Weird USB problem

[Chewie]

Not something im interested in solving, as its in my work pc, but just curious.

I have a novatech based pc, can't tell you what it is as its un important lets just say its a p4 1.8 on an ECS mobo and has 256mb of 133 ram (yay went all out on the expenses when they bought these)

WHen i plug any USB cable into the front ports, it sometimes doesnt give me the *unplug /eject hardware* iconon my task bar but if i take it out, close the warning pop up, and move to the other one, it does come up.

The system is running win2k (couldn't tell you what level of patch it has as in this job, I just research and cost materials for jobs) and is restricted to admin access on a lot of things (contro pane only has date time/dipslay/keyboard/mail/mouse/regional options/scanners and cameras Icons accessible)

The problem persists for all my usb devices. Mp3 for recharging, Flashstick (novatech one using Buffalo 128mb mem) or my Sony Cybershot camera. ANd of course themouse, which is always plugged in.
I can start on the top port, move to the bottom port, go away, and when i come back, if i plug into the bottom port, i havethe same problem and so move to the top, when i get the right operation.

This doesn't affect the use of the equipment or data transfer, but is strange that it cycles round the 2 ports as if there is a conflict.

I'm not too concerned like i say, its just something thats stumped me as i can't chase it back to the root cause.

Personally i reckon its just the mobo being craptastic and your usual cost cutting measures.

[Coops]

This is a strange one. It could be a few things. Your right the issue could be with the mainboard. But the front ports are a small circuit board that is mounted in the front of the case and then via a wire linked to the PC mainboard.
It could be an issue with the cabling or the circuit board the ports are connected to. If it was dry solder joints that might explain why it works and then doesn't as you plug and unplug you move the joints slightly enough to make and break one of the four connections that make up USB.
I have not seen thaqt behaviour before so not to sure where to begin but thats all i can think of right now.

Do you know what the system model number was??

[Chewie]

Thanks coops for the reply

AS i say, its not really an issue, as its not anything that will get resolved if i chuck it into our IT group and ask for it to be looked at, and if i were to tinker, i'd get shot most likely :lol:

As for it being a possible dry solder joint or something similar, after thinking some more on it, i reckon its a hardware/software interface problem. For some reason its not always recognising when something is plugged in (even if it shows up in my computor)

This occurs occaisionally with the cable for the sony cybershot camera that is permantly plugged into 1 of the rear ports, when i connect it up to dl any images.

A re-install of the driver might solve it.

I couldn't give you the system model number as i have no way of finding it out, beyond the fact that it was made/delivered around Jan 2003, with the serial number of PCB(follwed by company initials) and has been loaded with win2k pro.

I just wish i had admin access like i do with my Novatech Laptop, so i could at least get into the hardware config and check for any conflicts or errors being reported by the software on the USB controller.

Still don't lose any sleep over it guys, I'm not, the way we keep getting shifted round the offics, i reckon it'll get dropped at somepoint in the future.

just to clarify , my final comment on the original post about cost cutting was not aimed at novatech but who i work for.