Upgrade to Windows 8.1, USB connections stop working

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
Hi all,

This is highly annoying.

So I upgrade to windows 8.1. Upon restart, all USB drives stop working. This means that I can't log in to windows at all.

However, they only stop working once I get to the login screen. So I can get into the bios and mess around, but once I continue the keyboard lights shut down as does the mouse, and I get no response.

I know it isn't frozen because on the login screen, there is a internet connectivity icon in the bottom left. This cycles from not connected to connected.

It is very strange. It's like as soon as windows boots up, it specifically turns off all the ports.

So this of course means I can't login and check device manager or anything. I don't have a Bluetooth keyboard available to see if that works, though I suppose I could check to see if Bluetooth is activated as I have a mouse. I'm not at home right now but can check that tonight.

I've never had any sort of problems before installing the upgrade.

System:

I7-4770
Asus Z87 Deluxe Motherboard
16GB RAM
GeForce GTX780
Samsung 840 Pro SSD Drive
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,553
248
106
What USB ports are you using? If you are currently using the Blue Asmedia ports, try the Intel ports, or vice versa.
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,552
10,171
126
I have read that Windows 8.1 has two major defects;
1) Issuses with the built-in USB drivers not working on 8-series chipsets, and
2) Windows now always automatically installs the drivers IT determines are "best". Regardless of user settings and manual driver installs.

Good luck. (If I were in your shoes, I would use Linux.)
 

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
I have read that Windows 8.1 has two major defects;
1) Issuses with the built-in USB drivers not working on 8-series chipsets, and
2) Windows now always automatically installs the drivers IT determines are "best". Regardless of user settings and manual driver installs.

Good luck. (If I were in your shoes, I would use Linux.)

I just don't have a real desire to learn a new operating system, I heavily use skydrive and Microsoft office, and I'm a big gamer. So I don't think Linux is an option for me.

That sucks about the two issues you mentioned. I also tried to revert to a previous version of windows and it crashes when I did so (booting from the disc). I guess I'll have to do a reinstall if I can't figure anything out.

What USB ports are you using? If you are currently using the Blue Asmedia ports, try the Intel ports, or vice versa.

I've tried every USB port available. They all appear to be shut down.
 

denis280

Diamond Member
Jan 16, 2011
3,434
9
81
I have read that Windows 8.1 has two major defects;
1) Issuses with the built-in USB drivers not working on 8-series chipsets, and
2) Windows now always automatically installs the drivers IT determines are "best". Regardless of user settings and manual driver installs.

Good luck. (If I were in your shoes, I would use Linux.)
True. don't upgrade to 8.1
 

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
Just tried updating the BIOS to see if that would randomly help. It didn't. It's just frustrating to see the keyboard light up, and then all the lights go off once the windows logo appears. WTF?

Guess it'll be a reinstall. I should have just got Windows 7. I just had a great deal on Windows 8.
 

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
So I figured out how to get into "system restore" mode. Just hit the restart button when it is in the middle of loading the login screen. On reboot, it will say that the system didn't start properly and then you can enter system restore.

In this mode, mouse and keyboard work perfectly well.

I've tried to do a system restore from two different restore points. Both times it failed, stating "an unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0x800700b7)"

Mostly I'm just going through the motions right now as I'm fairly resigned to a complete wipe/reinstall. Just reporting so other people who might have a similar problem, and are searching for solutions, can see what I did.
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,553
248
106
And I am sure it will be fixed, just a matter of time. For example, USB works perfectly fine in 8.1 on the board in my sig.
 

denis280

Diamond Member
Jan 16, 2011
3,434
9
81
And I am sure it will be fixed, just a matter of time. For example, USB works perfectly fine in 8.1 on the board in my sig.
Give me your secret michael.for a asus m4a88t-m usb3.before i have no more hair left.going nutso_O
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,553
248
106
Give me your secret michael.for a asus m4a88t-m usb3.before i have no more hair left.going nutso_O

Did you do a fresh install or an upgrade? Now I will say that with 8.1 I had to get several drivers off the web, while 8.0 seemed to come with everything. Weird.
 

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
Did you do a fresh install or an upgrade? Now I will say that with 8.1 I had to get several drivers off the web, while 8.0 seemed to come with everything. Weird.

For me, the computer is fairly new. But I installed 8.0, then upgraded to 8.1. I've never had 7 installed.

Everything works great with 8.0.
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,553
248
106
When you are ready to start over, you might want to try a fresh install with 8.1, just to see if there is any difference (I am just running the 90-day license freebie on a spare drive). I would be very curious if that makes any difference for you, but of course you would need to share that curiosity, lol.
 
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datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
When you are ready to start over, you might want to try a fresh install with 8.1, just to see if there is any difference (I am just running the 90-day license freebie on a spare drive). I would be very curious if that makes any difference for you, but of course you would need to share that curiosity, lol.

I am slightly curious about this as well. Only problem is that I don't have a big USB drive around, and my tablet (which I'm using now) doesn't burn discs. So I'd have to go out and buy a USB drive to put an 8.1 ISO on, and I'm not sure I'm THAT curious :p
 

denis280

Diamond Member
Jan 16, 2011
3,434
9
81
Did you do a fresh install or an upgrade? Now I will say that with 8.1 I had to get several drivers off the web, while 8.0 seemed to come with everything. Weird.
Upgrade.Dammit.Now i will do a fresh install:rolleyes: