Only one of many USB

I know there's a solution to this problem, just can't find it.

Scanner plugged into single USB port on back of PC, works fine. Nothing else plugged into that port will work, nor any other post. I have not had a cnace to test the USB ports on the front of the PC with the scanner, as my frfriend just called me, and I told him I'd be rounnd this afternoon. I think the scanner driver has co-opted all the USB ports (or was this just an urban legend, as I don't think I've ever actaully seen it happen, come to think of it...).

BTW if this is simply a case of USB ports on the front not being connected, I will let you know when I get there, but my undnerstanding is that they were working fine before isntallation of the scanner.

 

Ryder--You have posted in the Win98 forum. Win98, especially First Edition, had only limited USB capability. Are you sure the other devices can work with Win98? Have they ever worked on this PC in the past? Even if Win98 can support USB, I think it is only USB1.1. Again these devices may require USB2.0, thought usually USB devices will work with USB1.1 but slowly.
Did you install USB drivers for the other devices? Normal installation of a USB device is to install drivers from installation CD before even plugging in or turning on the device.
Just an outside chance that those USB ports are not powered and only the scanner is able to operate with the power that the PC, itself, can supply.
You could buy a powered USB hub and see if that will help.
Or go into Device Manager to see if the USB Controllers are working properly.
"Open Device Manager.
Double-click Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Right-click the entry for your USB host controller, and then click Properties.
Look in the Device status box to see if it mentions any problems with the device, and then click OK.
Click USB Root Hub, and then repeat steps for this device.

To open Device Manager, right click My Computer|Properties

 

Hi Jim,

The PC is W98SE, and the ports are working fine now - except for one, but I think that's most likely a problem with the physical port. It detects when Items are inserted, but doesn't actually access them. PLenty of other ports, so not a serious problem.

I am having a problem with an HP scanner tho - it was working fine, then stopped responding. I tried unplugging and re-plugging it, I trtied uninstaling the software and re-installing it. I even went into the registry, and deleted every mention of HP scanner I could find. This had the most success, as after doing this, reinstalling the software, pwoering down, connecting the sacner again, and powering up again, windows adds new hardware. However, the scanning program that came with the scanner still fails to find it.

Did I mention how much I *HATE* HP? they are too frikkin lazy to write proper software. Anyone else, no problem, but any HP USB, and you are going to have a headache. GRRRRRRRRRR.......