Problems with my usb ports. Can anyone help?

Question

My desktop pc is being a right pain. I bought it second hand last year and never had any problems to start with. I have 4 (1.1) usb ports (2 at the back & 2 at the front). My bf bought me a 5 port usb 2.0 PCI card and installed it ok but it only seems to work with my 2gb pen drive and will not recognise anything else. In december last year i bought a 7 port powered usb hub as 1 port at the back stopped working and so did 1 at the front hence i needed the hub. About a month ago my hub started to disconnect itself without warning which drove me mad as it left me with no mouse or keyboard until i unplugged it and plugged it back in again. I tried plugging the hub into the new PCI ports and got nothing (the hub is usb 2.0 compatible). The maker replaced the hub as it was under guarantee so i plugged it in but within 24 hours the 4 front ports on the hub stopped working but the 3 back ones are fine.

My pc is running windows xp pro with service pack 3

Answer 1

You may not have the right drivers, try searching on the web.

Also check the root hub's properties in Control Panel Device Manager. It is propably set to 'allow the computer to turn off this device to save power'.

Answer 2

Sounds like a hardware fault - it it's an old PC then dry solder joints might be the problem.

Switch the power off and unplug the PC from the wall, pop the cover off the PC and check the leads from the USB ports to the headers on the motherboard.

Answer 3

It sounds as though the PCI card has never had the correct drivers installed.

Check the properties for the root hub. It is propably set to "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

Answer 4

The best choice always has been to use a PCI usb controler to upgrade to new tecnologies, they work in hardware+ they came with a CD with drivers, then you go about and disconect all stuff in the motherboard and disable and your bios, the same work if you have IDE/ATA devices and you want to upgrade to the new Sata, you get a sata PCI controler.

But you can get upgrades to your motherboard drivers including Bios,and devices either from your name PC brand or motherboard company.