Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Windows Vista not recognizing usb devices

Nov 13, 2012 5:18AM PST

I have a Compaq Presario F700 laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit with Service Pack 2. a couple of months ago I got my ram upgraded from 1 to 2 gigs. around that time i also got an external usb hub (machine has three, but i also have an external webcam (none built-in) wireless mouse and keyboard). Anyway when I get the usb hub, I plug my keyboard and my webam (logitech 250) into it. About 1 month goes by without any problems then for not reason I get the error message saying "Webcam plugged into usb 1.1 port. Please plug into an avaiable usb 2.0 port". Ever since then, the port on my laptop that the hub was plugged into does not want to recognize anything I plug into it (I get the USB device not recognized notification). As a test I plugged my mouse adapter into the port (adapter has a light to tell me when it is working). and the light came on until the welcome screen.

Sorry this took so long to explain, I tried to provide as much detail about the problem that I could.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Sad to say yup.
Nov 13, 2012 5:24AM PST

Did you ever accept any driver from Microsoft? And ports do go bad. As a test I boot up my UBUNTU LiveCD so I don't disturb the installed Windows and see if the mouse works on that port.
Bob

- Collapse -
I'm not sure what you mean
Nov 13, 2012 5:30AM PST

I'm sorry, but what do you mean by "have you ever accepted any driver from Microsoft"? Do you mean if i ever installed driver updates? if that is the question then the answer is that I am running the most up-to-date USB drivers. Also the other 2 ports work fine with everything that i plug into them.

- Collapse -
Sad to read that.
Nov 13, 2012 5:33AM PST

Drivers are not something I suggest folk update. Drivers do not wear out and Microsoft keeps stumbling on that one. It's partially their fault for not mandating a change over a decade again to properly identify chips and more.

OK, try the Ubuntu test to see if the port is dead or alive.
Bob

- Collapse -
PS. Another thought.
Nov 13, 2012 5:34AM PST

Some PCs let us disable ports or set them to legacy mode. It's your machine so you should be familiar enough to go check that out.

- Collapse -
About the Ubuntu thing...
Nov 13, 2012 5:39AM PST

I just checked and yes all my USB ports are enabled and windows says they are working properly.

1 more thing, what is Ubuntu liveCD and how do i use it to check usb ports?

- Collapse -
I put that question into google.
Nov 13, 2012 5:43AM PST