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Windows doesnt see USB devices

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dawks

Diamond Member
We have a Dell Latitude Rugged laptop here. Its running Windows XP. It was brought to me with reports that the COM/Serial port is no longer working, along with the USB ports. I've done a bunch of troubleshooting and sure enough, I can plug in a USB mouse and it lights up, but Windows doesnt see it (no USB sound, or installing icon, or anything changed in the Device Manager). The mouse remains lit, but the pointer doesnt respond.

I've plugged in a netcam, but again, nothing. I've also tried a USB thumb drive, it briefly lights up, but then goes dim, and nothing happens in Windows. I've tried disconnecting the power and batter, rebooting several times, removing USB devices from device manager, rebooting several more times, disabling USB in the bios and going into Windows and rebooting. Tried a reg key about not allowing Windows to sleep the USB ports..

I dont think its been a driver update, since the laptop is offline most of the time. I did try running Windows update myself, but didnt find a new USB driver.

I find it strange that the USB mouse lights up, but Windows doesnt see anything.
 
Are you running on battery or A/C? If a battery is present, try removing it and running on A/C alone. I am suspecting a power problem that impacts the ports in question.
 
Thanks for the tips guys, I tried updating the chipset driver, removing the battery and power, then rebooting.. and running without a battery.. Ran the battery down to dead and recharged it too.

Did all the available dell updates including a BIOS update.. still, the mouse lights up but isnt seen in Windows.
 
When all else fails, get a powered hub and plug it into a USB port. It should be seen by Windows right away. Then plug your devices into the powered hub. If this works, then it tends to confirm that your USB ports are not getting a full 5 vdc at 500 ma.
 
dawks said:
We have a Dell Latitude Rugged laptop here. Its running Windows XP. It was brought to me with reports that the COM/Serial port is no longer working, along with the USB ports
Click to expand...
did it just go.or something when wrong and damage the mobo.
 
denis280 said:
did it just go.or something when wrong and damage the mobo.
Click to expand...

One of the users said it may have been dropped at one point, but I dont see any visible damage on the outside. Its strange that the port still powers devices but can't be seen by the OS. Waiting on a tech from Dell to provide some support.
 
Can you add a new install of Windows to the laptop? USB support comes with XP, so if it doesn't work with a fresh install, there is a physical problem with the ports/controller, considering everything is set correctly in the BIOS.
 
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