Usb question

Hi all.
Running 845PESV Intel mb, W2KP, latest service packs, spyware/virus free. This mb comes with 2 usb ports on back, plus 2 usb ports on front. In bios, adv usb2.0 is enabled, and all ok in Dev mgr. All usb slots work for mouse and dig camera, but only the back slots will recognize my usb jumpdrive. When i plug jumpdrive into front slots, it causes my usb mouse to freeze, and no recognition of jumpdrive at all. Have checked the frontside pinout/cable connection on Intel site - ok, all drivers for chipset installed from mb cd. Lexar jumpdrive has drivers on it for auto recognition/install - works great on rear usb ports only. I do have a usb hub I could try on front ports, but would rather just be able to use the front ports for everything, instead of reaching to back of puter, or having extra clutter on desk with hub.

Any suggestions on what could possibly the cause of this problem? Possible solutions? Have read through the entire 40 pages in this forum, and no problem exactly like mine.

Thanks in advance,

frums

Connect the mouse to a rear USB port, and the jumpdrive to a front one.
If they both work, then the front USB hub does not like having both the mouse and jumpdrive connected at the same time for some reason(internal front USB hub has insufficient power?).

If you do not want to use the external USB hub for the reason you mentioned or the same problem happens with it, then you can install a USB extension cable(5 meters max length) to a rear port, and connect the jumpdrive to it and the mouse to a front port, or vice-versa. It will not clutter up your desktop like the external hub.

If the jumpdrive does not work when it's connected by itself to a front port, then install the USB extension cable to a rear port, and connect the jumpdrive to it.

If both the mouse and jumpdrive are in rear - both work. Jumpdrive by itself in front - doesn't work and locks up mouse in rear. Tried the cable from rear - works. Tried powered usb hub in front with jumpdrive - works and no lockups. This would mean to me, as you suggested, not enough power to front usb ports. Specs say 5V from mb across pin 1&2. I would think that both front and rear would have same specs for usb. I have checked Lexar's site and no specs listed for voltage requirements etc. And haven't checked for mb specs / differences between front and rear ports. So, is there maybe something not quite right with the mb / ps ? I can live with this setup, but would like to know / learn how to fix if possible - that is use front usb like rear. Any other suggestions / info would be welcome. Also noticed that when playing streaming music (have adsl) and I plug in jumpdrive to front usb, it affects sound card - get electrical hum instead of music; this does not happen with powered usb hub. Have 350w ps, running 1x120, 1x80, hd's, plus CDRW, DVD-RW, AGP 64m vid, firewire pci, NIC, 768ram,2x3" case fans. Could it be possible that the PS is now a little undersized for the requirements being put on it?

Thanks again, ski, for the info.

frums

You're welcome.

If the flash drive did not work on either the front or rear ports, then the PS or the MB could be possible suspects.

But considering that the jumpdrive works when it's connected to an external powered hub hooked up to a front port, then the PS should not be the cause.
I suspect that either the internal front USB hub does not have the same power capacity as the rear, or something may be wrong with the front hub.

Open the computer, and check the front ports' configuration.
If they're connected to a USB hub built into the MB(which I doubt), then there's nothing you can do to modify the hub's power output.
But you may be able to fix things by installing a USB PCI card and cables.

If the front ports are already connected to a USB PCI card, then reseat the card making sure it's fully inserted.
Also, make sure the internal USB cables are securely connected to the card.
If those are ok, then install the card in a different PCI slot(not the one next to the AGP slot).
If no luck, then either the card or its cables may be defective.

Thanks ski for your prompt reply. The frontside usb is connected to a mb connector. This is a two cable connection - left 4 points, right 5 points - which is correct and positive connection. The rear side usb ports are hardwired - have 4 - sheesh - missed 2 for the past 6 months :rolleyes: The only specs I can find are for front usb which is 5V. I could check voltages with a meter, but believe this is a problem that the mb maybe wasn't meant to handle when it was designed. I can live with that. My curious mind always wants to know WHY? How come? And its only because of VDR, and helpful people like yourself, that old fools like myself can learn. Way too old to go to school - my g'kids will grad in few years. But I try, and with the help I receive here, have helped others and supplied re-builts to handicapped etc., for the past couple of years. Life is grand!!:)

Thanks again,

frums

Defective cable on the front USB hub???

Thanks ski. Hadn't thought of that. I think I have another internal hub here with cables - will check that out later and see what happens. Will post back with results.

Thanks again,

frums

Thanks ski, for the suggestion on the cable. Unplugged front usb from mb, and tried an extra rear dual usb2.0 hub plugged into front usb mb connection. Tried jumpdrive - worked excellent. Now just have to find a new stacked front usb hub to replace this defective unit. It is sealed unit so can't check wiring etc., so off to supplier tomorrow.

Thanks again,

frums

Glad to hear that you found the cause of the problem, and thanks for posting back.