problem with usb HD

[Guest qwert00]

Hi, I've been having this very annoying problem for a while now, and im hoping that someone here will be able to help me. I have a iomega usb HD 250gigs, that used to work with no problems in xp. A few months ago, it started giving this very annoying error "this device can perform faster" error, that usually appears when you connect a usb 2.0 device on a usb 1.1 slot. Thing is, all the slots in my computer are usb 2.0, and it didnt use to complain about it before. Not only that's the problem, but windows freezes shortly after displaying that balloon popup, and I can only use the applications that were already opened before i turned on the usb hd. After about 3 minutes, sometimes longer, windows explorer unfreezes and im able to use it again, and the device can go faster error dissapears. However, i cant use the usb hd, since it runs slow as s***. I have to turn it off and back on and try again. Sometimes, i have to power it off and back on (the usb hd) for up to 4 or 5 times before it finally lights up with no error messages, and im able to use it. I've tried it all, looking for updated drivers, apparently windows xp sp2 has then, i tried getting the latest chipset board drivers for my board, from intel's site, i tried changin options in bios, i tried reinstalling windows altogether. No dice. I dont think it's a faulty board, since it wouldnt work at all in that case, right? So, can anyone help me please?

thanks

[jaclaz]

First thing you need to understand is whether the problem is within the external drive or in the PC.

Try connecting the hard disk to another PC and see if it behaves the same.

If it does, the problem is likely to be in the hard disk or in the hard disk case controller, or possibly even in cables.

If it does not, it is probable that the problem is a software one, with some driver (or - expecially with USB devices - some Filter driver) and can probably be fixed via uninstalling and reinstalling drivers.

Check also with the Events viewer if there is any logged error.

jaclaz

[Guest qwert00]

First thing you need to understand is whether the problem is within the external drive or in the PC.

Try connecting the hard disk to another PC and see if it behaves the same.

If it does, the problem is likely to be in the hard disk or in the hard disk case controller, or possibly even in cables.

If it does not, it is probable that the problem is a software one, with some driver (or - expecially with USB devices - some Filter driver) and can probably be fixed via uninstalling and reinstalling drivers.

Check also with the Events viewer if there is any logged error.

jaclaz

I trid connecting it to another computer, and it was ok. So the problem must be in this computer. I've tried uninstalling and re-installing many times, it always gives the same error.

Where's the event viewer?

[jaclaz]

Most probably there is some form of "wrong" entry in the Registry.

It is very difficult to fix them or give assistance for these kind of problems from a distance.

It is possible, as said that a "wrong" driver or a "wrong" Filter driver causes the issue, or even a Policy, but it's strange that reinstalling Windows alltogether (a rather "extreme" solution, BTW) didn't change things.

Usually removing EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING "USB related", including internal hub and bridges drivers and reinstalling them fixes the problem.

Is the behaviour the same WHATEVER port you connect to?

Usually ports "on the back" i.e. those physically soldered to the motherboard behave "better" than "front" ones (connected to MB by a cable).

Also, visually checking solderings of the connectors and cleaning the connector blades with alcohol or a similar cleaning solvent might help....

Event Log:

http://www.windows-help-central.com/window...-event-log.html

jaclaz

Edited December 1, 2008 by jaclaz

[Guest qwert00]

Well, i only reinstalled on the same directory where windows was before, i didnt do another directory, thus making it completely from scratch reinstall. Yea, ive tried all the ports, sometimes using a different port from the back shortens the times i have to poweroff and back on the drive. But thats it. Ill try doing some housekeeping on the computer.

thanks for the link, ill check it out. So what should I look for in the event viewer?

Edited December 1, 2008 by qwert00

[jaclaz]

thanks for the link, ill check it out. So what should I look for in the event viewer?

Good question, that deserves a good answer :

Anything that doesn't look normal.

Seriously, anything that is showed as a warning or as an error, a typical logged event that could be related is something like "parity error" or "controller error" on device.... for example you get this kind of error if you have a bad ATA cable (or use a 40 leads one instead of a 80 leads one on a ATA 5, 6 or 7 drive):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Tech...2C_and_features

Maybe, just maybe you have something similar...

jaclaz