USB problem with laptop

MrMiyagi

Hello,

The two of my USB ports that I use for a 3G modem and an External TV card are no longer able to detect the hardware. Any ideas what could be wrong?

I can still use pen drives or external hardrives in these USB ports but I cant use these other devices.

I am running Windows XP on a Toshiba Laptop which is 2.5 years old.

I did install some windows updates. Service Pack 3 for XP.

Thank you

MrMiyagi

Is there anybody out there

drunkmonkey

You best is to call your broadband providers techincal support. I'd say it's some kind of driver error, i.e your computer thinks your modem is a cd drive not a modem etc.
Is the modem showing up under windows explorer as a modem? Are there any errors in the device manager?

mickoneill30

Some of the USB modems come with a USB cable that has one small connector on one end and two large connectors on the other end. One of those extra connectors is for extra power.

USB ports provide different amounts of power (who knows why). I used to have a pain in the hole supporting my users with the O2 modems and a brand of laptop we used. If you used the USB ports on the left of the laptop you only needed a normal USB cable. If you used the USB ports on the right you had to use the one with the extra connector for power. No matter what instructions you gave the users or stickers you put on the laptop you'd still get called saying the VPN was down.

If it worked before on your laptop it's probably not the problem but it's no harm trying it out.

MrMiyagi

drunkmonkey wrote: »

You best is to call your broadband providers techincal support. I'd say it's some kind of driver error, i.e your computer thinks your modem is a cd drive not a modem etc.
Is the modem showing up under windows explorer as a modem? Are there any errors in the device manager?

When I plug in my modem and external tv card to the usb ports on the right side of my laptop there are no flashing lights and they are not detected in windows explorer. They were working in these ports till last week.

My modem still works in the usb port at the back but the tv card is an unregognisable device in the usb ports in the back.

The usb ports on the right hand side are still working for my external hard drive etc

Any ideas.

The_Conductor

Sounds like hardware failure (as in the USB ports/controller).

Have a look in device manager and see if the controllers (you probably have 2) are still detected and listed as functioning properly.

The fact that you have multiple devices not working in the ports- but intermittently working in another port on the laptop, would seem to indicate a problem with the ports.

One solution- get a PCMCIA/Express Card add-in with new ports on it. Its inelegant, but could solve your probs- if it is indeed the controller thats gone askew.

Reaps

You can simply buy a USB hub and plug the modem etc in to it, was having similar problem and worked for me.