USB Device Not Recognized on New Motherboard

[tolaytzki]

I don't know if this is hardware or software related problem. I bought a new motherboard MSI 865PE Neo3-V and my front USB connections doesn't recognized my USB devices (Unknown Device). I checked my wiring with the case and it seems ok. I am using Windows XP SP1. I also install its patches and updates. Please help. Tyvm.

[crazy]

My suggestion:
1. please clear cmos and load defaults in the bios;
2. Check whether the USB controller has been enabled in the bios;
3. Check whether there is "!" or "?" on the USB controller in the device manager,if there is, you may have to reinstall the USB driver,which is brought by the WinXP itself.
4. Please try other USB ports.

If all the above could not help, then you may have a try to use other USB hub to have a try.

[Maesus]

tolaytzki, it's a common problem that front panel USB (by 3rd party, ie come with chassis) unable to support certain USB devices. The wiring correct alone is not enough, the front panel USB must also be made sure that the USB Vbus power is well supplied to the port. Now, to help you further on this, I need to know what kind of front panel USB you have? What chassis? and please tell us your full system specs. tahnks!

[mikekeller]

I have a problem similar to this. My 865PE is in a case with a 4-in-1 card reader installed in the front. Occasionally these four drives will disappear from My Computer (they're gone right now). The back USB ports work, I have another card reader plugged in right now. Device Manager shows one "Unknown device" which says no drivers installed. But I don't know where to install a driver from, nor why it will periodically lose them.

[EricG]

I have been watching this thread with interest as I have been plagued with USB Front Port problems and have tried everything possible to cure the problem.

I occasionally get a message that the device is not recognised - most frequently with a 12-in-1 Card Reader and my External HDD.  There seems to be no logic to this occurence despite just installing a much better PSU and a new front port circuit board/wiring supplied by Antec to replace my older version.   

[LongIslandTom]

I believe it also has to do with the quality of the USB device.

I have a no-name-brand external USB 2.0 hub/4-in-1 card reader with its own AC power brick.  It exhibits exactly the same behavior Mikekeller mentions--  Sometimes it will just drop off and become an "unknown device," and it has done this on three different machines I tried it on, using different USB ports (in the front or in the back).  On the other hand, I have another no-name-brand 17-in-1 card reader (internal-mount this time) I purchased with my HTPC case from PC Alchemy and it has been rock-solid with my MSI 945Neo2-F.

These USB devices are dice-throws.  Sometimes you end up with a complete piece of crap, sometimes you end up with a nice gem.

[coolbiker]

I have a front usb problem too my antec slk 2650 bqe case I dont think it even reonizes the ports. i had then connected at instalation of operating system.

Im using a p4n diamond motheboard  to connect them

[rprough]

I had a front panel problem usb problem too with that antec case and someone, not shure if it was here or at antec, that told me there was one wire to clip, and then wrap back. I have had no problems since.

[coolbiker]

a wire on the hub itself or on the plug. when you say wires im always drwan to that brown wire on the far right on top of the no pin slot. pins may not be depicted right but .hope this gives better view.

pin|pin| pin|pin|brown cable
pin|pin|pin|pin| no pin

on the d braket both end pins dont look likr they connect to any thing so i hope that the one your talking about.
i emailed antec about it so i'll see what they say and post it up .

[rprough]

It was not the brown one I clipped, it was the black one next to the brown one. clip the wire though halfway between the shrink wrap and the connector body so you can leave enough room to resolder if you have too. Just use a low wattage solder iron because the wires are small and the plastic jacket can melt easy. Do all this though at your own risk

[EricG]

I have an Antec Case and Antec advises on their web site in FAQ that the wire to be disconnected is the wire to Pin 10, which in my case is a brown wire.

This has been discussed at length on this forum and there are diagrams and instructions on this very subject.  I recall it might be in "Stickies".

As has been said earlier, and opinions from other sources, seems to suggest that some USB devices do not work well in these front ports and it is a failing of the design of the hardware.

[Mike]

Yes, this subject has been written about quite a bit.

Check to see if there is a wire running from your Front USB ports to the #10 slot of your USB block which connects to the motherboard header.

USB connector block layout which corresponds to the pin layout on boards with the Intel spec for USB. Do not cut the pin on the MOBO. You are removing/cutting the wire to the connector block from the case.
2 4 6 8 10(this wire, #10, not needed)     
1 3 5 7 9(filled/key)

If you find a wire leading to the #10 spot on the block, remove that wire. My block has tabs so that you can pull the wire out, or you could snip/cut the wire leading to that position--if you cut the wire, be careful to cut the correct one and cut it in such a way that it may be repaired if you make a mistake.  Make sure you wrap the wire, the exposed end/s, you remove/cut with electrical tape so as not to accidentally cause a short. I actually folded the wire back and wrapped it.

2 posts to read--Here and Here.

This seems to be a common issue involving many different case manufacturers. I don't know how it applies to other MOBO manufacturers, but in these forums it is not limited to a specific MSI model or supported chipset(Intel or AMD).

[coolbiker]

I have an Antec Case and Antec advises on their web site in FAQ that the wire to be disconnected is the wire to Pin 10, which in my case is a brown wire.

got a link ive been checking for faq to refrence usb port on antecs site with no luck.

[Mike]

Here is the faq I referenced in another post I made. This faq was for my case, see my sig.

The Antec USB connector follows the Intel standard layout. Majority of the motherboards follow the same standard as well. Intel Standard 10pin Layout
Pin 1 = Power Pin 2 = Power
Pin 3 = Data - Pin 4 = Data -
Pin 5 = Data + Pin 6 = Data +
Pin 7 = Ground Pin 8 = Ground
Pin 9 = Key or Blocked pin Pin 10 = Ground


Warning: If your motherboard contains a USB pin labeled OC or NC, make sure that no wire goes to it. You can lift the black tab and pull the wire out or simply clip the wire going to it. The pin for it is usually in pin 10. When a wire is connected to OC or NC, all the USB ports can stop working, the system can automatically shut down, or the secondary IDE is disabled.

[EricG]

Here is the link;  it applies to my Performance SX600 Series case but Antec buys in the ports/circuitry so I expect yours will be the same wiring

http://www.antec.com/uk/support_faqs.php?FAQno=14

This is exactly the same info that Frankenputer has quoted.

[coolbiker]

o.k when i get home im going to check this out. I really hope it has the pop off backing for pin removal like it says.That woulds make me a very happy person.

[EricG]

Mine didn't - I had to snip the wire for fear of damaging the connector!

[coolbiker]

 

you know i just found out what you meant by black tab. when you said black tab i thought like a remote control battery tab. i didnt see the little tiny tabs holding in each but now i know and removed without snipping  o.k yay. i get some elctrical tape and see if it runs now.

[mikekeller]

I believe it also has to do with the quality of the USB device.

I have a no-name-brand external USB 2.0 hub/4-in-1 card reader with its own AC power brick.  It exhibits exactly the same behavior Mikekeller mentions--  Sometimes it will just drop off and become an "unknown device," and it has done this on three different machines I tried it on, using different USB ports (in the front or in the back).  On the other hand, I have another no-name-brand 17-in-1 card reader (internal-mount this time) I purchased with my HTPC case from PC Alchemy and it has been rock-solid with my MSI 945Neo2-F.

These USB devices are dice-throws.  Sometimes you end up with a complete piece of crap, sometimes you end up with a nice gem.

Well, sometimes my Western Digital external USB hard drive will also suddenly disappear, or rather, what happens is that it will show no files inside the folders on the HD. This usually happens after playing Day of Defeat for an extended time, or perhaps the PC has been on for a couple of days doing a fair amount of downloading, or maybe after Windows Explorer has locked up. It requires a reboot to get that back, but that always works. So I am presuming a s/w conflict somewhere for that one.

But yes, I'm not real happy with the lame performance of USB in general.

[EricG]

I agree entirely that USB 2.0 Front Ports behave very erratically.  I have just purchased a second External HDD and this won't work at all in the front ports but is quite happy plugged into the ports off my D-Bracket connected to the other similar USB Header.

My first External HDD, which I have had for some time, works fine if I plug it into a front port  before booting up.  If I hot plug it when the PC is on it usually works providing I put the USB plug into the port before switching on the power - however doing it this way records that the disc has a controller error (in Event Viewer) which I put down to the fact that it is plugged in whilst powering up.  If I switch the power on first and then plug it in, I get an error message "device not recognised".

What is so frustrating is that the D-Bracket with two USB Ports and the front USB Ports are connected to two identical Mobo headers.  Their behavior is the same even if the headers are swapped around.

I cannot believe this problem cannot be fixed be either a Windows XP or MSI update to the USB Drivers or something (not an expert so am guessing here).