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USB ports failing

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by abnewallo, 2008/03/13.

  1. 2008/03/13
    abnewallo Lifetime Subscription

    abnewallo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I am having difficulties getting my scanner to be recognised through the usb ports on my laptop.

    The usb ports seem to work fine for my flash drives and mouse connections but when i connect the scanner the find hardware wizard never senses the scanner.

    Is there any way to test those ports?
     
    abnewallo,
    #1
  2. 2008/03/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If your flash drives are recognised there is unlikely to be a problem with the ports.

    You can delete all the USB controllers and root hubs in Device Manager and reboot to allow Windows to detect them again and load the drivers.

    Is this a USB powered scanner?

    Have you loaded the scanner software - if so I would try reloading it.

    Try the scanner on another computer if available and confirm that it works OK.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2008/03/13
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    What OS are you using and how old is the scanner?
     
    Steve R Jones,
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  5. 2008/03/13
    abnewallo Lifetime Subscription

    abnewallo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Windows XP
    Scanner is about four years old.

    I have noticed that with the flash drives it takes a long time to transfer files.

    The scanner is working okay on other machines.
     
    abnewallo,
    #4
  6. 2008/03/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If your laptop has USB 1 ports this is to be expected - USB 2 is 40x faster.

    In Device Manager under USB if there is no Enhanced controller then you only have USB 1.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2008/03/14
    abnewallo Lifetime Subscription

    abnewallo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I have USB 2.

    I believe I have a problem now because they were worked better in the past.

    I was wondering if there is some utility to test the ports.

    Thanks
     
    abnewallo,
    #6
  8. 2008/03/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  9. 2008/03/14
    abnewallo Lifetime Subscription

    abnewallo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I have made some headway with the installation of the scanner. Let me explain.

    The scanner normally would ask for the software to be installed before connecting the scanner with the usb cable; and that was where the problems started because when the scanner was connected the find hardware wizard did not recognise the scanner and install the drivers.

    I noticed that when I connected and disonnected the usb cable for the scanner the laptop did generate the sound alert it usually gives. Therefore I surmised that at some level the laptop was recognising the scanner.

    I then started the add hardware wizard and intially it did not find any new devices. I continued through the wizard and noticed the scanner showing up in the listing of hardware; but it had a question mark. I selected the scanner and the system installed the drivers for it.

    I have tested the scanner and it appears to be working properly.

    My question is why wasn't the software installed the first time the scanner was attached.
     
    abnewallo,
    #8
  10. 2008/03/14
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Guessing that you are referring to software on a cd that requires human being to insert into pc prior to plugging in the scanner...Me thinks human forgot.:confused:
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #9
  11. 2008/03/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    And as I posted #2 ....
    ;)
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2008/03/14
    abnewallo Lifetime Subscription

    abnewallo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    At this point I wish that the problem could so easily be explained as being due to human error, but unfortunately it is not to be.

    When the Add New Hardware wizard ran it found the software from my previous installation.

    Does it make sense pursuing this any further. I guess if there is machine failure it would deteriorate to a really poor stae eventually and there wouldn't be any question.

    Thanks a lot for your assistance.
     
    abnewallo,
    #11
  13. 2008/03/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I think it is your current perception that the ports are running slower and there is really no way to prove that. For your own peace of mind I would uninstall the USB controllers and root hubs as I posted earlier and just see if that makes any perceptible difference. It will do no harm and is standard practice with USB problems.

    With regard to the scanner it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installing. Generally the software is installed first before the scanner is connected. That way the drivers are in place when the scanner is plugged in and should be recognised immediately.

    If you have scanner software installed from a previous scanner you no longer use I would uninstall it to avoid possible conflicts.
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2008/03/14
    abnewallo Lifetime Subscription

    abnewallo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you Pete.

    I would have to consider this case close.

    Thanks to all.
     
    abnewallo,
    #13

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