Hi:
I have two USB PORTS in the front of my chassis. They do not appear to be working. When I attempt to plug in my Logitech USB HEADSET 300 the PC reboots automatically. Is there some way I can diagnose what the problem might be?
Thanks,
David
Have they ever worked?
It sounds as though the driver for your headphones may be causing instability in Windows, causing a blue screen, and rebooting. Because Windows XP defaults to automatically reboot, you may not be seeing the blue screen.
First step will be to actually see the error message.
Do the following:
Right Click on My Computer
Choose Properties
Click the Advanced Tab.
Under Startup and Recovery choose Settings
Under System Failure, uncheck 'Automatically restart'
Click OK all the way out and plug your headphones in again. If you are getting a blue screen you should see it here and report back the error message you are getting.
--Zig
Hi Ziggie:
Followed your instructions and the system still rebooted. What now?
Thanks,
David
Hey David - Try the headphones in one of the back USB ports and see if that works OK. Also try a different device (mouse, keyboard, MP3Player, camera, flash drive) in the front ports and see if the problem still exists or goes away......let us know.
The front and back USB ports have separate connections to the mobo so, if the back ports are all working OK with all devices but the front ones throw up the same error with all devices then it is most likely a bad connection on the mobo.....corrosion, dry solder joint, something like that.
Cheers.....Jim
Hi:
Thanks for the reply. I've tried that and the ones in the back work fine. So, I guess that the front USB ports are damaged. Does it pay to have them repaired or should I purchase a USB hub?
Thanks again,
David
Hey David - A USB hub will certainly get you out of trouble but it may be time for you to start thinking about the possibility of updating your hardware....a new computer.
How old is your computer?
Cheers....Jim
[quote="ozbloke":9v9k8kb7]Hey David - A USB hub will certainly get you out of trouble but it may be time for you to start thinking about the possibility of updating your hardware....a new computer.
How old is your computer?
Cheers....Jim[/quote:9v9k8kb7]
Hi Jim:
You're probably right about replacement. What would you recommend?
Cheers,
David
David - That advice would probably be best coming from either Ziggie or David. Simply because they are in the U.S. and more conversant with country specific brands and pricing.
I guess I am lucky because I have a good mate who owns a computer sales/repair shop and he builds computers to custom specs, I Just give him a list of what I want and he puts it all together for me.
First thing you need to do is have a price range in mind. Then decide what specs you require and see if that falls within your budget. You like your games I know but I wouldn't describe you as a hard-core gamer. Still, that side of your computer activities needs to be taken into consideration.
I would go for an Intel 2 core duo CPU at the high-end of their mid-range processors...something like the E8300 or E8400. 4GB Ram plus 1GB dedicated graphics card (although you would most likely be fine with 512MB).
I would [i:6zsmeqrp]not[/i:6zsmeqrp] opt for a single large capacity HDD, I would prefer to have two separate smaller internal hard drives, e.g. rather than 1 x 1TB HDD I would go for 2 x 500MB.
Everyone has their own ideas but you need to keep in mind that every upgrade of each competent involves additional cost. Individually It doesn't appear to be a lot of extra dollars but if you get too carried away the bottom line can blow out substantially. A balance of needs to price is required, not much point paying [i:6zsmeqrp]over the budget[/i:6zsmeqrp] for extra grunt you don't really need.
Cheers.....Jim
My advice when computer shopping -- buy more than you need - as much as you can afford.
Any system you buy these days is more than adequate to meet the average computer user's needs. In fact, for most people who only surf facebook and do email most modern systems are overkill.
My advice holds though, spec out what you need for your day to day and move to the next level. That way when your computer usage changes, your computer more than likely is ready to meet the challenge.
For local people who ask for my advice -- I take them over to Best Buy and we walk down the rows of computers. We pick out the 'pretty' ones and the useful ones and compare features. Then we go to Newegg and pick out what they liked at Best Buy.
Depending on your price range, needs, and brand preference, there is specific advice I could offer. There are a lot of great deals out there right now -- but they tend to be even better the week between Christmas and New Years.
--Zig
Not to jump in and change the course of the discussion, but... Have you used the front ports before with success? Is it possible someone connected the USB port header backwards on the motherboard?
[quote="Ziggie":niys4gui]My advice when computer shopping -- buy more than you need - as much as you can afford.
Any system you buy these days is more than adequate to meet the average computer user's needs. In fact, for most people who only surf facebook and do email most modern systems are overkill.
My advice holds though, spec out what you need for your day to day and move to the next level. That way when your computer usage changes, your computer more than likely is ready to meet the challenge.
For local people who ask for my advice -- I take them over to Best Buy and we walk down the rows of computers. We pick out the 'pretty' ones and the useful ones and compare features. Then we go to Newegg and pick out what they liked at Best Buy.
Depending on your price range, needs, and brand preference, there is specific advice I could offer. There are a lot of great deals out there right now -- but they tend to be even better the week between Christmas and New Years.
--Zig[/quote:niys4gui]
Hi Ziggie:
I don't have a brand preference. Do you? The PC I have now was made for me.
Thanks,
David
[quote="DavesComputerTips":1cfz068c]Not to jump in and change the course of the discussion, but... Have you used the front ports before with success? Is it possible someone connected the USB port header backwards on the motherboard?[/quote:1cfz068c]
Hi Dave:
I originally had a joystick plugged in and it worked fine. It just stopped working one day. Don't think anyone messed around with the MB.
Thanks,
David
Gotcha. Sometimes people place them incorrectly on the motherboard when they build the computer or change parts. It happens, so I had to check!
Hi Dave:
No problem. It's a complete puzzle to me.
Thanks,
David
Hey Guys - I had a look through the Newegg desktop deals and I have to say I was left somewhat underwhelmed. They don't really offer much in the Intel range with dedicated graphics included until around $600.00 and above. Most under that price with Intel CPU had integrated graphics, those with dedicated graphics card seemed to always be coupled with Athlon CPU.
Pricing seemed to be above what we would pay here for similar specs...which is strange because you guys are generally way ahead. Even allowing for the exchange rate, it would appear we have better deals here: Older 'E' series Intel 2 core duo CPU (E6500-E7500), 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 512MB dedicated graphics for around $420.00. Same setup with new i series Intel CPU around $460.00.
Didn't see anything comparable to that on Newegg but then I am brand new there so maybe I was looking in the wrong section.
Cheers.....Jim
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