Bizarre again!

Chronic Tech · 05-25-2006, 09:28 AM

Problem; my computer will not boot at all unless I unplug my powered USB hub. I had this problem the other day and put it on the XP section not knowing where to put it. But the problem resolved itself. But, having had to switch the machine off for something, at the wall, the problem is back.

The power button on the front of the machine is not 'live'. If I press it nothing happens, but if I then just unplug the power to, or the incoming USB connection to, the USB the machine boots immediately, without my having to press the power button again. I can then immediately reconnect the hub and all works fine.

I spoke to a computer man who says that he has had this problem with Air Traffic Control system computers. It seems that there is some sort of disagreement between the chipset in the hub and the main chipset in his case. But this seems to be some sort of diverted power problem as my machine won't even switch on at all unless I unplug the USB hub, then away she goes.

Any ideas, you geniuses?

dai · 05-25-2006, 09:42 AM

when it will not start try touching the 2 pins on the m/b with a paperclip or small screwdriver,that the wires from the case switch connect to
this will check if the switch is the problem
post your system specs including the power supply and the line voltages this app will give you
http://www.stvsoft.com/

**Ralck** · 05-25-2006, 12:14 PM

I've experienced this problem before. Certain USB hubs seem to draw power strangely, and the computer thinks it has a problem and activates safety mechanisms not allowing the computer to start up. I haven't found a way to fix it other than get a better USB hub.

Chronic Tech · 05-25-2006, 12:35 PM

I am sure this is nothing to do with the power switch as the computer is not old, and as soon as I fiddle with the hub's power supply, or USB supply, the machine immediately starts.

What is this utility called stvsoft supposed to do? It shows temperatures and volatages, and nothing seems out of the ordinary.

I wondered if there was some setting somewhere that I could alter and the machine would boot normally.

Apparently if one buys a PCI card and plugs USBs into that the machine boots normally as it does not pick up such a card until after going through the BIOS.

dai · 05-25-2006, 12:49 PM

what voltages is it showing

Chronic Tech · 05-25-2006, 02:50 PM

Hello Dai,

Well, the voltages are, in descending order, if you have the same application; 1.52, 3.3, 5.13 ,12 , -5.05, -11.6, 4.9 , 0.02.

Thanks for your help, by the way.

Justin

dai · 05-25-2006, 04:16 PM

if you have any spare usb ports,try taking the connections from the hub and plugging them into the computer

Chronic Tech · 05-26-2006, 12:47 AM

OK, but if it patently is the powered hub, as the machine continues quite normally if one presses the power button when either the power input, or USB input, to the USB hub is removed then what would what you suggest prove? Surely that is the same as I am doing already?

I will have a go anyway, thanks.

Justin

Chronic Tech · 05-26-2006, 01:46 AM

This is interesting as I have just checked to see what hardware was listed, with a view to removing the installation of the USB hub and found that THREE instances of 'USB root hub' were listed. Does this mean that there are three installations of the same bit of hardware, my USB hub? If so if I removed two of the instances would this help do you think?

**kodi** · 05-26-2006, 03:00 AM

Try unplugging your Hub then go to the device manager and remove ALL usb Devices then reboot and let Windows reinstall them. Then post back with your results

Chronic Tech · 05-26-2006, 06:14 AM

Thanks for that. I will give it a go.

I understand from a computer engineer/software engineer that I could install a PCI card with USB outputs, and all would be well as the machine would boot before it found the hub.

Justin

Chronic Tech · 05-26-2006, 09:43 AM

OK, I have looked into the control panel and whilst I can see how to add hardware, and can see all sorts of USB things listed, I cannot see how to remove them. How do you do that?

**kodi** · 05-26-2006, 01:46 PM

Right click on the entry and select remove

Chronic Tech · 05-26-2006, 03:31 PM

OK. I will try that.

I have been advised to get a new PCI card with USB output, which I have done, and I am struggling with instalation here at the moment. It will not boot at all when I put the card in. That may be something to do with not seating correctly, but I am playing with it.

Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate it.

**TheMatt** · 05-26-2006, 03:53 PM

If that doesn't work: Try another port for the hub to be plugged into. Also, try unplugging all the devices from the hub but leave the hub plugged in and then boot. What happens?

Chronic Tech · 05-27-2006, 04:21 AM

Thanks. I'll have a go.

My machine has picked up 'generic USB hub', listed in the hardware, but this is driving me nuts.

I bought a PCI card with a couple of USB outputs to see if we could put that USB devices after the boot sequence but that has resulted in a freeze up! With the card in all that happens is yoiu get the first screen, with the energy star, that one only sees fleetingly normally, and there it stops. It will not boot at all. Everything is running, but it seems to paralyse the BIOS or something.

Any ideas?

dai · 05-27-2006, 10:59 AM

list your system specs including the power supply
you have installed the windows sp's

Chronic Tech · 05-27-2006, 02:01 PM

Hello W. Australia. Thanks for your reply, Dai.

What do you mean? Do you want a full Belarc Advisor report or something from the device manager list?

dai · 05-27-2006, 02:06 PM

m/board
video card
h/drives
cd/dvd drives
ram
cpu
psu brand and wattage

Chronic Tech · 05-27-2006, 02:29 PM

Hello Dai,

OK, Gigabyte RZ series 8S651MP-RZ(-C)
Video card on board, I think, SiS Mirage Graphics [Display adapter]
40Gb partitioned hard drive Maxtor 6E040L0 [Hard drive] (41.11 GB) -- drive 0
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]
1024mb Ram (2X 512) PC2700
P4 2.8Ghz processor
sorry, don't know what a PSU is.

Justin

05-25-2006, 09:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	Bizarre again! Problem; my computer will not boot at all unless I unplug my powered USB hub. I had this problem the other day and put it on the XP section not knowing where to put it. But the problem resolved itself. But, having had to switch the machine off for something, at the wall, the problem is back. The power button on the front of the machine is not 'live'. If I press it nothing happens, but if I then just unplug the power to, or the incoming USB connection to, the USB the machine boots immediately, without my having to press the power button again. I can then immediately reconnect the hub and all works fine. I spoke to a computer man who says that he has had this problem with Air Traffic Control system computers. It seems that there is some sort of disagreement between the chipset in the hub and the main chipset in his case. But this seems to be some sort of diverted power problem as my machine won't even switch on at all unless I unplug the USB hub, then away she goes. Any ideas, you geniuses?

05-25-2006, 09:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	when it will not start try touching the 2 pins on the m/b with a paperclip or small screwdriver,that the wires from the case switch connect to this will check if the switch is the problem post your system specs including the power supply and the line voltages this app will give you http://www.stvsoft.com/ __________________

05-25-2006, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	what voltages is it showing __________________

05-25-2006, 04:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	if you have any spare usb ports,try taking the connections from the hub and plugging them into the computer __________________

05-26-2006, 03:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,396 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Try unplugging your Hub then go to the device manager and remove ALL usb Devices then reboot and let Windows reinstall them. Then post back with your results __________________ Brian

05-25-2006, 12:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	I've experienced this problem before. Certain USB hubs seem to draw power strangely, and the computer thinks it has a problem and activates safety mechanisms not allowing the computer to start up. I haven't found a way to fix it other than get a better USB hub.

05-25-2006, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	I am sure this is nothing to do with the power switch as the computer is not old, and as soon as I fiddle with the hub's power supply, or USB supply, the machine immediately starts. What is this utility called stvsoft supposed to do? It shows temperatures and volatages, and nothing seems out of the ordinary. I wondered if there was some setting somewhere that I could alter and the machine would boot normally. Apparently if one buys a PCI card and plugs USBs into that the machine boots normally as it does not pick up such a card until after going through the BIOS.

05-25-2006, 02:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	Hello Dai, Well, the voltages are, in descending order, if you have the same application; 1.52, 3.3, 5.13 ,12 , -5.05, -11.6, 4.9 , 0.02. Thanks for your help, by the way. Justin

05-26-2006, 12:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	OK, but if it patently is the powered hub, as the machine continues quite normally if one presses the power button when either the power input, or USB input, to the USB hub is removed then what would what you suggest prove? Surely that is the same as I am doing already? I will have a go anyway, thanks. Justin

05-26-2006, 01:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	This is interesting as I have just checked to see what hardware was listed, with a view to removing the installation of the USB hub and found that THREE instances of 'USB root hub' were listed. Does this mean that there are three installations of the same bit of hardware, my USB hub? If so if I removed two of the instances would this help do you think?

05-26-2006, 06:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	Thanks for that. I will give it a go. I understand from a computer engineer/software engineer that I could install a PCI card with USB outputs, and all would be well as the machine would boot before it found the hub. Justin

05-26-2006, 09:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	OK, I have looked into the control panel and whilst I can see how to add hardware, and can see all sorts of USB things listed, I cannot see how to remove them. How do you do that?

05-26-2006, 01:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,396 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Right click on the entry and select remove __________________ Brian

05-26-2006, 03:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	OK. I will try that. I have been advised to get a new PCI card with USB output, which I have done, and I am struggling with instalation here at the moment. It will not boot at all when I put the card in. That may be something to do with not seating correctly, but I am playing with it. Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate it.

05-26-2006, 03:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	If that doesn't work: Try another port for the hub to be plugged into. Also, try unplugging all the devices from the hub but leave the hub plugged in and then boot. What happens? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

05-27-2006, 04:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	Thanks. I'll have a go. My machine has picked up 'generic USB hub', listed in the hardware, but this is driving me nuts. I bought a PCI card with a couple of USB outputs to see if we could put that USB devices after the boot sequence but that has resulted in a freeze up! With the card in all that happens is yoiu get the first screen, with the energy star, that one only sees fleetingly normally, and there it stops. It will not boot at all. Everything is running, but it seems to paralyse the BIOS or something. Any ideas?

05-27-2006, 10:59 AM	#17 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	list your system specs including the power supply you have installed the windows sp's __________________

05-27-2006, 02:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	Hello W. Australia. Thanks for your reply, Dai. What do you mean? Do you want a full Belarc Advisor report or something from the device manager list?

05-27-2006, 02:06 PM	#19 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	m/board video card h/drives cd/dvd drives ram cpu psu brand and wattage __________________

05-27-2006, 02:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
Chronic Tech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97 OS: xp	Hello Dai, OK, Gigabyte RZ series 8S651MP-RZ(-C) Video card on board, I think, SiS Mirage Graphics [Display adapter] 40Gb partitioned hard drive Maxtor 6E040L0 [Hard drive] (41.11 GB) -- drive 0 TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B [CD-ROM drive] 3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive] 1024mb Ram (2X 512) PC2700 P4 2.8Ghz processor sorry, don't know what a PSU is. Justin