USB/HID-compliant causes game glitching

I am unable to play three different games (Lego Indian Jones, Lego Star Wars, and Kane and Lynch) because as the game starts I repeatively hear the USB connect/disconnect sound every couple of seconds. Now it is not the sound that makes the games unplayable, rather, the games glitch/pause (video/sound/control) corresponding with the connect/disconnect event.

I am using the Logitech Wave keyboard/mouse combo and a Logitech cordless rumble 2 connected via USB. If I disconnect all input USB devices and use PS/2 devices the games work smooth and perfectly. If I use a wired USB MS Intellipoint mouse (no other USB devices connected) the connect/disconnect issue is present.

I have updated all my drivers (video/MB/Inputs/Vistax64, etc.).

I have noticed in the Device Manager that there seems to be a new HID-compliant device added for every connect/disconnect event.

Other games do not have this issue (I often here the connect/disconnect on begining of a games intro screen but never again during the game), this includes: Crysis, Assasins Creed, Grid, Call of Duty 4, and Gears of War.

I have been searching the net for 2 weeks now and I can't seem to find anyone with this issue or a solution. HELP!

Vista Ultimate x64
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P
Corsair DDR2 800 8GB (4 x 2GB)
Zotac 8800 GT 512MB
2 - 160GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA2 RAID 1

Have you tried giving the USB devices a good "reaming?" Do you have other USB ports you could attach them to to see if the same errors occur?

Does not matter what USB port the device is connected to.

Have you tried either re-installing the Logitech drivers or just using the Windows default USB drivers for these devices?

Yes, I have tried uninstalling and re-installing the Logitech drivers and tried utilizing Logitech devices with Vista driver's.

Please note that I tried this also with MS Intellipoint mouse (wired USB) with the same effect (with and with out Logitech drivers installed).

It's really very odd that this would occur in these 3 games and these 3 only. You'd think that if it were an issue with your USB ports and that the board was defective that you'd get hit across the board no matter what you tried to do; these USB devices would connect and disconnect whether you were playing games, surfing the internet or writing up some Word doc?

How new is the motherboard?

All of the hardware was purchased in Feb. 2008.

I know it is strange that those games have the anomaly occur. I keep wondering if it is a programming error in the games... maybe a dirextX 10 conflict or x64 conflict or a HID-compliant conflict.

Like I said originally all games work great with a PS/2 mouse and keyboard. But that doesn't work so well with an HTPC setup... I even bought a MS wireless mouse/keyboard (which I just returned) and it performed the same anomaly as any other USB input device (wired or wireless)!!!

I have thought about the power supply but I really don't think I need more than the Antec Earthwatts 500W supply that's in there (the only thing missing from my original posting for hardware is that there is a total of 4 SATA2 harddrives, 1 SATA2 DVD burner, and 4 80mm fans). I have also wondered if it could be a conflict with my Silverstone case (has LCD display and card reader built in), but I have not tracked down those devices in the device manager yet...

Could you list your hardware, please? 500 W may not be enough for sustained activity and it could very well be that PSU is getting underpowered, though I honestly doubt it as your biggest draw should be CPU and GPU, so I'd expect artifacts and other GPU based failures *first* - but stranger things have happened.

@johngalt

Hardware was listed in the beginning of the thread (copied again here... not sure how to add it as a "signature" to all postings like yours...)

USB/HID-compliant causes game glitching
I am unable to play three different games (Lego Indian Jones, Lego Star Wars, and Kane and Lynch) because as the game starts I repeatively hear the USB connect/disconnect sound every couple of seconds. Now it is not the sound that makes the games unplayable, rather, the games glitch/pause (video/sound/control) corresponding with the connect/disconnect event.

I am using the Logitech Wave keyboard/mouse combo and a Logitech cordless rumble 2 connected via USB. If I disconnect all input USB devices and use PS/2 devices the games work smooth and perfectly. If I use a wired USB MS Intellipoint mouse (no other USB devices connected) the connect/disconnect issue is present.

I have updated all my drivers (video/MB/Inputs/Vistax64, etc.).

I have noticed in the Device Manager that there seems to be a new HID-compliant device added for every connect/disconnect event.

Other games do not have this issue (I often here the connect/disconnect on begining of a games intro screen but never again during the game), this includes: Crysis, Assasins Creed, Grid, Call of Duty 4, and Gears of War.

I have been searching the net for 2 weeks now and I can't seem to find anyone with this issue or a solution. HELP!

Vista Ultimate x64
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P
Corsair DDR2 800 8GB (4 x 2GB)
Zotac 8800 GT 512MB
2 - 160GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA2 RAID 1
1 - 500GB SATA2 SpinPoint T series
1 - 320GB SATA2 WD
4 - Thermaltake 80mm fans
1 - Silverstone GD01B-MXR case
1 - ASUS 20x DVD+/-R DRW-2014L1T

BigRod said:

I have thought about the power supply but I really don't think I need more than the Antec Earthwatts 500W supply that's in there (the only thing missing from my original posting for hardware is that there is a total of 4 SATA2 harddrives, 1 SATA2 DVD burner, and 4 80mm fans). I have also wondered if it could be a conflict with my Silverstone case (has LCD display and card reader built in), but I have not tracked down those devices in the device manager yet...

Click to expand...

It's possible? You only have 17 amps on +12V2 to power the card and all your other devices. Doubtful since this seems to be USB specific, but still within the realm of possibility. Are these demanding games?

I can try moving rails and unpluging devices and seeing if it is the power supply, won'[t be for a few days though... other thoughts?? I think it is unlikely that Lego Indian Jones is more intensive then Crysis or COD4!!! (I have also tried running the problematic games at lowest settings with no change in anomaly...)

"moving rails" isn't something you're able to do because rails aren't leads. No matter how you switch around the leads you'll always have one rail for the cpu and another for the rest of the machine. The problem isn't the leads or the manner in which they're attached, it's the amperage per rail. 17 amps is all you have to power your devices, including the hungry graphics card. Taking components out will let you know, but don't needlessly start rewiring the machine.

Ok, I can try removing everything but the RAID, MB, proc. fan and seeing how that runs but won't be until Monday... Other suggestions? Other resources to try and find answers? different forums? etc.

What other games besides these 3 problematic ones do you play? If any of them are more demanding, then you can rule a lot of things out; specifically, the PSU.

My suspicion, based on nothing more than a hunch, is that you just got a bad board and should RMA it. That the games work with your PS/2 ports but not with your USB ports indicates that there's some defect in the board... at least that's my hunch.

I'd tell you to seek out the Gigabyte forums and see if other's have had this issue, but I doubt you'll find satisfaction as this seems like a one-in-a million type deal?

I have played COD4, Crysis, Assasin's Creed, and Grid with no problem. (All of which I would guess are more intensive than Lego Indy, star wars, or Kane and lynch...)

It seems unlikely that a hardware fault (i.e. MB) would be the cause if USB anomaly is not present in some games but is in others. (I use by USB wireless Logitech Rumble pad 2 for Grid for hours on end with no problem... though I hear the connect disconnect sound during the games beginning logos...)

This just screams software conflict to me... I wish someone could tell me there is something in common with the games I am having the problem with... I read a post (by googling, not in these forums) about someone who had problems with F.E.A.R and HID-compliant devices and nvidia... but there was not a lot of detail there...

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The other common problem is that laptop systems will attempt to compress the traditional version of the standard 101-function keyboard (found on almost all desktop systems) into a much smaller keyboard configuration. This is usually done by relying on multifunction keys that allow the user to assign different functions to the same key. Unfortunately, this has been known to cause problems with our games[/FONT]

Click to expand...

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men - Minimum System Requirements - Powered By Kayako SupportSuite

Not sure if it'll help, but here's a lead you might be able to track? First I've ever heard of such a problem.

I'm sure you've tried all this, but I'll post it anyway on the off chance you haven't?

Unfortunately, some games were not designed to run on Windows Vista and therefore we cannot support running it on this platform. You may be able to get it to work by running it in compatibility mode for Windows XP (see steps below) but we cannot guarantee that even this will work.
1. Locate the games program icon in the installation folder or shortcut on the desktop.
2. Right-click on the icon, select ‘Properties’, and then click on the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
3. Check the "Run program in compatibility mode" box and select ‘Windows XP (service pack 2)’ for the mode.
4. Click on ‘Apply’, and then ‘OK’ to close the window and try launching the game.
If you are not logged in as an administrator of the PC you may wish to tick the "Run this program as an administrator" box also.

Click to expand...

http://support.eidosinteractive.com...base&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=612&nav=0,983

My game is pausing for a few seconds during play and I have an extended feature USB keyboard. What can I do?

If you are experiencing the game pausing for a few seconds during play and you are using a USB keyboard which has extended features e.g. media control, scroll wheel etc. The problem may lie with the way windows 'polls' or checks this USB device on your system.

We have been informed that changing the USB connector to a PS/2 connector can solve the problem or using an alternative keyboard will stop windows from pausing your game every few seconds.

You may want to make sure that you have the latest motherboard drivers installed as these usually include updates for the USB hub which could be at the root of the problem.

If your keyboard comes with specific drivers, it would be best to make sure you have downloaded and installed the latest drivers from your keyboard manufacturer's website.

Click to expand...

http://support.eidosinteractive.com...a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=626&nav=0,1020,1021

lol, just been at the Kane and Lynch forums, boy, that game sure has its fair share of issues. http://forums.eidosgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=250

Thanks for the digging... I was wondering if the compatibility mode come over to vista. I try these if I get that far...

I have progress... I disconnected every thing but the RAID 1, cpu fan and dvd drive from the supply. I also unplugged the USB headers on the MB for the LCD, USB, and card reader on the front panel. I also un plugged the audio header for the front panel... And Lego Indy played without the anomaly!!

Starting to work my way backwards now... starting by plugging in everythin BUT the front panel stuff (i.e. all the stuff plugged to power supply..)

I'll keep you posted...

Lego Indy runs without anomaly when all devices are powered off power supply... so the logical question is what on the front panel is causing the conflict and why?
1. USB/1394 ports
2. card reader
3. lcd
4. front audio

^ look up at that last edit. Apparently yours is a known issue with Kane and Lynch and you have already found at least one "fix".

**edit**

About the Lego game... well, lol, I'm not seeing the attraction, so my motivation for digging through their support forums is... mild ... so perhaps you can take over where I left off. I didn't see a search feature; perhaps it's there if you register? I would, but then I'd be registered at Lego, and well, my nephew doesn't even play with Legos anymore.
http://forums.lucasarts.com/forum.jspa?forumID=110&start=25

I have now narrowed the issue down to a conflict with the VFD/IR display module built into my Silverstone case. If I plug it into any of the USB headers on the Gigabyte MB and try and run the problem games I get the anomaly. I have tried to disable the iMon software before running the games with no success.

So my question, is there a means of troubleshooting this hardware conflict? Can I track down a BIOS setting or device manager setting to elminate the conflict?


Vista Ultimate x64
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P
Corsair DDR2 800 8GB (4 x 2GB)
Zotac 8800 GT 512MB
2 - 160GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA2 RAID 1
1 - 500GB SATA2 SpinPoint T series
1 - 320GB SATA2 WD
4 - Thermaltake 80mm fans
1 - Silverstone GD01B-MXR case
1 - ASUS 20x DVD+/-R DRW-2014L1T