Solved USB & BIOS issues

[iglotruck]

Hi. I have a feeling this thread could have gone under either the drivers, hardware or gaming section of the forums, so I decided to put it here as I have quite a few issues at the moment.



I recently got a new motherboard (Z97-P) and a new processor (i5-4690k). Everything seemed fine until I started connecting more USB-devices - especially the Saitek x52 Pro. After doing so other USB-devices have started acting weirdly, and sometimes even booting the computer is an issue. Making changes in BIOS is impossible.

1) The x52 Pro seems to prevent the computer from booting. Whenever the joystick is connected, I am asked to either start Windows normally, or enter Windows Repair Mode (I'm not quite sure if that's what it says on an English OS, mine isn't). If I choose WRM it starts looking for issues, but is unable to find any. If I select start Windows normally, a small, retro-style, gray bar appears at the bottom of the screen and says something like "Loading Files". After the it has finished loading, the screen goes black before a small white underscore starts flashing. Give it 10 seconds and I have entered BIOS, without even asking for it.

I am very rarely able to boot "properly" with the joystick is connected, it has happened a few times I've heard the Windows log-in audio, but the monitor has gone to sleep mode.


2) Sometimes I am unable to boot even with the joystick un-plugged, although after a couple of restarts I'm able to successfully boot. I am still not able to make any changes in the BIOS. If I make any changes, I save, the computer restarts, and I'm back to the loop between normal launch (retro-loading, BIOS) and WRM (searches for issues, can't find any, restart). To be able to boot properly I have to enter BIOS and reset the changes I've made.

3) USB connections are unstable. At startup my USB WiFi adapter can refuse to recognize itself. It usually starts by looking normal, but the adapter then disconnects, and there's an evergoing disconnect-sound. I have to manually re-plug it, and wait for the internet connection to show in the task tray. As soon as it shows I need to troubleshoot issues, and the adapter will reset itself, and the problem is gone.

This has also happened a few times hours after I've started the computer. I have to do the same thing: Re-connect, troubleshoot.


4.1) I have installed the USB 3.0 drivers for my motherboard. I am not using the USB 3.0 ports for anything but USB 3.0 devices.

4.2) I am not sure if I have updated my BIOS. I do remember updating my BIOS once, but whether or not it was on this or the old motherboard I am not sure. If there's a way to find out if it's updated or not I'll gladly find out and post the results here. I have no idea if a BIOS-upgrade/-downgrade may cause/fix issues.

4.3) The Saitek x52 Pro driver and software is such a hassle to install, and I have given up until my issues above have been fixed - there's obviously no reason to even try when I can't boot up properly with it connected.



Hopefully some smart souls can help me out, as I'm getting so sick of this. If you need any more information please ask, I will do my best to provide you.

Thank you!

 

[paul1149]

The first thing I would try is booting into Safe Mode, via F8. If that works you need to go to msconfig and turn off some autoruns on the startup tab.

If it doesn't work try "Last known good configuration".

Next would be a BIOS update/reflash.

 

[iglotruck]

Could you elaborate on turning off some autoruns on the startup tab? Are there any specific ones I should disable?

 

[paul1149]

Did you get into safe mode? Really, all of it can go for now. Or if the "Diagnostic boot" option is available, on the boot tab I believe, just check it, which will do just that. Also go to the services tab, check "hide MS Services", and see what else is autorunning.

 

[iglotruck]

I am unable to get into safe mode. When I press F8 I get quite a few options:

1) "Windows Boot Manager (P1: ST3000DM011-1CH166)"
2) "P1: ST3000DM011-CH166 (2861588MB)"
3) "P2: ST1000DX001-1NS162 (953869MB)"
4) "P3: KINGSTON SH103S3240G (228936MB)"
5) "P4: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-244DB (94MB)"
6) "Enter Setup"

Regardless of which one I choose it will take me to the BIOS. Switching around the boot-order only complicates things in terms of starting the computer properly.

Thanks for helping out by the way!

 

[paul1149]

You're welcome. That looks like a BIOS boot device screen. Usually it is reserved for anything other than F8 because f8 is the purview of Window's Advanced Boot Menu. Often it is an F9 function. Make sure it's F8 you are pressing, and don't start pressing until just before the BIOS splash screen is about to disappear and Windows start to load.

Otherwise I would say a BIOS flash would be a good idea.

 

[iglotruck]

All USB devices have now stopped working, I'm on a laptop.

Windows wanted to install some updates, and after the install I rebooted. It took me straight to the safe-mode selection with safe mode, safe mode with internet nad normal mode. At this time the keyboard and mouse were working; the LEDs were activated, and the keyboard was responsive.

I booted to safe mode, but the keyboard and mouse (and all other devices) were not working. The LEDs are turned off.
After un-plugging all the devices but keyboard and mouse, and after a couple of reboots the keyboard and mouse were working in safe mode, and I was able to look through the boot-list. I removed some softwares.

When I booted to normal mode, the keyboard and mouse were no longer working - nor were any other devices I tried plugging in.

The devices do work in BIOS too.

By the way, I double-checked F8 was the key I pressed earlier, and it was. When I press F8 it takes me to the boot-device list I mentioned in an earlier post.

I guess a BIOS flash is the next thing to do? Please walk me through it if you don't mind.

 

[paul1149]

First, here's what I was going to write:

Yes, it's looking like a bios flash is needed, and I would do it soon as the board may be degrading. You would go to the maker's support site and download the latest bios version. Some of them are windows-based, others can be executed in DOS mode from a usb stick.
​

But then I realized the peripherals were working in bios mode. It may be the windows install. Did you reinstall to accommodate the new motherboard?

 

[iglotruck]

Yes, I reinstalled the OS. I have an SSD I partitioned, one for OS, another for a couple of games. I don't recall if I formatted the harddisk the easy way or using the commandpromt available in the installer.

You reckon I should do both BIOS flash and reformat?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Could just be the device defect ?
I doubt a bios flash would do anything for the device,
Safe mode in these newer boards "x99 for me" is so weird I still to this day haven't been able to figure out how to get to safe mode or with networking
All I do know is F8 isn't the key to use that is the boot menu as you showed all of the devices on it
Which is an interesting list

How many hdd's or ssd's do you have connected ?

 

[iglotruck]

1x SSD
1x HDD
1x SSHD
1x External hard drive (USB 3.0)

 

[ThrashZone]

Thanks from a Google
Looks like the way to get into safe mode or with networking...
1) Disable Fast or Quick start in bios boot section
Save that.
2) Use F8 on restart or startup and select the drive you want to boot too
3) Once you make that selection repeat tapping F8 quickly
Note hopefully disabling fast start will give you more than a second to use F8 again
I read you have to be quick or the drive you selected will boot and you'll have to start over.

Another way is inside the os,
Use Start or Winkey+R to open the run box
Type
msconfig and the enter key
Then check safe mode on the boot section apply and restart when prompted.

 

[iglotruck]

Thanks from a Google
Looks like the way to get into safe mode or with networking...
1) Disable Fast or Quick start in bios boot section
Save that.
2) Use F8 on restart or startup and select the drive you want to boot too
3) Once you make that selection repeat tapping F8 quickly
Note hopefully disabling fast start will give you more than a second to use F8 again
I read you have to be quick or the drive you selected will boot and you'll have to start over.

Another way is inside the os,
Use Start or Winkey+R to open the run box
Type
msconfig and the enter key
Then check safe mode on the boot section apply and restart when prompted.

I can't make any changes in BIOS, and the keyboard & mouse are unresponsive when I enter Windows.

 

[ThrashZone]

Okay
First power off I suppose just unplugging the machine is all you can do at this point :/
Then while it's unplugged hold down the power button for no less than 45 seconds
That will release any additional power in the board
Wait another 5 or so minutes.
Unplug every thing except the mouse and keyboard.
Plug it back in and power up and use F2 or Delete key to enter setup or bios.
See if the devices are functional.

 

[paul1149]

Why are BIOS changes not possible? The keyboard is working at that point, correct?

I would be interested in running a Linux Live session (or even a DOS session) off a USB stick or CD. If USB works there it's the Windows install. For that matter you could run the Windows install disk as a repair disk, as it should see USB too.

 

[iglotruck]

As I mentioned in the OP I am forced to reset any changes I make in BIOS as I can't boot properly otherwise.

I did the power-stuff TrashZone mentioned, and I'll check if the devices work with the Windows CD. If they do I guess I'll reinstall Windows 7. Should I update BIOS too?

 

[ThrashZone]

You shouldn't have to update the bios seemed to work before the retched device was used didn't it ?

 

[iglotruck]

It hasnt been accepting changes in a long time, dunno if that is my OS or something with the BIOS.

Trying the win cd now.

 

[ThrashZone]

You can try the cmos jumper to reset your bios refer to your mother board manual on exactly how to do that.

 

[iglotruck]

I'm in the Windows Installer now with both keyboard and mouse working. I've wiped the SSD and HDD to make sure everything driver-wise has been removed. Currently re-installing Windows.

Do you recommend installing everything the motherboard's CD has to offer, or should I pick certain drivers and softwares and leave less important ones out?

I'll have a look at the CMOS jumper if this doesn't resolve anything.

Thanks for your help guys.