USB Port Overload - Help!?

Question

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 Desktop Computer with Windows Media Center programming (I no very little about computers.) Recently, my UBS ports stopped recognizing any devices - such as my iPod and my digital camera. After I noticed the problem, I remembered that I got some type of error message a couple of weeks ago saying that there was a power overload to my USB ports. I disreguarded it at the time because I was in the middle of something it it didn't seem important to me. I'm trying to figure out how to get them working again. Someone mentioned to me that I might have to reconfigure them or something similiar? Any advice/ideas/help would be be greatly appreciated! Thanks :-)

Answer 1

a patch for the same is available on the dell website "http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R89758&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=117117"
or u could also disable usb error open Device Manager, click:
start>settings>control panel
Double-click System icon
Click Hardware tab
Click Device Manager button
Expand the list under USB
Right click on intel universal host controller
Left click properties
Left click advanced tab
Check the box which says "do not show usb errors"
click ok close all windows

Answer 2

Most Dell computers have a built in diagnostic test that can be accessed at start up. On my Dell it's the F2 key.

Using the Windows start button, go through a normal shut down. Give it a couple of minutes and then restart the computer. As soon as you hit the power button, immediately and continuously hit the F2 key. You should get a screen that has a diagnostic option.

Use the up / down arrows on the keyboard to highlight the diagnostics option then hit enter. Follow the prompts.

If by some chance your Dell does not have the diagnostic option, try the Dell toll-free customer service number:

1-888-560-8324

Ask them which F(unction) key you need to press at startup. It's a small possibility that something other than, or in addition to, the USB ports is not working properly.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

What you need is a powered USB hub - these hubs allow multiple devices to be attached to the PC without drawing power from it - you actually plug the hub into the wall. You can get these easily - Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Microcenter, CompUSA, Circuit City, Best Buy - all carry them.

Once you relieve the load from the PC, a reboot should re-enable the ports.

Answer 4

USB 2.0 ports can supply power to USB items through the USB cable. This power comes from your motherboard and is very limited. It is easy to overload your motherboard with just a few items.
What you need to do is to get a powered USB 2.0 hub. Attach it to your computers USB port, and attach your devices to the USB hub. The power for your devices will be supplied by the powered USB hub instead of form your computers motherboard.

Answer 5

Many times when a power overload occurs, your laptop will disable the USB port and/or device that got overloaded, to protect itself. Do a MS KnowledgeBase search (www.microsoft.com) on how to re-enable those. In order to prevent the voltage drop again, make sure your laptop is plugged in when you connect the peripherals. If the peripheral has it's own power supply, use that too.

Answer 6

to fix this you need more experience in computers. I reccomend you find a comp shop or a geek to fix it. You shouldn't be hooking all your accessories into one usb port. Each new item requires drivers. Look at it as information overload.

Answer 7

Unistall USB drivers> restart the pc> reinstall the drives....U should be good to go.

Answer 8

You can load some prog like device detectors,
Update your operating system, update the drivers
this may be helpful to you.
check the cofiguration setting for your digital camera, see the instruction for this device, If failed uninstall and reinstall it.
thanks

Answer 9

dell's are wack .. get a new pc..

http://www.bizrate.com/desktopcomputers/brand--hp/products__att259--32295-.html

Answer 10

get a new comp.