USB 2.0 Device (iPod) only onnecting at 1.1

**stokestack** · January 12th, 2007, 12:24 AM

This is likely a Service Pack 2 defect. I had never seen this message on my system, in years of usage with XP Pro, SP1. Today I wiped the system and did a clean install of XP Pro with SP2, and now most USB devices provoke a "USB device not recognized" message when plugged in. We're talking simple things like keyboard, mouse, thumbdrive.

It wasn't just one system, either. I encountered the same thing on a Mac Mini running Boot Camp.

So far an hour on the phone with Microsoft hasn't solved it. It's pretty clear that it's a major defect in SP2, but the question is how it has persisted this long and why aren't more people raising more hell.

**NooNoo** · January 17th, 2007, 07:38 AM

Because it's pretty rare! Many of these messages are due to not loading the correct or updated motherboard drivers. Sometimes (as with via and ali) an extra patch is needed. In the case of laptops, firmware or bios updates are needed. They are usually made available very quickly if a problem is discovered. Have you looked at USBMAN.com?

**stokestack** · January 18th, 2007, 06:34 PM

I'm not sure it's so rare. I find fairly plentiful references to it in Web searches. And I did apply a BIOS update.

Thanks for the USBMan tip, however. As it turns out, there is an XP SP2 "hotfix" from MS for USB devices not being detected through hubs. It is doubly annoying to find this after spending an hour on the phone with a support person, and to find that the fix is not downloadable from the Knowledge Base article. It talks about it, and then they force you to call Microsoft and waste your time waiting for them. Their official recommendation is to "wait for the next Windows XP service pack." FAT DAMNED CHANCE. It was what, a year or two between service packs? Meanwhile, no USB devices?

Offensive, to say the least.

**NooNoo** · January 19th, 2007, 07:38 AM

OK, the hotfix problem is something that no one is happy with, least of all Microsoft. Hotfixes are only released as downloadable when they are sure they don't break more than they fix. They will only let you have the hotfix if they are sure there is no other way because otherwise you will be moaning that ms broke your computer.

Offensive? no, cautious yes. A little more understanding of the whole problem is needed.

**dak1640** · January 20th, 2007, 10:10 PM

OK, I have solved this problem with USB 2.0....I am an engineer and after experiencing it myself & reading 1,000,000 posts etc; I have finally found the answer.

Evidently the USB connectors oxidize after time. This added resistance causes a feedback loop downgrading the USB port to 1.1 The simple fix is to take your wife's (or mom's) emery file and clean the contacts on both the thinkpad and the USB cable you are plugging in. Viola !!!!!

**NooNoo** · January 21st, 2007, 04:44 AM

Welcome to Windrivers dak1640

Could you post again explaining that an emery board is non conductive and that using the metal nail file in your multipurpose tool will fry the motherboard?

**dak1640** · January 21st, 2007, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by NooNoo

Welcome to Windrivers dak1640

Could you post again explaining that an emery board is non conductive and that using the metal nail file in your multipurpose tool will fry the motherboard?

Thanks for the warm welcome...Yes an Emery board is non-conductive, just remember to blow out the dust and such after cleaning. This is perhaps the best tool. A metal nail file is not recommended, but would suffice in a pinch. It would likely remove too much material and the shavings would be conductive, where an Emery file or fine sand paper would not be a problem.
Enjoy your USB 2.0 Speed once again...

**Balihai** · January 27th, 2007, 10:37 PM

Well, not being an engineer but into trying to figure things out, I tried the emory board thing a while back without success. I also tried using some head/contact cleaner and it did not work either. Regardless of all the very good ideas, I think I wish I still had warranty and that I could get ibm to replace the moboard on the T40p. Does anyone know of anyone who had success getting a moboard replaced for free outside of warranty b/c this seems to be a manufacturing defect?

**NooNoo** · January 28th, 2007, 02:46 AM

Welcome to Windrivers Balihai

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get a pcmcia usb 2.0 card? That's got to be cheaper than the phone calls and shipping even if they did replace the motherboard!

**Balihai** · January 28th, 2007, 04:26 PM

Hi,
Yes, a cardbus usb is a clear and cheap way to get working USB 2.0 but I use the docking station to connect everything for the sake of convenience. I am bidding on usb cardbus currently. If I can find a way to get the system board replaced under the conditions that the manufacturing was faulty and that this is a known problem then I want it.

Do you know how to extract a motherboard replacement from lenovo for no cost? Any thoughts?

Another question: One of the posts says that the user taps the back/bottom of his Thinkpad T4x and the usb speed then throttles back to usb 1.0 speeds, indicating a hardware/motherboard problem. Mine does the same thing. Another post says an IBM technician told the poster that dust gets on the motherboard and causes a short between two resisters causing usb throttling problems? If that is so, has anyone tried to remove the cowling etc and give the mother board a proper dusting or is it actually requiring a repair/replacement?

Thanks,
John

**NooNoo** · January 29th, 2007, 07:13 AM

You need to discuss this with IBM/Lenovo support.

Your other question needs to be posted in the laptops forum, you are likely to get a better response.