Problems with usb ports and express card slot

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  1. Posts : 37
    windows 7 premium 64bit
       #1

    Problems with usb ports and express card slot


    Hello, First of all I apoligise if this is in the wrong section, so please move it if it is.

    Im having massive trouble with my USB ports, I have searched and searched the internet using different search fields and I keep coming across the same answers.

    My computer knowledge is only that of an ammeture, so please excuse me if I have overseen something or am unable to provide more technical information.

    All 3 usb ports where working correctly before this incident.

    It started when I plugged in a "Y" cable to use an old HDD as an external storage device. My plan was to have 1 old HDD for my music, and the other for photos and videos.

    When I plugged the "Y" cable in, my laptop turned off instantly, I have since discovered that the protective cover inside the port is missing so the "prongs" are un-protected, and that one the "prongs" had bent over, causing a short.

    I have un bent the "prong", which has half solved the problem, as I no longer get the unknown device message even when there is nothing plugged in, and I no longer hear the "ding dong" when a device is connected or connected as this was going on and on and on, with nothing plugged in to any port.

    I have been into BIOS, and USB ports are enabled, (that took me ages as the BIOS had a password set which I didnt know, so I removed the battery to reset it), In the device manager I have un-installed all the usb drivers, reset the machine, and windows has installed them, this has been done several times.

    Now, anything I plug in to the USB ports (Ive stopped using the damaged one) is not recognized, ive tried all my things on my wifes laptop which all work fine (ipod, iphone and flash stick) so I know the problem is with my machine.

    I bought a USB 2 port express card, 54mm, so I could have USB ports, but im having trouble with this aswell, first of all the express card came with a a USB lead, which im guessing supplies the express card with power as on the other end of the cable is a jack similar to that of a Nokia charger, I have tried using my USB wall charger to give the express card power through the cable, but this did not work, (had to this as USB ports are not working). Secondly, when I insert the card, i hear the "DING DONG", and then nothing else happens, it shows up in device manager under the USB section, which I find strange, as it is plugged in via the express slot, not USB, so surely it should be in the "PCI card" section of the device manager!!

    Please please please can any body share some light as to why my portsare not working, and why my express card is not being recognized properly, and how I can fix them!!

    I can make a video if you like and post it on you tube, if that helps anyone.

    Thanks in advance,

    Yogi.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,668
    Windows 7 x64
       #2

    It sadly does seem quite likely you have caused a problem with the motherboard usb 'power grid' It is possible the bios has simply stuck the system into a protected mode in order to protect the hardware inside.
    The only way I know to check that this is the case is to power down, unplug the laptop and remove the battery for about an hour, then attempt starting back up with no usb devices connected, and see if proper functionality returns. It could simply be as of the moment the laptop has never fully shutdown and been given a chance for the hardware to reset after the fault caused by the faulty plug.

    Sadly in your current situation that would probably be the best case scenario.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 37
    windows 7 premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the advice Maguscreed, I shall try that, as I discovered the faulty port this afternoon, and the lap top has been on all the time since.

    Shall I remove the bios battery aswell?

    thanks,

    Yogi.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,668
    Windows 7 x64
       #4

    resetting the escd data should be sufficient and the bios battery can be difficult to reach on some laptops. It's your call but I don't think it would be necessary
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 37
    windows 7 premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Maguscreed said:
    resetting the escd data should be sufficient and the bios battery can be difficult to reach on some laptops. It's your call but I don't think it would be necessary

    Luckily my BIOS Battery is beneath my keyboard, which has 4 sliding clips which hold it in place, so its simple to get to.

    Im going to power down the laptop before I go to bed, and do what you said, I shall report back in the morning.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 37
    windows 7 premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Maguscreed said:
    It sadly does seem quite likely you have caused a problem with the motherboard usb 'power grid' It is possible the bios has simply stuck the system into a protected mode in order to protect the hardware inside.
    The only way I know to check that this is the case is to power down, unplug the laptop and remove the battery for about an hour, then attempt starting back up with no usb devices connected, and see if proper functionality returns. It could simply be as of the moment the laptop has never fully shutdown and been given a chance for the hardware to reset after the fault caused by the faulty plug.

    Sadly in your current situation that would probably be the best case scenario.

    Hello again Maguscreed,

    I powered down the laptop last night, removed the charger, and the batterey, and left it to stand all night long, Ive just powered it up, and It has picked up a un-recogonized device but there is nothing plugged in, so the problems are all still there.

    Im thinking that I may have fried the motherboard usb controls, but thats just my ammeture opinion.

    (Thought there would be more people on here to help with my problems, or is that down to me being a newb??!!)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    yogibear said:

    I have been into BIOS, and USB ports are enabled,
    If the USB ports have been damaged it would be good to disable them in the BIOS
    you will need to try it with the card installed to see if it is affected I suspect not

    yogibear said:
    I bought a USB 2 port express card, 54mm, so I could have USB ports, but im having trouble with this aswell, first of all the express card came with a a USB lead, which im guessing supplies the express card with power as on the other end of the cable is a jack similar to that of a Nokia charger, I have tried using my USB wall charger to give the express card power through the cable, but this did not work, (had to this as USB ports are not working). Secondly, when I insert the card, i hear the "DING DONG", and then nothing else happens, it shows up in device manager under the USB section, which I find strange, as it is plugged in via the express slot, not USB, so surely it should be in the "PCI card" section of the device manager!!

    The card is a USB device so it will show up in device manager under USB
    Did you not get instructions with the card as to how it should be connected/installed?
    It seems to me to be a waste getting two new USB ports if you are going to have to use one of the old ones to power it.
    If it does need to be powered by the old ports it is no answer to your problems
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 37
    windows 7 premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    pooch said:
    yogibear said:

    I have been into BIOS, and USB ports are enabled,
    If the USB ports have been damaged it would be good to disable them in the BIOS
    you will need to try it with the card installed to see if it is affected I suspect not

    yogibear said:
    I bought a USB 2 port express card, 54mm, so I could have USB ports, but im having trouble with this aswell, first of all the express card came with a a USB lead, which im guessing supplies the express card with power as on the other end of the cable is a jack similar to that of a Nokia charger, I have tried using my USB wall charger to give the express card power through the cable, but this did not work, (had to this as USB ports are not working). Secondly, when I insert the card, i hear the "DING DONG", and then nothing else happens, it shows up in device manager under the USB section, which I find strange, as it is plugged in via the express slot, not USB, so surely it should be in the "PCI card" section of the device manager!!

    The card is a USB device so it will show up in device manager under USB
    Did you not get instructions with the card as to how it should be connected/installed?
    It seems to me to be a waste getting two new USB ports if you are going to have to use one of the old ones to power it.
    If it does need to be powered by the old ports it is no answer to your problems

    I will try disabling them in BIOS, and then enabling them, and shall report back.

    The express card came with no instructions or driver disc, it is an cheap unbranded one from ebay, and i wasnt aware at the time of purchasing it that it requires a power source, untill in arrived, otherwise i wouldnt have bought it!!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 37
    windows 7 premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    pooch said:
    yogibear said:

    I have been into BIOS, and USB ports are enabled,
    If the USB ports have been damaged it would be good to disable them in the BIOS
    you will need to try it with the card installed to see if it is affected I suspect not

    yogibear said:
    I bought a USB 2 port express card, 54mm, so I could have USB ports, but im having trouble with this aswell, first of all the express card came with a a USB lead, which im guessing supplies the express card with power as on the other end of the cable is a jack similar to that of a Nokia charger, I have tried using my USB wall charger to give the express card power through the cable, but this did not work, (had to this as USB ports are not working). Secondly, when I insert the card, i hear the "DING DONG", and then nothing else happens, it shows up in device manager under the USB section, which I find strange, as it is plugged in via the express slot, not USB, so surely it should be in the "PCI card" section of the device manager!!

    The card is a USB device so it will show up in device manager under USB
    Did you not get instructions with the card as to how it should be connected/installed?
    It seems to me to be a waste getting two new USB ports if you are going to have to use one of the old ones to power it.
    If it does need to be powered by the old ports it is no answer to your problems

    Ive tried disabling and enabling the usb and express card control in BIOS, and they are still not working.

    Thanks for suggesting the above.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #10

    yogibear said:

    Ive tried disabling and enabling the usb and express card control in BIOS, and they are still not working.

    Thanks for suggesting the above.
    Disabling the USB in the BIOS was not meant to fix it but to turn the USB ports off so they cannot do more damage
      My Computer


 
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