Strange USB Port scenario with Gigabyte Motherboard

Griffmaster · 30 Jan 2011

Hi.
Can someone explain what might be going on here please.
MoBo ~ Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H on Windows 7
I have a Belkin USB Hub which is connected to one of the rear MoBo USB ports and works fine.
I also have a USB Wireless Adapter which is plugged into one of the Hub Ports and works fine.
To tidy wiring up a bit, I removed the Wireless Adapter USB plug from the Hub and plugged directly into MoBo USB and Wireless Adaptor stops working.
Even if I plug the Wireless Adaptor into the MoBo USB port which the Hub was using still does not work.
Plug the Hub into the MoBo USB Port and and the Adapter into the Hub again and it works OK.
Can anyone explain why the Wireless Adaptor will not work when plugged directly into the MoBo but works OK in plugged into a Hub which is plugged into the MoBo?
Thanks.

TVeblen · 30 Jan 2011

As a start I would go to the Device Manager and look at the Properties of each of the devices and see if there is a "Ports" Tab, then see if there are any options to change the port location.

If the wireless adapter has any program settings I would check all of those to see if there is anything that can be changed.

Griffmaster · 30 Jan 2011

Thanks TVeblen.

Had a look thro' Device Manager with no issues anywhere.

One thing I have picked up during Googling is that apparently, some devices need more power than a Mobo USB can provide and thus need to be connected to a powered Hub??

Mine is a powered Hub and the adapter is an ‘ALFA High Power 1000mW Wireless USB WiFi version’.

Could this be why it only works when plugged into my powered Hub?

theog · 30 Jan 2011

You need to install drivers for Wireless USB WiFi, for each USB port.
If for say you have 20 USB ports, you need to install drivers 20 times.
Best to keep to one port.
Yes, USB hardware will work best on powered hubs.

Griffmaster · 31 Jan 2011

Have tried uninstalling the Adapter Driver then connecting Adapter directly to one of the mobo ports and reinstalling the Adapter driver ~ no luck just a red cross in the Taskbar connection Icon no yellow markers in Device Manager anywhere.
This Adapter seems to only work from a powered USB Hub so looks like the answer is it needs to be connected in this way.
Have read on the 'net that some devices require more power than mobo can supply thus could this be reason why it (Alfa Network AWUS036H 1000mW Wireless G USB Adapter) will work from a powered Hub USB port?

TVeblen · 31 Jan 2011

No, I haven't read anything like that.

USB devices that require more power than can be provided by the USB specification will come with their own power supply, an external hard drive for instance.

A USB wireless adapter for a PC would be designed to run on the USB (2.0) spec all by itself, particularly if the adapter was designed to also be used with a laptop.

If your issue is actually a power issue I would suspect either a defective adapter (that needs more power than spec), or a more global issue with yoiur motherboard's USB ports.

EDIT: I just looked at a picture of that unit. It uses a USB cable to connect it to the computer. (A lot of adapters plug in directly).

You could just be dealing with a bad cable. Try switching it with another one from a known working device.