USB devices won't work!!!?

Question

Help! Just recently all my usb devices (3 flash drives, my linksys usb wifi adapter, and my usb hub) won't work! I have an epox motherboard (supports usb 2) and Vista Ultimate OS. All worked well just last week but now my usb devices wouldn't install. My usb flashdrives come up as blanks but when I try them on other computers they work just fine! My linksys usb wifi adapter (which I am using to connect to the net won't install and come up as "unknown USB device"... same for my usb hub. Is it a virus or is the problem with my motherboard? I think it's the latter because I have no problems whatsoever in using my cpu save for everything that I connect to my USB ports.

I've tried updating my usb port drivers through the device manager... still doesn't work. When I plug in my usb flashdrives they won't detect. My usb wifi adapter come up as "USB Device not Recognized".

I always go through the safely remove program procedure before unplugging my usb devices. But now they won't get detected at all. I've tried removing the device driver from device manager, restarting my cpu, then installing again but to no avail. Linksys support could not help me either.

Answer 1

Did you "safely remove" each flashdrive before unplugging? We're supposed to be able to, but it doesn't work that way - read this:

Problem With USB Port – Can’t Reinstall USB Device – Plug & Play Problem
- With Windows Plug & Play feature, Windows is supposed to recognize any device plugged into a USB port -- the problem is after it recognizes something once, Plug & Play will never again try to install that device. You need to erase all memory of the device (printer etc) from the computer.
- Right-click on My Computer, cl Properties, click Hardware, click Device Manager.
- Click on the plus sign next to “Universal Serial Bus.” Look for the problem device’s name and right-click. Now Remove. Restart and reinstall.

Source: Article by James Coates, Chicago Tribune.
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Personal Notes:
1. I found that if I did not go through the “safely remove” procedure before unplugging a USB device, the computer did not recognize another item. I had to reinsert the first item, “safely remove,” then plug in another item. This must be like shutting down for USBs.
2. Some flashdrives are to be removed at shutdown, and reinserted after startup. This is stated on the literature that accompanied my SONY 1G flashdrive. I do not recall seeing this instruction for my Cruzer 1G, but I suspect it is the same. I found that if I leave it connected, I cannot access files. After removing it and reinserting, files are there. A couple other smaller, older flashdrives do not seem to have this problem.
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Answer 2

i can specifically target what your problem is form such a vague description . but here is a solution try doing s system restore to when the usb worked just fine . You could go to your device manger settings and try updating your drivers . Sometimes certain setting or changed or kinks get in the system due to operational error so just restore it and that should take care of your problem . It could also very well be that your front usb ports are some how damaged or not clean enough for data transfer try the back usb ports if that still does not work just system restore . Try any one of teh three one shoudl solve your solution

Answer 3

particularly some the time, this does not do any harm yet you are able to desire to you are able to desire to click the "effectively get rid of hardware" icon purely in case. Plug your USB force right into a working laptop or pc and notice if any information are lacking or corrupted.

Answer 4

go to the device manager and update the drivers on all your USB hubs/ports

Answer 5

Call Linksys and tell them that there equipment wont work and they will walk you through fixing it. That should help with the other problems as well.

1-800-326-7114 U.S. & Canada
E-Mail- [e-mail]

Good Luck

Answer 6

I would do a system restore also, every once in a while something weird happens to my laptop and I have to restore. It's not something you want to do all the time but it usually works. Note the day you restore to, so you will have a reference point.