USB help

ffocused · 31-01-2006 10:24pm #1

I am having a prblem with my Advent DHE500.
(rebadged Elonex Artisan)

The 2 front usb ports are not working, they have power but windows will not recognise anything connected to them. ie i plug in an external hard drive and it powers up, but does not show in 'my computer'

also the lcd panel on the front of the unit does not work properly either, the hard drive light is all that works on that.

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Sam Vimes · 31-01-2006 10:26pm

the ports at the front of cases are generally usb 1.1 for some reason. so they are working, they just won't work with your hard drive. just use the back ones

ffocused · 31-01-2006 10:29pm

they did work a few weeks ago, i cannot use a printer, ipod or hard drive with them, havent tried anything else. i det up the printer to work on one but it will not work anymore.

they are marked as usb 2.0 too.

jimmycrackcorm · 31-01-2006 10:32pm

By any chance are you using windows 2000?
The win2k usb stack is dodgy especially if the usb is not driven with an NEC chipset.

I had the same problem with a laptop and also with an external drive. Uninstall the usb ports and more importantly the usb root hub also. Letw Windows find them again. XP is much better with usb.

Microsoft are aware of the porblem but won't fix it.

ffocused · 31-01-2006 10:34pm

no i am running xp media center sp2

Airblazer · 31-01-2006 10:49pm

could be a prob with power getting to them..try reseating the cables for the front panel..

ffocused · 31-01-2006 11:03pm

but they do have power..... windows just does not recognize anything connected, when i connect something that draws power from the usb, it will turn on but i cannot access it.
do usb sockets have 2 leads from the back? ie 1 for power and 1 to the cpu? forgive me if this sounds stupid as i am no good with anything outside the windows interface....

Airblazer · 01-02-2006 8:49am

ffocused wrote:

but they do have power..... windows just does not recognize anything connected, when i connect something that draws power from the usb, it will turn on but i cannot access it.
do usb sockets have 2 leads from the back? ie 1 for power and 1 to the cpu? forgive me if this sounds stupid as i am no good with anything outside the windows interface....

did you check the cables to the usb front panel?

ffocused · 01-02-2006 12:13pm

i am reluctant to open it up as i only got it 5 weeks ago and will void the warranty, i take it that that must be the problem so. I will have to take it back.

Airblazer · 01-02-2006 5:01pm

you don't void the warranty for opening a pc...how are people supposed to upgrade if this is the case?

ffocused · 01-02-2006 6:30pm

sorry Airblazer, i just presumed that computers had one of those tamper seals like dvd palyers amps etc. I had a look at the back and there was none to be found.

I opened it up and could not get at the usbs on the front as they are underneath the dvd drive. I pushed in the connecter for the led display, as i could see that, put the cover back on and booted up..... and everything works again!!!! it appears that tilting it forwards fixed the usbs so their is a loose connection in there somewhere. Thank you airblazer:)

BTW would you recommend me bringing back the computer to get it looked at? bearing in mind i got it in PC World:o

Airblazer · 02-02-2006 3:25pm

nah..I wouldn't worry about it..it probably just came lose..if it happens again then do..

ffocused · 02-02-2006 4:55pm

OK then. Thanks Airblazer.

USB help

Comments