USB Root Hub conflict that won't go away.

Hi, I hope someone can help me.

I had not used my scanner in a while, and then the other day, I tried to use it and got a message saying my scanner was on my computer, but could not be accessed. I went to my device manager, and saw the yellow exclamation point next to my USB Root Hub. When I clicked on properties to see what the problem was, it said the NTKERN.VXD device loader(s) could not load the device driver (Code 2, which I checked at the Microsoft site also). It then said, to fix this, click update driver to update the device driver, which I did, and it confirmed it did so. Well, my scanner (HP ScanJet 3300C), still isn't working, and the USB Root Hub conflict still remains in my Device Manager. I even went as far to put in my Dell Devices disk and have my computer look for a better driver on it, and my Windows 98SE CD also. I also disconnected the USB device, un-installed the USB hub from Device Manager, re-booted then uninstalled all the HP software, rebooted again and then reinstalled the software, checking for patches, updates, and connected the scanner to try again. Nothing worked and nothing was resolved. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Dell Dimension XPS Tr600
Windows 98SE
IntelP3,CU,600/100,256K,SKT
512SDRAM
TBS Montego II soundcard
32MB DDR NVidia GForce2 GTS
WDC 20G HD/Maxtor 80GB Slave drive

 

Steve -- It didn't actually go away..it disappeared off the device manager list, since I chose 'remove'.

 

Disconnect any USB devices. Go to Device Manager and remove everything listed under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. They should reinstall automatically when you reboot, otherwise direct the New Hardware wizard to the Dell CD.

For Win 98 I connect USB devices when the computer is powered off.

Have you downloaded any updated drivers from Dell? Of course, get any that relate to USB, but also any that relate to the chipset.

Matt

 

When you install or reinstall USB devices in Win98 you should install the software that came with the device first, before connecting the device, itself, to the PC or plugging in the power to the device.

 

" "Disconnect any USB devices. Go to Device Manager and remove everything listed under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. They should reinstall automatically when you reboot, otherwise direct the New Hardware wizard to the Dell CD." "

Thank you for the replies, matt and Jim. Now matt...after I disconnect all of my USB devices, and then remove everything under USB Controllers, then reboot, so they reinstall automatically, should I THEN power off, and reconnect the USB devices?

" "Have you downloaded any updated drivers from Dell? Of course, get any that relate to USB, but also any that relate to the chipset" "

Quite frankly, matt, I'm not sure where I should look for those on the Dell site. God, I feel so stupid now..LOL

Lastly, thanks for your advice, Jim..I will definitely do that.

 

matt and Jim,

I did everything you both mentioned above. However, when I removed everything under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. USB Root Hub, Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller, reinstalled themselves upon reboot, but Standard Universal to PCI Host Controller did not. In any event, I continued on, reinstalling the HP software, then powering down and reconnecting the scanner (the only USB device I have plugged in) and rebooted. Unfortunately, the USB Root Hub still contained the exclamation point in yellow, and the scanner still didn't work. I did a GoBack reversal, to an hour previous to all of this, and was glad to see that the Standard Universal to PCI Host Controller was back in the list.

I also checked Dell..my model being the Dell Dimension XPS T___, and it didn't look like there were any patches or updates for anything other than keyboard stuff..unless I didn't look in the right place? All in all..since all of this didn't remedy this conflict, is it possible that my USB Root Hub is permanently damaged and beyond repair?

 

Nope...highly unlikely.

The Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB U.H.C. is the hardware that you need, you should not need the "Standard" Host Controller, this is a standard set of drivers that Windows installs when it does not have the correct drivers available. If the Standard Host Controller is running the Root Hub, this may be why the Root Hub is not working.

Since you have a fall-back in the form of GoBack, dont worry about removing drivers, you can always use the GoBack backup. Although...your Root Hub does not work now, so you may as well try whatever you can to get it to work. Don't panic, you wont break anything by removing the drivers. As long as you have the original drivers on the Dell CD you can always reinstall those.

Next, I would boot into Safe Mode (start tapping the F8 key as soon as the first screens appear at startup). Go to Device Manager and remove anything under Universal Serial Bus Controllers (like before). Go to Add/Remove programs and remove the HP scanner software. Look for any other programs that may effect the scanner (did you have another scanner before this one?)

Reboot and let (or direct) Windows to reinstall the drivers. This time, reboot again. Windows will sometimes find extra hardware after the major components are installed. Make certain the Root Hub and the Intel Host Controller don't have any exclamation marks next to them before you install the scanner software as Jim suggested. When the software seems to be installed correctly, shutdown and connect the scanner.
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One physical problem I can think of is that the connectors of the USB port may be dirty. I see a lot of dust collected in USB ports that are seldom used. If greasey dust has been pushed into the port, the connectors may be fouled. If you think so, get some "Contact Cleaner" (from an electronics store like RadioShack) and flush the ports and USB cable connectors with that. Read the instructions, disconnect all power and leave it to dry.

Matt

 

Hope that helps you solve the problem.
Something that is niggling in my mind. You only mention one Root Hub. There should be one Root Hub for each USB port on the computer and I have not seen a computer with only one USB port. If the computer has more than one USB port, there should be more than one Root Hub. If not, there may be a loose connection on the USB system somewhere.

Matt

 

matt..I do have two USB ports, but only one is listed under USB controllers. I thought that was because I only use 1 USB port..the one for my scanner (???). Should I try plugging it into the other one? How can I fix it so both USB Root Hubs show up?

 

matt, I did everything you said above, except reinstall the HP software because the yellow exclamation point remained next to USB Root Hub, even after all of that. When I booted into safe mode to remove them..there was no exclamation point next to it, but it returned after rebooting in normal mode, and letting Windows reinstall the USB devices. Also, when windows detected new hardware, it detected one unknown device, which it installed. I have no idea what that might be. In any event, should I try rebooting into safe mode, and installing the software in safe mode, where the USB Root Hub doesn't have a conflict?

 

matt --

I tried reinstalling the software in safe mode, then powering down, connecting my scanner, and restarting, but, once again, my scanner was not detected, and the USB Root Hub remains in conflict. The thing is..I lost the CD to my scanner, so I've been using the executable provided by the HP site for my model.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?lc=en&lang=en&cc=us&product=58390&dlc=en&os=20

ScanJet 3300C/Cse/Cxi PrecisionScan LT software/driver - USB only

I use the first one under 'Driver' (above). Is that the full software, or might that be the reason for my USB Hub problem?

 

If the Root Hub keeps showing an error, even without the scanner or it's software connected/installed, then the problem is with the USB drivers, the USB hardware or maybe with Windows itself.

Let me do a little research (you may want to do some of your own...Google search for "ntkern.vxd USB ").

I have had problems with ntkern.vxd in 98SE (long time ago). In fact, try doing a search of the WindowsBBS Win 98 forum for ntkern.vxd.

Be prepared that you may have to reinstall Windows. If the Windows system is rather old, it may be getting clogged up with junk. A reinstall
will renew the system files, everything will remain intact. If there are problems with the registry, you may have to do a clean install of Windows (and reinstall your software). Either way, pretend that your harddrive is about to break down and you will lose everything on it (Windows may be headed for a complete breakdown if it cannot install basic USB drivers). Copy all your important data to removable disk (CD, DVD or even floppy). After that, you should be confident to try any "fixes ", you will have your backups if you need to clean install Windows again.

Matt

 

I have had this computer since 2000, and the operating system is still the same one (Windows 98SE, that came with the puter).

If it gets to the point where I probably have to reinstall windows, I may as well upgrade to Windows XP.

Anyway..the problem does seem to be the driver, since that's the message I get when I click on the properties of the USB Root Hub, but when I click for Windows to update it...and it's finished, nothing changes. I'm assuming maybe my ntkern.vxd is damaged, but then again..who knows!

Thank you, so far, for all the wonderful time and help. I'm praying we can fix this without having to reinstall! Everything was working fine, then one day...BOOM! I was at the point of blaming my cat, because he loves to fool around on top of the scanner when I'm at the computer. God knows how many times he pushed the button to start a scan when I was in the middle of something..LOL

 

I would expect that the drivers are Dell proprietary type. Do not assume that you would be able to install a retail version of Win XP, you would probably need to get a Dell upgrade version of Windows to get the correct XP drivers. You could email Dell support if you are interested.

Do you have any PCI add-in cards installed? If so there may be a resource conflict. All you would need to do is open the case, unbolt the card and put it into another PCI slot. Windows will automatically reassign the resources. If you happen to have an internal modem or PCI soundcard, put these in the last slots (near the edge of the motherboard).

The microsoft "fix ":
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q299264

A very similar problem:
http://www.usbman.com/oldforum/forum9/messages/2562.html
the response:
http://www.usbman.com/oldforum/forum9/messages/2564.html

I would look at reinstalling Windows if those did not work.

Matt

 

Thank you so much, matt. I looked up the problem on this site, per your instructions, and it didn't look like it was solved in any of the situations. This seems to be one of those problems that no one can fix!

Well...so far, the Microsoft solution didn't work, and I was so sure it was going to, as everything went smoothly -- then lo and behold, after I restarted, that dang exclamation point was still there As for the other link, and the PCI cards being put into other slots..I will need someone to help me with that, as I'm too much of a novice to take a chance with the BIOS and the inner workings of my case! LOL.

In any event..I will let you know what happens once I get someone to do this for me as a favor. I'm starting to get the feeling I'm going to have to reinstall Windows, whether it's 98se or XP .

By the way, do you mean my sound card and video card, when you say PCI cards?

 

Something you can check while you are waiting.

Try again, this time don't worry about the Root Hub, try reinstalling the drivers for the Controller, this may mean removing the Controller drivers and rebooting. The Controller is the main feature of the USB device drivers, the Root Hub(s) run from the Controller. If you get the Controller installed correctly, then the Root Hubs will install correctly. You may need to select "I will choose the device from a list" and use the Have Disk button to search the Dell drivers disk.
Get the New Hardware wizard to search sub-folders on the "Dell Devices" disk. If Windows can find a possible compatible driver the OK button will change from "greyed-out ". There may be a system file listed in the top of the left pane, this will be the file it wants. The original USB drivers must be on the Dell disk, so try reinstalling the Controller.

Don't bother searching the Win 98 CD, it will only install standard drivers that obviously will not work.

Here's luck.

Matt

 

matt,

What 'Controller' files would I look for on the Dell CD? AND, where is the 'Controller' so I can uninstall it? I'm sorry, I'm confused..LOL

Edit --- OHH, you mean the USB Controllers that the USB Root Hub is listed under. Didn't I already uninstall everything there and let windows reinstall it? I'm assuming you want me to use the Dell CD to look for other drivers for them? The only problem is...they are working properly, so there's no option to 'update' the driver.

 

Shock, horror and LOL, you were talking about them yourself . Sorry, my mistake for not using the full terminology .

The controller will be the Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller. This is the one I think you should reinstall from the Dell CD. As I said previously, you should not need the "Standard Universal to PCI Host Controller ", that is a Windows standard driver and may only serve to corrupt the Intel/Dell drivers. Install any driver files from the Dell drivers CD, not from the Windows CD, unless Windows says "Please put the Windows 98 disk in the CD drive" (some additional standard files may be required from the Windows CD).

Matt

 

We had better stop posting and editing over ourselves ....

"This device is working properly ", I have never believed this and now I just ignore it.

Use the Update Driver button in Properties for the Controller (as you did for the Root Hub), but when you click Next, you will see "Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want "...click that radio button. When you click Next you should see a few controllers, highlight the Intel "set" and click the button "Have Disk "...start browsing the Dell Devices CD. There should be a file listed above the left pane. The right pane is for navigation. Navigate through the subfolders if you have to. If you find the correct match, the same file will appear in the list below...hit the OK button.

Let me know if you have any trouble, I do this a lot, but was in Wonderland when I first tried.

Matt