USB error

Jim Brennan

Jim Brennan

VHS Member Old Skool
I occasionally use a COmpaq nc6000 laptop running XP pro. When I attach something via USB, I get an error message saying there is something wrong with the device I am attaching. I've used numerous devices including printers and flash drives that work on other systems, but they all get the same message. Obviously the laptop recognizes there is something there, but there is no way to make it work. IIRC, I did not have this problem until I put the laptop on a port replicator/docking station. But the problem exists whether I go through the replicator or into the laptop.

Any thoughts?
 
"USB DEVICE NOT RECOGNIZED

One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. For assistance in solving this problem, click on this message"

Which I do and get a new window. It shows the Tree of the USB Root Hub with both saying "Unknown Device" (even though I only have one plugged in), but one is in boldface.

Then it says "Try reconnecting the device. If windows still does not recognize it, replace the device"

Weird, because all the devices I try work fine on other systems.
 
Looks like you're not alone. Almost everyone on the following site had the same problem with their nc6000.

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service...447626+1199773761536+28353475&threadId=846292

One suggestion said this,
We have had the same problem regarding USB periphials working inconsistantly. We just tried a "fix" that seems to be working for us. It is to make a change in the usb device settings to no longer allow it to decide to turn off usb devices to save power. You can located the setting here:

My Computer > Properties > Hardware Tab > Device Manager > Expand Uninversal Serial Bus Controllers > Right click all "USB Root Hub" entries > Power Mgmt tab > Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
Click to expand...

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the tip PK. I read that board (thanks for the link), and tried those fixes, but no joy.

Crap.
 
One of your USB drivers might be corrupted. You could try and replace the usb drivers in your WINDOWS/system32 directory. There's a bunch of them though...
 
I tried uninstalling/reinstalling them and updating them, but the dang machine keeps telling me that they are the best drivers for the hardware....

Now I remember why I switched to macs....
 
What I mean is to copy the driver files themselves from your install disk (or system restore partition) and actually overwrite the ones in your Windows folder. That's what I would try and do. I'm not recommending you do that cause it might really screw you up and then you would hunt me down and kill me... :)
 
FWIW, I've had this problem in the past, and It was power related. The laptop couldn't crank out enough amps to let the gear properly create a USB signal. Try using the device through a hard drive or powered USB hub.
 
First dis-connect all USB devices

Go to:

Device Manager and then

click on the

USB root hub

and then right click and uninstall device/remove device.

Now re-connect your USB device,

Windows should automatically reinstall the root hub drivers and then it should automatically recognise the devices again.

Other than that it may be a power issue, having to many USB devices may be drawing too much current then your port can sustain.

Anhar
 
Yep, did that. After reading the thread on the HP site it appears this may be a design flaw of some sort.
 
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