PC hardware: USB Trouble
USB Trouble
by StargateFan - 10/8/08 6:49 PMHi everyone, I have question that I can not seem to find a technical explanation for. My personal desktop computer used to have Windows Vista as the primary OS. And my actual PC (which I built) has USB ports on both the back of the chassis and the front of the chassis for easy access.
While Vista was on the machine I had a external 80GB drive connected via a front USB port, to make a long story short during a standard file transfer Vista crashed(pre-SP1). Since that point on the drive has never been recognized by Windows when attached to the any of the two front USB ports. However Windows does recognize and mount the drive when it is connected to the any of the rear ports.
I have now reverted back to XP and obviously have reinstalled all the drivers. But the problem still exists, any ideas? Also as a side note every other USB device I have will work through those front USB ports. I just can't explain it.
(NT) Does that external drive draw power from that port?
by R. Proffitt
- 10/9/08 5:54 AM
In reply to: USB Trouble by StargateFan
(NT) Yes it does
by StargateFan - 10/12/08 11:57 AM In reply to: (NT) Does that external drive draw power from that port? by R. Proffitt
Try it with the wall power unit.
by R. Proffitt - 10/12/08 1:31 PM
In reply to: (NT) Yes it does by StargateFan
The reason is that pulling power from the USB ports can be finicky since it's at or over what your usual USB port can supply. If I wasn't clear, these are unreliable. Nice when they work but can cause tech support calls.
If thats the case
by StargateFan - 10/13/08 7:17 AM In reply to: Try it with the wall power unit. by R. Proffitt
Then why would the device work when attached to the rear ports? And why would it power up when attached to the front ports? The device works perfectly when attached to the towers rear USB ports, it powers up, Windows recognizes it, and mounts the volume. When I plug it into the front ports it powers up, it just doesn't seem like any data is being transferred.
Simple.
by R. Proffitt - 10/13/08 8:52 AM
In reply to: If thats the case by StargateFan
Look at what's different. Front ports use wires which leads to a small but critical power drop. The rear ports don't have that issue.
Bob
I understand what you are saying
by StargateFan - 10/13/08 10:13 AM In reply to: Simple. by R. Proffitt
But I also have a Microsoft Zune which I connect via the front USB ports. The Zune also draws power over the USB, but doesn't seem to be affected like the drive. If what you are saying is true then the only explanation for why the Zune works and not the drive is that Zune draws less power. Correct?
Oh Wait A Minute
by StargateFan - 10/13/08 10:35 AM In reply to: Simple. by R. Proffitt
I tired to do something extensive with the Zune and when I did the Zune disconnected itself from the PC. I plugged it into the rear port and it works fine. Do you think I somehow shorted the front USB circuits on the Motherboard?
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
