirdly lately.

It basically began to not recognizing most of my USB devices. It
recognized
my HP Photosmart printer; other than that, it mostly didn't recognize my
devices (some USB memory keys, a Maxtor external HD, and an Epson
scanner).

So I opened up the Device Manager and started playing around.

FYI, I have 6 USB ports: 2 in front, 4 in the back.

In the Device Manager, I see:
- 3 instances of SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller.
- 1 instance of SiS (7002) PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller.

I discovered, by disabling/enabling these devices, that:
- Each of the SiS 7001 devices controls a pair of USB ports.
- The SiS 7002 device enables USB 2.0 operation.
Click to expand...

You have got right so far.
I also discovered that, as long as I keep the SiS 7002 disabled, the front
pair of USB ports works OK, and the two back pairs don't work at all. If
I
enable the SiS 7002, then all the ports are operational, but they don't
recognize my storage devices. (Presumably the front ports are 1.0 and the
back ports are 2.0.)
Click to expand...

No, all ports are USB2 and all support all three speed of operation (480, 12
and 1.5 Mbps).
Another little quirk: I have two identical SanDisk Cruzer Micro 1.0GB
memory
keys. When I have the 7002 disabled, so that my front ports are usable,
one
Cruzer is recognized and one isn't. And I know it's not a defect in the
Cruzer, b/c my laptop recognizes both with no problem.

I've tried "uninstalling" the drivers, and letting Windows re-install
them.
This didn't help.

There is no IRQ conflict - I checked.
Click to expand...

It is possible that the devices that don't work are 'installed' but flagged
as disabled or have other issues. The fact that one memory key works and
the other doesn't is a clue here (they are treated as diffeent devices
because they have different serial numbers).

Try this.

Open a command window and enter (without the quotes).

"set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1"

and then

"start devmgmt.msc"

This opens the device manager but with a twist. From the 'View' menu select
"Show hidden devices". Device manager will now show you every device that
has ever been connected whether it is present or not (non present devices
are greyed). Now you should be able to find all your devices that don't
work and delete them (it doesn't matter if you inadvertently delete a
working device. This will allow Windows to redetect them when you connect
them and reinstall them.
 
Thanks for the advice.

I've already uninstalled all the USB drivers and rebooted. I haven't tried
rebooting twice. And I haven't tried uninstalling the Photosmart drivers.
I'll try that.
SiS USB chips had USB problems several years ago in some motherboards.
If you have one of those the the only way out is to buy a PCI USB
card! (I know I did for an ASUS mobo - 5 years ago)!!
Click to expand...

Well my computer is less than 5 years old, and worked until last week or so,
so I'm guessing that that's not the issue.

Thanks,
Yaron
 
OK - none of the suggestions helped.
I set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices to 1, and uninstalled all non-present
devices and all USB devices. I uninstalled the HP Photosmart software. I
kept rebooting until Windows didn't stopped showing the little sign next to
the "Turn Off" icon that shows that there's something to install on a reboot,
and then again. Nothing's changed.

What next?

Thanks,
Yaron
 
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