Problem with built-in memory card reader and USB ports

theshoemaker · 09 Apr 2012

Ok, long and confusing story... I'm posting this all because I'm not sure what triggered the problem.

I have a HP workstation with 4 USB ports in the back, 2 in the front and an internal memory card reader that also has a single USB port. Windows 7 pro 32-bit.

I tried plugging in a new external HD to a USB port in the back of the machine. Nothing happened and it didn't show up in My Computer, same thing with one of the front USB ports. I thought it might be a problem with the HD, so I went into disk management, but it got stuck in "Connecting to virtual disk service" with nothing showing up, not even internal HD's. I unplugged the new HD, and now got into disk management fine, tried plugging it in again - nothing. I went into to device manager, and noticed there was an unknown USB device with a stop error. I figured I'd remove the device and let Windows re-detect it (not sure if this was smart?).

Then, I plugged the new HD again, and now it finally showed up. Now it works through any USB port, including the one on the card reader. However, now I can no longer read memory cards with it! I also noticed that the small LED on the reader stays lit even if there is nothing plugged in, I recall it should be lit only when something is connected.

I looked in device manager again, and again I have an unknown device under USB drivers with an error (code 43), but I have no idea if its the card-reader or what..?

Is there a way to reinstall the reader? or could it be broken? it worked fine this morning, and the USB port on it still functions. I have no idea how to find a driver for it as it came with the machine and at least HP's support page doesn't seem to have a driver for any card reader for this particular PC model.

bassfisher6522 · 09 Apr 2012

Yes you sure can...go to HP's support website, dirver/downloads and input your make and model, OS type (32 or 64 bit) then drivers and download the latest card reader driver.

HP Support & Drivers | United States

alishathomaz · 10 Apr 2012

For USB ports follow these guidelines::

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows
Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.

1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
3 Click System.
4 In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
5 Click Device Manager.
6 Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties.
7 Click the Drivers tab.
8 Click Roll Back Driver.

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your
computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.

bassfisher6522 · 10 Apr 2012

alishathomaz said:

For USB ports follow these guidelines::

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows
Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.

1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
3 Click System.
4 In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
5 Click Device Manager.
6 Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties.
7 Click the Drivers tab.
8 Click Roll Back Driver.

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your
computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver.

Good advice...the only problem is that the original poster doesn't know which usb port goes to which usb device. Which is why I suggested the driver download directly from HP's website...makes it a little less confusing for them is all.

You're spot on with your advice...

theshoemaker · 10 Apr 2012

As mentioned, there isn't a driver for the reader provided by HP, at least not for this particular machine. So I have no idea where to look for it