USB comms problem

[Pete L]

I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
working properly.

So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
laptop.

 

[Pete L]

On 25 May, 20:05, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
> >I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
> >four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
> >car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
> >lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
> >Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
> >a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
> >by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
> >a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
> >for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
> >please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
> >still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
> >on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
> >working properly.
>
> >So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
> >device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
> >try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
> >tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
> >the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
> >happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
> >laptop.
>
> See if installing the Intel Chipset Software helps any:http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=10884
>
> Otherwise, see if there's a BIOS update for your model. Let me know
> how it goes.
>
> - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

Thanks - I have tried the download of Intel Chipset Software - no
effect unfortunately........ I'll just have a look at a BIOS update.
What I do not understand is even if my drivers etc are out of date,if
something worked happily before and there is no change why should it
suddenly fail. Software doesn't go 'off' with age?

 

[Elmo]

Pete L wrote:
> I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
> four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
> car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
> lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
> Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
> a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
> by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
> a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
> for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
> please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
> still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
> on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
> working properly.
>
> So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
> device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
> try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
> tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
> the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
> happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
> laptop.

Open Device Manager, disable the power saving feature under the
properties of each "USB Root Hub" entry.

--
Joe =o)

 

[Pete L]

On 25 May, 21:12, Elmo <elmog...@xxx.invalid> wrote:
> Pete L wrote:
> > I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
> > four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
> > car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
> > lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
> > Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
> > a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
> > by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
> > a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
> > for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
> > please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
> > still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
> > on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
> > working properly.
>
> > So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
> > device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
> > try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
> > tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
> > the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
> > happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
> > laptop.
>
> Open Device Manager, disable the power saving feature under the
> properties of each "USB Root Hub" entry.
>
> --
> Joe   =o)

Nope - all were ticked and I have now disabled but no change.....

 

[Elmo]

Pete L wrote:
> On 25 May, 21:12, Elmo <elmog...@xxx.invalid> wrote:
>> Pete L wrote:
>>> I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
>>> four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
>>> car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
>>> lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
>>> Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
>>> a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
>>> by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
>>> a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
>>> for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
>>> please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
>>> still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
>>> on my wife's laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
>>> working properly.
>>> So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
>>> device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
>>> try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
>>> tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
>>> the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
>>> happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
>>> laptop.
>> Open Device Manager, disable the power saving feature under the
>> properties of each "USB Root Hub" entry.
>>
>> --
>> Joe =o)
>
> Nope - all were ticked and I have now disabled but no change.

If all is well after a reboot, turning off power saving, followed by a
reboot, should prevent them from losing connection to the devices during
standby, or sleep mode.

Perhaps the ports are bad.. Here are some other things to try:

USB Help sites:
http://www.usbman.com/WinME USB Guide.htm

General USB troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575

Troubleshooting for USB drives
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html

Or here
http://www.everythingusb.com/aboutus/

--
Joe =o)

 

[Pete L]

On 25 May, 22:52, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
> >On 25 May, 20:05, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
> >> >I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
> >> >four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
> >> >car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
> >> >lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
> >> >Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
> >> >a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
> >> >by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
> >> >a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
> >> >for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
> >> >please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
> >> >still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
> >> >on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
> >> >working properly.
>
> >> >So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
> >> >device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
> >> >try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
> >> >tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
> >> >the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
> >> >happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
> >> >laptop.
>
> >> See if installing the Intel Chipset Software helps any:http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=10884
>
> >> Otherwise, see if there's a BIOS update for your model. Let me know
> >> how it goes.
>
> >> - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
>
> >Thanks - I have tried the download of Intel Chipset Software - no
> >effect unfortunately........  I'll just have a look at a BIOS update.
> >What I do not understand is even if my drivers etc are out of date,if
> >something worked happily before and there is no change why should it
> >suddenly fail. Software doesn't go 'off' with age?
>
> Try disabling USB Selective Suspend. Save the below info to a .reg
> file and import it into your registry. BY the way, you are on SP3,
> right?
>
> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usb]
> "DisableSelectiveSuspend"=dword:00000001
>
> This information comes from:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902274
>
> - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

Just a quick reply - I figured that if there is a USB port that is
damaged then (I have 3 on th elaptop) try the one that has the working
mouse in. Still the same - PC does not recognise my weather station
USB plug in. I am in SP3. I'll have a try at your suggestion of
disabling USB Selective Suspend......

 

[Pete L]

On 26 May, 09:48, Pete L <peterlaving...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On 25 May, 22:52, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
>
>
>
> > >On 25 May, 20:05, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
> > >> >I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
> > >> >four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
> > >> >car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out and I
> > >> >lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well..
> > >> >Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I also have
> > >> >a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
> > >> >by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
> > >> >a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
> > >> >for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
> > >> >please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
> > >> >still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
> > >> >on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that is not
> > >> >working properly.
>
> > >> >So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothingin
> > >> >device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
> > >> >try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
> > >> >tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have gotto
> > >> >the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
> > >> >happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
> > >> >laptop.
>
> > >> See if installing the Intel Chipset Software helps any:http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=10884
>
> > >> Otherwise, see if there's a BIOS update for your model. Let me know
> > >> how it goes.
>
> > >> - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
>
> > >Thanks - I have tried the download of Intel Chipset Software - no
> > >effect unfortunately........  I'll just have a look at a BIOS update..
> > >What I do not understand is even if my drivers etc are out of date,if
> > >something worked happily before and there is no change why should it
> > >suddenly fail. Software doesn't go 'off' with age?
>
> > Try disabling USB Selective Suspend. Save the below info to a .reg
> > file and import it into your registry. BY the way, you are on SP3,
> > right?
>
> > Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
> > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usb]
> > "DisableSelectiveSuspend"=dword:00000001
>
> > This information comes from:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902274
>
> > - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
>
> Just a quick reply - I figured that if there is a USB port that is
> damaged then (I have 3 on th elaptop) try the one that has the working
> mouse in. Still the same - PC does not recognise my weather station
> USB plug in. I am in SP3. I'll have a try at your suggestion of
> disabling USB Selective Suspend......

Disable Selective Suspend - found it ok and it is already set to 1
(Suspended)?

 

[Pete L]

On 26 May, 09:59, Pete L <peterlaving...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On 26 May, 09:48, Pete L <peterlaving...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On 25 May, 22:52, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
>
> > > >On 25 May, 20:05, "Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]" <.@.> wrote:
> > > >> >I have a Sony Vaio laptop VGN-FE38gp running WinXP Pro. It's about
> > > >> >four years old now and is coming up with various problems (like an old
> > > >> >car). From time to time the light on the WLAN keeps going out andI
> > > >> >lose the Internet on wireless. The cure is a reboot and all is well.
> > > >> >Ok, so perhaps a loose connection in the wireless adaptor. I alsohave
> > > >> >a little weather station running. The module picks up the latest info
> > > >> >by wireless and it is then connected to my laptop by USB and it gives
> > > >> >a display and I am able to download historic data. After working fine
> > > >> >for six months it has suddenly decided to say 'device not found -
> > > >> >please plug in device'. I have deleted and reloaded the driver but it
> > > >> >still doesn't recognise my weather station. I have tried the station
> > > >> >on my wifes' laptop and it works fine. So, it's my laptop that isnot
> > > >> >working properly.
>
> > > >> >So, there is something wrong. I have checked everything and nothing in
> > > >> >device manager shows anything wrong. Can anybody suggest what I might
> > > >> >try next to find out what is wrong? Is there any software that might
> > > >> >tell me? Is it worth taking my laptop to a repair place? I have got to
> > > >> >the point now of thinking about getting a new PC but I would be far
> > > >> >happier to know exactly what is wrong and to fix the problem in this
> > > >> >laptop.
>
> > > >> See if installing the Intel Chipset Software helps any:http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=10884
>
> > > >> Otherwise, see if there's a BIOS update for your model. Let me know
> > > >> how it goes.
>
> > > >> - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
>
> > > >Thanks - I have tried the download of Intel Chipset Software - no
> > > >effect unfortunately........  I'll just have a look at a BIOS update.
> > > >What I do not understand is even if my drivers etc are out of date,if
> > > >something worked happily before and there is no change why should it
> > > >suddenly fail. Software doesn't go 'off' with age?
>
> > > Try disabling USB Selective Suspend. Save the below info to a .reg
> > > file and import it into your registry. BY the way, you are on SP3,
> > > right?
>
> > > Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
> > > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usb]
> > > "DisableSelectiveSuspend"=dword:00000001
>
> > > This information comes from:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902274
>
> > > - Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
>
> > Just a quick reply - I figured that if there is a USB port that is
> > damaged then (I have 3 on th elaptop) try the one that has the working
> > mouse in. Still the same - PC does not recognise my weather station
> > USB plug in. I am in SP3. I'll have a try at your suggestion of
> > disabling USB Selective Suspend......
>
> Disable Selective Suspend - found it ok and it is already set to 1
> (Suspended)?

Just got on to the company who supply my wetaher station. They talked
me through changing the data input from USB to serial. It worked fine
then. So, although I am happy that my weather machine is working ok on
my laptop now I'd still like to know why and if there is any reason it
suddenly refused to work using USB. Also is this a sign that perhaps
my laptop is on it's way out?