Answers
Sep 20, 2006 - 03:40 PM
Honestly, I think you have a hardware problem. Probably lack of power / low voltage on the USB outlets.
Does your printer, which works well, have it's own power source? And what about the other devices?
Since the USB ports in many cases also provides power for the connected devices, this problem is likely to occur, if they are not powerful enough.
The quality / length of the cables also matter here. A long or low quality cable will consume more power, thus leaving less for the connected device. I have an extension USB cable to make it easier for me to reach and plug things in - BUT it is also much more unreliable, in about the same way, you describe.
I don't think I can make your USB ports work, but perhaps you just have to change your power supply?
Does your printer, which works well, have it's own power source? And what about the other devices?
Since the USB ports in many cases also provides power for the connected devices, this problem is likely to occur, if they are not powerful enough.
The quality / length of the cables also matter here. A long or low quality cable will consume more power, thus leaving less for the connected device. I have an extension USB cable to make it easier for me to reach and plug things in - BUT it is also much more unreliable, in about the same way, you describe.
I don't think I can make your USB ports work, but perhaps you just have to change your power supply?
Sep 20, 2006 - 07:05 PM
Hi jgivioni, thank you for your reply!
If I think about the devices I can say:
Digital camera - own power supply - has problems
card reader - no power supply - has problems
Pockect PC -In cradle - I guess is using power from cradle - has problems
wireless USB plug in - no power supply - has problems
web cam - no power supply - has problems
printer - own power supply - no problems at all!
What I also tried is to unplug all USB devices and then try only one device. No change!
With power supply you mean the main power supply for the PC?
Cheers
Peter
If I think about the devices I can say:
Digital camera - own power supply - has problems
card reader - no power supply - has problems
Pockect PC -In cradle - I guess is using power from cradle - has problems
wireless USB plug in - no power supply - has problems
web cam - no power supply - has problems
printer - own power supply - no problems at all!
What I also tried is to unplug all USB devices and then try only one device. No change!
With power supply you mean the main power supply for the PC?
Cheers
Peter
Oct 04, 2006 - 05:57 AM
I have to agree it sounds like a power problem, having seen a similar problem myself.
What hardware do you actually have in your computer? number of HDD's, CD/DVD drives, fans, flashing lights etc etc
Although it may seem like some items have their own power, they may still draw power from the USB port.
One thing to try is to disconnect as much as you can manage without from the power inside your computer (so if you have extra fans (Dont unplug your CPU fan), extra CD/DVD drives etc disconnect them) Also disconnect any of the USB ports that you can), basically try to reduce the amount of power your computer is using and see if that solves the problem.
Is this a brand name computer, or is it custom built by someone (or even you)?
What hardware do you actually have in your computer? number of HDD's, CD/DVD drives, fans, flashing lights etc etc
Although it may seem like some items have their own power, they may still draw power from the USB port.
One thing to try is to disconnect as much as you can manage without from the power inside your computer (so if you have extra fans (Dont unplug your CPU fan), extra CD/DVD drives etc disconnect them) Also disconnect any of the USB ports that you can), basically try to reduce the amount of power your computer is using and see if that solves the problem.
Is this a brand name computer, or is it custom built by someone (or even you)?
Oct 08, 2006 - 08:27 PM
Peter,
> With power supply you mean the main power supply for the PC?
Yes, that one. I am no expert in hardware, so I don't wanna mislead you though. But I remember a while back it suddenly became important to look at the WATTS for the main power supply when you buy a new computer - which I had never considered before. It used to be the GHz and GB that mattered :-)
Jakob
> With power supply you mean the main power supply for the PC?
Yes, that one. I am no expert in hardware, so I don't wanna mislead you though. But I remember a while back it suddenly became important to look at the WATTS for the main power supply when you buy a new computer - which I had never considered before. It used to be the GHz and GB that mattered :-)
Jakob
Jan 19, 2007 - 11:28 AM
Power supplies have become increasingly important. It used to be that you could get by with a 200W supply, but that's no longer the case. Spend $30 and get a minimum 350 W supply; they're easy to install. As with disk space and RAM, more is better. Check also the capabilities of the motherboard, as some can't handle more than two USB ports. Solid mb and power, you should be good to go. I built this system around 8 months ago, starting with an ASUS motherboard and a honkin' power supply. It handles 1/2 terrabyte of hd storage in both SATA and EIDE formats with 6 USB2 ports, a dvd burner, 2 cd burners, and a mutimedia card interface with no problems.
Jan 20, 2007 - 01:41 AM
You might also try updating the drivers. Go to "device manager" on the USB host controller and choose "update driver" try letting it search the internet or go directly to the PC manufacturers site, Intel site or MS site and look for an updated driver. You can also check for new drivers for the equipment you're connecting. It's likely that only the printer installed it's own driver while the other devices used generic drivers provided by Windows.
Jun 26, 2007 - 12:39 PM
Sorry, forgot completely about it! SInce I do not have the time and don't want to spend the money on an "old" PC I will close the question. Thank you for your answers! I will keep the things inmind you have said when I buy another PC next time
Cheers
Peter
Cheers
Peter
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