Windows 7 - WIFI USB stick only recognized in one usb-port

Not a real problem but just wanna know how this is possible. I have 3-usb ports and they are all working when attaching mouse or usb stick or external usb harddrive and they are all usb2.0 ports.

I bought a sweex wifi usb adapter, plugged it in usb port and I heard ... ding dong... after 1 second ding dong etc etc. So it sees something and a second later it doesn't. It ended up with "unkown device" in device manager. and device manager refreshes all the time just as if it's plugged in and out all the time. So I went back to store and there it's working fine.

I tried 2 of the 3 usb ports end there's the same problem. But when I plug in in 3rd usb port there isn't a problem at all!! It finds drivers automatically from windows update and wifi works. But if I plug it in another usb-port it just doesn't work

How is this possible? And how to fix it?

While I can't offer a fix I can say your not alone! My saitek cyborg v7 keyboard only works on one usb port on my gaming rig, plug It into another an I get the same "unknow device" or "hardware did not install properly"

I've just leanrt to live with it as I never need to unplug it.

Maybe its just poorly written drivers and or driver/hardware conflict

It certainly could be a conflict, and sounds like the most likely.

Only other thing I might be prone to check is the connection. if the pins ...no wait the new ones are probably etched thin PCB contacts, twists even a hair in some ports....well that happens. Do the "troublesome" ports have adequate power, and your sure the jumpers are seated to power the device as it pulls more current than a mouse or whatnot.

Finally to help find the source of the problem can you (assuming you know what you are doing and are properly grounded) determined how many if any of the ports are plugged in via internal USB cord/socket. I cant explain all the possible outcomes, but if there 1 or more you can do some troubleshooting. if a "good" port and a "bad" port are plugged in by internal USB cords, first swap them, then search for other available USB male plug-sets on the MOBO, temporarily use your media card USB cord to MOBO connection. I think you get the picture! and I guess if not, maybe I shouldn't be encouraging you to do this! I'm kidding, just don't know ya' and don't want to assist in destroying our computer.

One last USB RANT...ignore if you want to!:

(I don't know if this part involves your or not, but I will say this - big USB A and/or B plugs are okay...smaller is better....but tiny is quite terrible! Every USB drive or even the mini plugs are to small to hold their own weight and can pull and bend downward over time leaving you with a "da-da"......"da-da"..... "da-da".... syndrome! If I breath on some flash drives at the wrong angle I risk corrupting my files! what ever happened to the metal sheath that was thick enough to hold its own weight? )

Mike

I restored a backup and booted from it (temporary disk drive) and what happens..... it is running fine from ANOTHER usb-port (but now all other ports fail). Went to "windows repair point" and now another port works. Went to another "repair point" (1 week ago) and another port works.

Always only one port works. The port the usb wifi stick was in when installing driver. so definitely a software issue. With Windows 7? With driver?

I'm not the only one btw

Wireless Adapter Only Works on One USB Port

that is quite odd - but I know Ive moved an internal WiFi- that was plugged into a internal USB pin header and I remember a somewhat similar scenario but I was using Vista (probably x86 system) then it worked as expected on another commuter so i never looked into it further..

Mike

yeah I have to admit I am not up to date with how win 7 (or past versions for that matter) register USB device, esp on a port-by-port basis! but when I did try to work on anything of that nature, it was always registry keys that were duplicated or incorrectly installed, but as I am un sure, I'll look into it, and see if some else knows any thing helpful. The link you sent did mention a registry quasi-fix that apparently cleared the entry each time, probably requiring you to wait a while after each reinsertion. I get back if and when I find something, but good luck solving the riddle in the meantime

Mike

I've inspected registry and can't find anything strange concerning usb and driver. Although I'm not a registry specialist on device manager and usb keys. Mike if you find a solution ... please post.