USB Broken on Asus P5B Motherboard and Win 7 64

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All but two of my USB ports do not function on my Asus P5B motherboard, Windows 7 64 bit system. My USB keyboard and trackball work fine (otherwise I wouldn’t be typing this message!), but my printer, external back-up drive, and thumb drives are not recognized by my system. I’ve tried everything I can think of:

1. System restore does not help–says it cannot restore.
2. Asus downloads does not offer a stand-alone USB driver; it just offers a complete Inte chipset driver update. I’ve downloade this update directly from Intel and it does not cure the problem. In fact, the Intel driver download site states: ” **Important**
The Intel Chipset Device Software does not install drivers for AGP or USB. DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS UTILITY IF YOUR DEVICE MANUFACTURER IS RECOMMENDING IT TO CORRECT AN “AGP DRIVER,” “AGP GART,” OR “USB DRIVER” ISSUE; IT WILL NOT CORRECT YOUR ISSUE.”
3. I used SlimDevices driver update software; it downloads the Intel chipset driver, which does not resolve the problem.
4. I’ve unistalLed the USB roothubs using Device Manager and let Windows reinstall them. No help.
5. Windows 7 Administrative Tools tells me that the USB hardware is functioning. Device Manager tells me that the USB devices are functioning normally.

I’m at wit’s end and would appreciate suggestion from the Forum. I’m particularly puzzled about why two USB devices work fine (keyboard and track ball), but not anything else. Please let me know if I’m missing anything.

Thanks,

Rich

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Are the operational USB ports in the same general area of your PC, i.e. back , front, etc? Did you uninstall the USB controllers as well as the root hubs in Device Manager? I would try that if you did not. This motherboard reviewmay give some clues. I assume this is where you looked for downloads. A Google searchshows a lot of info on this motherboard. This seems to be a fairly old motherboard, is there a chance you have a hardware failure on the MB?

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Ted,
Thanks for your response. The operational USB ports are on the rear of the motherboard, just like the ones which do not function. I did not uninstall the USB controllers; I will try that. Thanks for the suggestion. There is a chance I have a hardware failure on the MB. We had multiple power failures in my area, compliments of Irene.I don’t understand why any such hardware failures would “select” some, but not all, USB ports all located on the motherboard.

Rich

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Cycler2,

Welcome to the Lounge as a poster. :cheers:

Take a look at the following:

[*]Open the case and see if the connections between the USB connectors and MB are tight.
[*]Is there 1 or 2 USB controllers? If only one you may be having power problems, although with only KBD/mouse I doubt this, you could try using a powered hub and see if this helps.
[*]Have you tried the devices on another computer to make sure they do not have an electrical problem?
[*]Have you tried different USB cables to connect the devices?
[*]Have you checked the BIOS settings for the USB controllers?

That’s about all I can think of for now. Also, if you have an empty PCI slot you could add an inexpensive USB card to handle your other devices. :cheers:

Update: I just noticed Ted beat me to the punch and if, as he mentioned, the MB is fairly old does it have USB1 vs USB2 ports? Shouldn’t make a difference except for speed but could be a problem.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Retired Geek,

I’m retired, too! Ain’t it grand? I will check any USB connecitons, but I believe they’re all hard-wired, rather than push-on. I will try my USB devices on another computer to see if they function. My cables appear to be fine, but I’ll check on another computer. Haven’t checked the bios settings. That’s next. My USB ports are 2.0; don’t think that matters and I can’t change it in any event. Thanks for your suggestions.

Rich

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Some older motherboards have capacitors that leak and fail. While inside the box check capacitor heads to see if any have mushroomed out or are starting to leak.

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Some older motherboards have capacitors that leak and fail. While inside the box check capacitor heads to see if any have mushroomed out or are starting to leak.

Thanks for your suggestion, I’ll check the caps while I’m poking around the Mb.
Rich

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USB ports are subject to failure from static discharge, power fluctuations, problems due to grounding or excessive power drain and even nearby lightning strikes. I have seen a spike in USB failures this summer, and in fact right now have a laptop which can’t recognize USB2.0 devices under Windows but which works under Linux.

I did a wipe/reinstall of XP Pro trying to fix it but no change; finally concluded it is hardware, even though Linux works after a significant delay when connecting new devices. I guess their driver is more robust.

If one of your onboard controllers is fried you might try getting a separate PCI USB controller (they are cheap now) and use it to drive a powered external USB bus. Cheaper than a new mobo.

Jock

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USB ports are subject to failure from static discharge, power fluctuations, problems due to grounding or excessive power drain and even nearby lightning strikes. I have seen a spike in USB failures this summer, and in fact right now have a laptop which can’t recognize USB2.0 devices under Windows but which works under Linux.

I did a wipe/reinstall of XP Pro trying to fix it but no change; finally concluded it is hardware, even though Linux works after a significant delay when connecting new devices. I guess their driver is more robust.

If one of your onboard controllers is fried you might try getting a separate PCI USB controller (they are cheap now) and use it to drive a powered external USB bus. Cheaper than a new mobo.

Jock

Jock,
Good suggestion. I may have to resort to that, as I do not want to build a new computer now. This one is old, but is fast enough for my needs and has served me well.
Rich

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It’s alive! Many thanks to all who replied to my post. It was a hardware failure after all. Power surges following Hurricane Irene apparently killed my USB controllers. I followed Retired Geek’s and Jock’s suggestion and installed a PCI USB controller and all is well.

I will build a new computer, but now that my old one is functional in all respects, I can research what components to use in a relaxed way.

Again, thanks to all. The Lounge is a great resource.

Rich

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