Vista - External USB drive issues

New HP Pavillion desktop that came with Vista Home Premium. HP Support is no
help here btw.

Machine has a media card reader with a USB 2.0 port on the front. Boot up
Vista, Computer sees everything with no problem (Devices with removable
storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the individual
media reader slots).

When I plug in an external USB hard drive to the front, everything is there
(USB drive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section, DVD and
Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage section).

When I plug a 2nd external USB drive to the rear of the system, all the
removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.

USB ports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify the USB ports were
working.

Any ideas?

You've either exceeded the 500 mA power limitation or the available
bandwidth of the USB controller. When this happens part of all of the
devices will seem to disappear from the system.

You can check the status in Device Manager, by opening and checking:
1.) USB controller(s), Advanced (TAB) = Shows Bandwidth usage
2.) USB Root Hub, Power (TAB) = Shows current draw

USB1(.1) devices are routed to "Standard" Hubs. USB-2.0 devices
are internally routed to a *single (Enhanced) controller.

*Newer motherboards actually provide 2 or more enhanced controllers.

"RJF" <rjf3123@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8B36EBB1-5807-44D2-BDE3-6F3276E9114B@microsoft.com...
> New HP Pavillion desktop that came with Vista Home Premium. HP Support is
> no help here btw.
>
> Machine has a media card reader with a USB 2.0 port on the front. Boot up
> Vista, Computer sees everything with no problem (Devices with removable
> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the individual
> media reader slots).
>
> When I plug in an external USB hard drive to the front, everything is
> there (USB drive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section,
> DVD and Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage
> section).
>
> When I plug a 2nd external USB drive to the rear of the system, all the
> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>
> USB ports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify the USB ports were
> working.
>
> Any ideas?

First - Thanks for the quick reply!

This points me in the right direction. I am thinking it is the 500 mA power
limitation I am bumping into here. Too bad HP support couldn't tell me
that - would have saved me hours of frustration!

Not a problem switching the USB drives in and out when I need to do
something with either of them - don't have to have both running at the same
time anyhow -


"R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:uGfjDGIbHHA.4552@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> You've either exceeded the 500 mA power limitation or the available
> bandwidth of the USB controller. When this happens part of all of the
> devices will seem to disappear from the system.
>
> You can check the status in Device Manager, by opening and checking:
> 1.) USB controller(s), Advanced (TAB) = Shows Bandwidth usage
> 2.) USB Root Hub, Power (TAB) = Shows current draw
>
> USB1(.1) devices are routed to "Standard" Hubs. USB-2.0 devices
> are internally routed to a *single (Enhanced) controller.
>
> *Newer motherboards actually provide 2 or more enhanced controllers.
>
> "RJF" <rjf3123@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:8B36EBB1-5807-44D2-BDE3-6F3276E9114B@microsoft.com...
>> New HP Pavillion desktop that came with Vista Home Premium. HP Support is
>> no help here btw.
>>
>> Machine has a media card reader with a USB 2.0 port on the front. Boot up
>> Vista, Computer sees everything with no problem (Devices with removable
>> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the individual
>> media reader slots).
>>
>> When I plug in an external USB hard drive to the front, everything is
>> there (USB drive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section,
>> DVD and Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage
>> section).
>>
>> When I plug a 2nd external USB drive to the rear of the system, all the
>> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>>
>> USB ports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
>> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify the USB ports were
>> working.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>
>

This is why people use an external self powered USB hub plugged into a wall
outlet. You don't bump into a similar limitation (well, I guess eventually
you could if you go crazy).

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User


"RJF" <rjf3123@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:B17E2BE6-0741-475B-B7DA-07E3BE47EA79@microsoft.com...
> First - Thanks for the quick reply!
>
> This points me in the right direction. I am thinking it is the 500 mA
> power limitation I am bumping into here. Too bad HP support couldn't tell
> me that - would have saved me hours of frustration!
>
> Not a problem switching the USB drives in and out when I need to do
> something with either of them - don't have to have both running at the
> same time anyhow -
>
>
> "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message
> news:uGfjDGIbHHA.4552@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> You've either exceeded the 500 mA power limitation or the available
>> bandwidth of the USB controller. When this happens part of all of the
>> devices will seem to disappear from the system.
>>
>> You can check the status in Device Manager, by opening and checking:
>> 1.) USB controller(s), Advanced (TAB) = Shows Bandwidth usage
>> 2.) USB Root Hub, Power (TAB) = Shows current draw
>>
>> USB1(.1) devices are routed to "Standard" Hubs. USB-2.0 devices
>> are internally routed to a *single (Enhanced) controller.
>>
>> *Newer motherboards actually provide 2 or more enhanced controllers.
>>
>> "RJF" <rjf3123@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:8B36EBB1-5807-44D2-BDE3-6F3276E9114B@microsoft.com...
>>> New HP Pavillion desktop that came with Vista Home Premium. HP Support
>>> is no help here btw.
>>>
>>> Machine has a media card reader with a USB 2.0 port on the front. Boot
>>> up Vista, Computer sees everything with no problem (Devices with
>>> removable storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the
>>> individual media reader slots).
>>>
>>> When I plug in an external USB hard drive to the front, everything is
>>> there (USB drive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives
>>> section, DVD and Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable
>>> Storage section).
>>>
>>> When I plug a 2nd external USB drive to the rear of the system, all the
>>> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>>>
>>> USB ports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
>>> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify the USB ports were
>>> working.
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>
>>
>

I actually have one of those and was thinking of giving it a shot ...
"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Oc5UKeIbHHA.2088@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> This is why people use an external self powered USB hub plugged into a
> wall outlet. You don't bump into a similar limitation (well, I guess
> eventually you could if you go crazy).
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban MVP
> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "RJF" <rjf3123@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:B17E2BE6-0741-475B-B7DA-07E3BE47EA79@microsoft.com...
>> First - Thanks for the quick reply!
>>
>> This points me in the right direction. I am thinking it is the 500 mA
>> power limitation I am bumping into here. Too bad HP support couldn't tell
>> me that - would have saved me hours of frustration!
>>
>> Not a problem switching the USB drives in and out when I need to do
>> something with either of them - don't have to have both running at the
>> same time anyhow -
>>
>>
>> "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message
>> news:uGfjDGIbHHA.4552@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> You've either exceeded the 500 mA power limitation or the available
>>> bandwidth of the USB controller. When this happens part of all of the
>>> devices will seem to disappear from the system.
>>>
>>> You can check the status in Device Manager, by opening and checking:
>>> 1.) USB controller(s), Advanced (TAB) = Shows Bandwidth usage
>>> 2.) USB Root Hub, Power (TAB) = Shows current draw
>>>
>>> USB1(.1) devices are routed to "Standard" Hubs. USB-2.0 devices
>>> are internally routed to a *single (Enhanced) controller.
>>>
>>> *Newer motherboards actually provide 2 or more enhanced controllers.
>>>
>>> "RJF" <rjf3123@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:8B36EBB1-5807-44D2-BDE3-6F3276E9114B@microsoft.com...
>>>> New HP Pavillion desktop that came with Vista Home Premium. HP Support
>>>> is no help here btw.
>>>>
>>>> Machine has a media card reader with a USB 2.0 port on the front. Boot
>>>> up Vista, Computer sees everything with no problem (Devices with
>>>> removable storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the
>>>> individual media reader slots).
>>>>
>>>> When I plug in an external USB hard drive to the front, everything is
>>>> there (USB drive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives
>>>> section, DVD and Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable
>>>> Storage section).
>>>>
>>>> When I plug a 2nd external USB drive to the rear of the system, all the
>>>> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>>>>
>>>> USB ports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
>>>> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify the USB ports
>>>> were working.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>>
>>
>

On Mar 22, 7:43 am, "RJF" <rjf3...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> NewHPPavillion desktop that came withVistaHome Premium.HPSupport is no
> help here btw.
>
> Machine has a media card reader with aUSB2.0 port on the front. Boot upVista, Computer sees everything with no problem (Devices with removable
> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the individual
> media reader slots).
>
> When I plug in an externalUSBhard drive to the front, everything is there
> (USBdrive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section, DVD and
> Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage section).
>
> When I plug a 2nd externalUSBdrive to the rear of the system, all the
> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>
> USBports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify theUSBports were
> working.
>
> Any ideas?

I am having the exact same problem on a HP m7658n that was upgraded to
Vista. I have tried two powered USB hubs from the back ports but they
still do not work. My card reader does not work at all. I got it back
for while by deleting all the drivers under USB and let Vista add them
back but it takes forever especially when you are using a USB mouse.
The Hauppauge 26xxx TV Tuner card will not work with Media Center in
Vista either. HP told me they were working on both issues.

<jparkes@knology.net> wrote in message
news:1174634837.254444.111870@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On Mar 22, 7:43 am, "RJF" <rjf3...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> NewHPPavillion desktop that came withVistaHome Premium.HPSupport is no
>> help here btw.
>>
>> Machine has a media card reader with aUSB2.0 port on the front. Boot upVista, Computer sees
>> everything with no problem (Devices with removable
>> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the individual
>> media reader slots).
>>
>> When I plug in an externalUSBhard drive to the front, everything is there
>> (USBdrive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section, DVD and
>> Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage section).
>>
>> When I plug a 2nd externalUSBdrive to the rear of the system, all the
>> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>>
>> USBports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
>> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify theUSBports were
>> working.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>
> I am having the exact same problem on a HP m7658n that was upgraded to
> Vista. I have tried two powered USB hubs from the back ports but they
> still do not work. My card reader does not work at all. I got it back
> for while by deleting all the drivers under USB and let Vista add them
> back but it takes forever especially when you are using a USB mouse.
> The Hauppauge 26xxx TV Tuner card will not work with Media Center in
> Vista either. HP told me they were working on both issues.

Have you applied this update?

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=925528
Reliability update for the USB stack in Windows Vista


-Michael

On Mar 23, 7:50 am, "MICHAEL" <u158627_e...@dslr.net> wrote:
> <jpar...@knology.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1174634837.254444.111870@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Mar 22, 7:43 am, "RJF" <rjf3...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> NewHPPavillion desktop that came withVistaHome Premium.HPSupport is no
> >> help here btw.
>
> >> Machine has a media card reader with aUSB2.0 port on the front. Boot upVista, Computer sees
> >> everything with no problem (Devices with removable
> >> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the individual
> >> media reader slots).
>
> >> When I plug in an externalUSBhard drive to the front, everything is there
> >> (USBdrive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section, DVD and
> >> Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage section).
>
> >> When I plug a 2nd externalUSBdrive to the rear of the system, all the
> >> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>
> >> USBports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
> >> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify theUSBports were
> >> working.
>
> >> Any ideas?
>
> > I am having the exact same problem on a HP m7658n that was upgraded to
> > Vista. I have tried two poweredUSBhubs from the back ports but they
> > still do not work. My card reader does not work at all. I got it back
> > for while by deleting all the drivers underUSBand let Vista add them
> > back but it takes forever especially when you are using aUSBmouse.
> > The Hauppauge 26xxx TV Tuner card will not work with Media Center in
> > Vista either. HP told me they were working on both issues.
>
> Have you applied this update?
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=925528
> Reliability update for theUSBstack in Windows Vista
>
> -Michael- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yes. The USB card reader still doesn't work and I still keep getting
"Unknown Device" in Device Manager and an exclamation point besides
"USB Mass Storage Device". A 2nd "USB Mass Storage Device" used to
show up when the 4 card drives worked. They do not appear under
"Drives" anymore either.

Hmmm - Windows update shows nothing about update 925528. Not sure why that
wouldn't have been picked up.

Thanks for the assist -

BTW - I now have both external USB drives working on the system (at the same
time). Using an external powered USB hub.

Thanks again all!
"JohnP" <jparkes@knology.net> wrote in message
news:1174666909.650527.168730@b75g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Mar 23, 7:50 am, "MICHAEL" <u158627_e...@dslr.net> wrote:
>> <jpar...@knology.net> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1174634837.254444.111870@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Mar 22, 7:43 am, "RJF" <rjf3...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> >> NewHPPavillion desktop that came withVistaHome Premium.HPSupport is no
>> >> help here btw.
>>
>> >> Machine has a media card reader with aUSB2.0 port on the front. Boot
>> >> upVista, Computer sees
>> >> everything with no problem (Devices with removable
>> >> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the
>> >> individual
>> >> media reader slots).
>>
>> >> When I plug in an externalUSBhard drive to the front, everything is
>> >> there
>> >> (USBdrive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section, DVD
>> >> and
>> >> Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage section).
>>
>> >> When I plug a 2nd externalUSBdrive to the rear of the system, all the
>> >> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>>
>> >> USBports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
>> >> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify theUSBports were
>> >> working.
>>
>> >> Any ideas?
>>
>> > I am having the exact same problem on a HP m7658n that was upgraded to
>> > Vista. I have tried two poweredUSBhubs from the back ports but they
>> > still do not work. My card reader does not work at all. I got it back
>> > for while by deleting all the drivers underUSBand let Vista add them
>> > back but it takes forever especially when you are using aUSBmouse.
>> > The Hauppauge 26xxx TV Tuner card will not work with Media Center in
>> > Vista either. HP told me they were working on both issues.
>>
>> Have you applied this update?
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=925528
>> Reliability update for theUSBstack in Windows Vista
>>
>> -Michael- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Yes. The USB card reader still doesn't work and I still keep getting
> "Unknown Device" in Device Manager and an exclamation point besides
> "USB Mass Storage Device". A 2nd "USB Mass Storage Device" used to
> show up when the 4 card drives worked. They do not appear under
> "Drives" anymore either.
>

On Mar 23, 1:37 pm, "RJF" <rjf3...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hmmm - Windows update shows nothing about update 925528. Not sure why that
> wouldn't have been picked up.
>
> Thanks for the assist -
>
> BTW - I now have both external USB drives working on the system (at the same
> time). Using an external powered USB hub.
>
> Thanks again all!"JohnP" <jpar...@knology.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1174666909.650527.168730@b75g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Mar 23, 7:50 am, "MICHAEL" <u158627_e...@dslr.net> wrote:
> >> <jpar...@knology.net> wrote in message
>
> >>news:1174634837.254444.111870@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
> >> > On Mar 22, 7:43 am, "RJF" <rjf3...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >> NewHPPavillion desktop that came withVistaHome Premium.HPSupport is no
> >> >> help here btw.
>
> >> >> Machine has a media card reader with aUSB2.0 port on the front. Boot
> >> >> upVista, Computer sees
> >> >> everything with no problem (Devices with removable
> >> >> storage shows DVD drive and Removable Drives F through J (the
> >> >> individual
> >> >> media reader slots).
>
> >> >> When I plug in an externalUSBhard drive to the front, everything is
> >> >> there
> >> >> (USBdrive shows up as Local Disk K: under the Hard Drives section, DVD
> >> >> and
> >> >> Drives F Through J under the Devices With Removable Storage section).
>
> >> >> When I plug a 2nd externalUSBdrive to the rear of the system, all the
> >> >> removable drives go bye-bye with the exception of the DVD.
>
> >> >> USBports in the back of the system are ok, I have a printer plugged in
> >> >> there and have moved that from slot to slot to verify theUSBports were
> >> >> working.
>
> >> >> Any ideas?
>
> >> > I am having the exact same problem on a HP m7658n that was upgraded to
> >> > Vista. I have tried two poweredUSBhubs from the back ports but they
> >> > still do not work. My card reader does not work at all. I got it back
> >> > for while by deleting all the drivers underUSBand let Vista add them
> >> > back but it takes forever especially when you are using aUSBmouse.
> >> > The Hauppauge 26xxx TV Tuner card will not work with Media Center in
> >> > Vista either. HP told me they were working on both issues.
>
> >> Have you applied this update?
>
> >>http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=925528
> >> Reliability update for theUSBstack in Windows Vista
>
> >> -Michael- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Yes. The USB card reader still doesn't work and I still keep getting
> > "Unknown Device" in Device Manager and an exclamation point besides
> > "USB Mass Storage Device". A 2nd "USB Mass Storage Device" used to
> > show up when the 4 card drives worked. They do not appear under
> > "Drives" anymore either.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Are your Card Reader slots also working? I am on a chat with HP right
now concerning the TV Tuner. He has me running "upgradeassistant.exe"
from the HP upgrade CD, then install patch sp26950.exe 1/1 (1.76M) ,
then RESET Media Center by following the third direction at
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/g...reg_R1002_USEN