Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: nardopolo on August 28, 2008, 10:30:40 AM

Title: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 28, 2008, 10:30:40 AM
my mouse / keyboard / printer for some reason have been working up. they just disconnect and reconnect by itself which messes up some programs. sometimes they disconnet and dont reconnect. i had to insert another mouse to restart the computer. also when i plug in the new mouse, it only works on one usb, all the others seem to be down too. whats wrong?

nardopolo
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: xavier on August 28, 2008, 12:22:21 PM
Its either a power PBLM. or the board
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 28, 2008, 12:26:24 PM
but how do i fix it
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: patio on August 28, 2008, 12:36:51 PM
Front connectors or rear ?
Laptop or desktop?
Any new hardware installed recently ?
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: xavier on August 28, 2008, 12:45:40 PM
When you go to device manager are there any yellow !!! marks next to mouse keyboard ect?
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 28, 2008, 06:16:06 PM
They are both USB connected, to the back of my Dell desktop. This happened recently, before i installed Service Pack 3, but still happens now. Besides that, not much else was changed. and the device manager thing, im not sure how to get there, but i did go to Control Panel -> Printers and Other Hardware -> Mouse and there are two mice listed in the hardware section, a Logitech USB Wheelmouse, and HID-compliant mouse. I think i am only using one, the Dell Logitech mouse. Everything seems normal under keyboard and printer though. Any suggestions on my next step?
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: xavier on August 28, 2008, 07:09:09 PM
Go to my computer, click on view system info.click onhardware & click on device manager  Do you see anyyellow!!!marks next to any device
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 28, 2008, 07:30:25 PM
nope no yellow marks, but this is during the time when the devices are still connected, not yet disconnected. im not too sure i can get it when its disconnected though. Still any help please?

thanks nardopolo
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: xavier on August 28, 2008, 07:52:30 PM
Try doing a system restore. Restoring the system before you had this problem.Programs, accesories, system tools,system restore
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 29, 2008, 06:40:48 PM
I do not wish to do a system restore because i don't want to lose my recent work. Is there any other way? Also in the device manager, when the the mouse/keyboard/printer are disconnected, they are not listed in the device manager at all. Any help?

Nardopolo
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 29, 2008, 11:20:40 PM
System restore does not delete any of your files, however, Programs installed after the date you specify might need reinstalling.
(I do System Restore a lot when fixing a recent problem and it is highly recommended in the forums)
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 30, 2008, 03:30:20 PM
Alright but what does system restore do? What do you lose?

Also a new development, sometimes when i turn on the computer, nothing is connected already. Any help?

Nardopolo
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on August 30, 2008, 09:55:51 PM
You should really check out this link:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000589.htm

There is an explanation to what it does and how to use it.  ;)
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: quaxo on August 30, 2008, 11:21:50 PM
What Dell model is this?

Also, exactly how many USB ports do you have and what is their position on the system? What is plugged into each one? Do you have multiple items plugged into a hub going into 1 port? etc.

Here's what we need to know (using mine as an example):
Quote
Ports:
6 USB ports in back on motherboard
2 in front (connected to USB headers on the motherboard)
1 in front in the multi-card reader bay
2 ports on USB keyboard

Devices:
1 keyboard (w\2 port hub) plugged into back
1 mouse, plugged into keyboard
1 joystick, plugged into keyboard
1 webcam, plugged into back
1 printer, plugged into back
Sometimes 1 flash drive, plugged in front in multi-card reader's port
And sometimes an external hard drive which takes 2 ports at the front (one for power, one for data+power)

Theoretically, USB ports can support up to 127 devices. However, keep in mind that if you have too many items plugged into one port (like through an unpowered 4-port hub), the USB port can't supply enough power to them all, causing some or all of the devices to fail/disconnect because they are underpowered.
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on August 31, 2008, 07:41:01 PM
To Carbon Dudeoxide, I will attempt a system restore after I get help from quaxo.

To quaxo, I own a Dell Dimension C521, its a thinner model.
I have...

PORTS:
4 USB ports in the back on mother board
2 in front, under CD drive, I think it's also connected to the back, but not sure
2 ports on USB monitor

DEVICES:
1 USB logitech keyboard, plugged into back
1 USB mouse, plugged into back
1 USB HP printer, plugged into back
1 monitor with two extra ports, plugged into back
sometimes 1 flash drive in monitor
sometimes 1 iPod in monitor
1 USB port extension (just make the USB port more accessible), plugged into front

Could I provide any more information?

P.S. Also after I saw this post, I changed some stuff around, removing an unneeded extra speaker system (I think it's a subwoofer?) USB in the back, and also removing a permanent iPod cable connected to the moniter. This might help a lot.
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on September 04, 2008, 04:41:58 PM
Okay it still happens, and now i've also noticed that sometimes when i turn on the computer, the printer seems to be malfunctioning. It turns on, but the lights on front flicker, unless i shut down the printer and reboot it. Do you think this might be showing that there isn't enough energy to power all the USB appliances? If so how would I fix it???


Thanks, Nardopolo
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 05, 2008, 06:31:03 AM
Try removing all accessories attached to your computer, turn the computer on, and slowly start reconnecting them.
Start with the mouse, then keyboard, ect...
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: esther on September 05, 2008, 06:35:38 AM
could it be the USB connector??
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: nardopolo on September 08, 2008, 06:25:02 PM
alright i finally figured it out. My keyboard wire was constantly rubbing on part of the computer desk and bare wire was exposed. I guess it was short circuiting or something and by doing this took power away from all other usb devices as well. Thanks to all those that helped.

Nardopolo
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 09, 2008, 02:40:57 AM
Interesting........

At least you've got it solved. ;)
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: yesterdayon on September 09, 2008, 02:46:34 AM
Its either a power PBLM. or the board ???
Title: Re: USB ports, mouse/ keyboard /and printer disconnecting
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 09, 2008, 02:47:23 AM
Its either a power PBLM. or the board ???

It was a problem with the USB Ports shorting out.