MSI KT4VL problems

[Ardan]

Well I posted about this twice over a 3 month period in the main one, but I realized I should post in the motherboard section instead . Well I have had this motherboard since probably December and it was flawless up until now. Over the past 2 months, it started having troubles with the USB ports. No matter which one I plugged my Logitech Dual Optical mouseman into, the device would stop working. The light to the mouse would still be on, and the laser on...but the mouse was inoperable. I don't think any USB devices worked regardless of that they had power. So I figured it was a software problem. Right? Well, I don't know. I bought a new Seagate HDD and wiped out my drives (backing up mp3s n stuff of course) and reinstalled Windows XP Pro. It still did this, so I switched to my backup mouse, the MS IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0a. It didn't do it for a while, but then it started doing that again with a totally different mouse.

I then realized that USB detection in any linux distribution I would test, it took a LONG time to do. Longer than it ever should...and sometimes, the USB detection would completely hang the installation. I do a lot of work with USB ports so it is essential to solve this problem by summer's end. Does this sound like my USB ports became defective over time somehow? If so, should I try and get my money back and get an nForce2 board instead? I'm not sure what path I should take, or if I should get it exchanged for a different MSI KT400-based board (if possible).

 

[DieHardware]

Are you overclocking?

 

[Ardan]

No, I am not overclocking.

I really can't explain it. It happened totally out of no where. Just *BAM* and here I am.

 

[DieHardware]

Have you tried the latest VIA USB2 driver? I've got a Logitech blue optical mouse running fine with one of these boards and winXPpro.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Ardan
No, I am not overclocking.

I really can't explain it. It happened totally out of no where. Just *BAM* and here I am.

Maybe the USB controller is going bad? Why not email MSI tech support about the issue and see what they say.

As an alternative you could try a PCI board for USB support. If it works perfectly you know the onboard controller is shot.

I have used this board many times for customers and it works great.

 

[Ardan]

Nothing against the board. I love the board, its just this USB is a pain in the ass. If nothing seems to work, I could always exchange it for the exact same item. I always go with MSI boards, and I will stay with them regardless of if the USB controller is shot. I suppose I could get a PCI card, but I'm just going to wait it out for now. I don't have a job, and the fall semester is coming up (ack!) :S.
DieHardware, I suppose I could always try that again. Who knows, maybe there's a newer USB2 driver than what I had. I suppose I could always use this as an excuse to buy a Logitech MX500 as well .

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Ardan
Nothing against the board. I love the board, its just this USB is a pain in the ass. If nothing seems to work, I could always exchange it for the exact same item. I always go with MSI boards, and I will stay with them regardless of if the USB controller is shot. I suppose I could get a PCI card, but I'm just going to wait it out for now. I don't have a job, and the fall semester is coming up (ack!) :S.
DieHardware, I suppose I could always try that again. Who knows, maybe there's a newer USB2 driver than what I had. I suppose I could always use this as an excuse to buy a Logitech MX500 as well .

Your best bet is to use the warranty. Get another board and see if it works correctly.

 

[Ardan]

Yeah I agree, Iron Woode. Plus the USB2 driver isn't the problem, because I checked and it was the latest one already (perhaps I installed it earlier to try and solve it). I'll probably just email their tech support first and see what they have to say about it.

Edit:
I think I can deal with this for a while, but I will need the USB support by fall. So if I just skip it for now and get a new motherboard when I find a new job...what ones would you guys recommend? I am quite experienced in this area, but I figure people could point me to a good nForce2 board. I hear EPoX's board is great, but I will have to look at some reviews.