USB2.0 HDD malfunction?

hawkinsa21 · #1 03-09-09, 05:43 PM

Hey all,

my USB harddisk Maxtor 3200 has suddenly started malfunctioning in Windows 7. It isn't recognised (and says so) in any of the USB2.0 ports. It does however work in my keyboard USB1.1 slot!

I have updated chipset drivers, updated Windows, reset CMOS, loaded optimized defaults etc etc.. but no joy.

I have plugged it into my laptops USB2.0 slots and they work fine. I then ran Seagates diag proggy on it and it returned with no errors. Seems to be my PC, although USB2.0 wireless dongle works fine. I have dual boot Win 7 and Vista, and Vista has the same problems so I'm thinking this is more than just the OS. But why would it work in USB1.1 and not USB2.0? I have like 10 or so USB2.0 ports on various parts of the PC, both attached on the mobo and seperate powered hubs e.g. my Dell monitor.

Any suggestions? I'm a bit stumped. I could try a windows restore if anyone thinks its worthwhile. . . thought I'd ask you lot first

Cheers

Alex

Rastalovich · #2 03-09-09, 07:21 PM

Often this can be down to windows incorrectly identifying the device the first time it's put in. Although moving it to another port generally fixes it.

My immediate concern would be that u test those usb ports with another device like a flash drive just to make sure they're working ok and haven't been popped by the hdd.

Kinda had a hit and miss experience with powered hubs actually powering devices adequately.

With a HP oem pc tho, I have blown the whole USB power rail using a freecom usb HDD (using just the usb port as the power) - the harddrive had screwed up and drew too much power causing the rail to overload. From that point onwards the usb ports didn't identify anything properly. (new mobo was the answer)

.. hence the suggestion to check those usb ports work ok with other flash drives etc.

tinytomlogan · #3 03-09-09, 11:18 PM

Is it not showing up in device manager OR Disk manager?

hawkinsa21 · #4 05-09-09, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'

Often this can be down to windows incorrectly identifying the device the first time it's put in. Although moving it to another port generally fixes it.

My immediate concern would be that u test those usb ports with another device like a flash drive just to make sure they're working ok and haven't been popped by the hdd.

Kinda had a hit and miss experience with powered hubs actually powering devices adequately.

With a HP oem pc tho, I have blown the whole USB power rail using a freecom usb HDD (using just the usb port as the power) - the harddrive had screwed up and drew too much power causing the rail to overload. From that point onwards the usb ports didn't identify anything properly. (new mobo was the answer)

.. hence the suggestion to check those usb ports work ok with other flash drives etc.

Thanks Rast, I've just checked other USB2.0 devices and NONE work...

These are ones on the mobo, an attached hub AND via the screen which has three USB inputs. I have seen a suggestion to another post elsewhere about blown ports on the mobo and that was to buy a seperate PCI USB hub, which I already have and is also affected.. so it that the mobo? If a PCI USB hub should work then it sounds more OS related? I don't know! lol

Tom - yup it isn't showing in either. Probably because no USB2.0 ports seem to be working

hawkinsa21 · #5 05-09-09, 01:34 PM

but my USB mouse and keyboard are still working in those ports? I'm a bit hesitant to take them out in case they won't go back in...

Rastalovich · #6 05-09-09, 02:33 PM

If the onboard usb ports are blown - a PCI USB card would not be effected.

The only way that would be effected is if power distribution through-out the whole mobo was shot.

In this case u would be experiencing dramatically more problems than u are.

Can u afford to try installing the OS on another harddrive (a spare one, even in ide one, anything 20g+) - just to be certain the drivers in the current OS install is the issue ?

hawkinsa21 · #7 05-09-09, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'

If the onboard usb ports are blown - a PCI USB card would not be effected.

The only way that would be effected is if power distribution through-out the whole mobo was shot.

In this case u would be experiencing dramatically more problems than u are.

Can u afford to try installing the OS on another harddrive (a spare one, even in ide one, anything 20g+) - just to be certain the drivers in the current OS install is the issue ?

I dual boot Vista too. I can check that one? Its on a different partition on the same hard disk. That good enough?

Rastalovich · #8 05-09-09, 03:45 PM

Yes that'd be fine.

hawkinsa21 · #9 06-09-09, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'

Yes that'd be fine.

OK, same problem in Vista. However, its not as bad as I first thought. The USB port that I checked in the back of my PC is actually dead. That was 1 of a block of 4. The others (from the IP35 Pro) are working fine on USB2.0 and the PCI ones are also working fine. I have a Wireless-N dongle in one of those ports and its quite fat. When I plugged my harddisk in the spare port it didn't go all the way in and malfunctioned. I took the N dongle out and tested both ports and all is bon.

The problem is with the Dell monitors ports and the ports on the front of my PC... now, the ones on the front of my PC I've always had concerns about their power supply, because my Freecom Tough drive keeps dropping out on them but not on any others, i.e. the USB2.0 powered hub in my monitor (when it worked).

I'm wondering if a monitor update from Windows has caused them to cack out? Or maybe there are power issues to the monitors hub? Happens in Vista as well so maybe thats the way to go?

hawkinsa21 · #10 06-09-09, 08:08 AM

ZOMG!!!1ONE

OK, found it. A 'new' duff port in the back of my mobo. I actually have 6 off the motherboard, 1 of which I knew was dead, but after checking the power to my monitors USB / memory card hub I remembered its USB powered, not mains powered! I took the swapping it with the mouse, and it worked, so put the mouse into one of the other ports which was obscured from view (my PC is under a desk and not easy to get to the back of). All is OK now! W00t!

Even the USB slots at the front of my PC are working now... how the hell is that explained? They are powered separately inside the case?? God only knows!

Thanks for all your help Rast

top man