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Sudden USB Problem
Sudden USB Problem
System: T-40 (2379-D5U), WinXp Pro SP1
This evening I plugged in my USB 2.0 to copy the Rapid Restore Backup and I was greeted with a message saying the a Hispeed device had been plugged into a non Hispeed port.
Yesterday I did the same thing and no problem, now all of a sudden it thinks the machine ports are not 2.0 ports! I power cycled the machine but that didn't help. I Uninstalled all the USB items and recanned/reinstalled everything fine, but still no-go.
Has anyone seen this behavior and know of a fix?
This evening I plugged in my USB 2.0 to copy the Rapid Restore Backup and I was greeted with a message saying the a Hispeed device had been plugged into a non Hispeed port.
Yesterday I did the same thing and no problem, now all of a sudden it thinks the machine ports are not 2.0 ports! I power cycled the machine but that didn't help. I Uninstalled all the USB items and recanned/reinstalled everything fine, but still no-go.
Has anyone seen this behavior and know of a fix?
Asked and Answered
It looks like the problem is caused by Microsoft's Security Update for Windows XP (KB839645). I backed out the update and the problem simply wnet away.
Last night I applied 5 critical updates (KB839645, KB841873, KB842773, KB823353, KB840315) from the Microsoft Update site. I started planning to back them out one by one to see it anything changed and lo and behold after I backed our the first one the problem went away.
Looks like a problem with this update which Microsoft considers critical.
Last night I applied 5 critical updates (KB839645, KB841873, KB842773, KB823353, KB840315) from the Microsoft Update site. I started planning to back them out one by one to see it anything changed and lo and behold after I backed our the first one the problem went away.
Looks like a problem with this update which Microsoft considers critical.
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Greg Gebhardt
- thinkpads.com customer

- Posts: 847
- Joined: Tue May 11, 2004 6:29 pm
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Re: Sudden USB Problem
Something must have gone wrong as I installed the latest stuff for my XP Pro from MS and my 1gb USB Lexar JumpDrive worked perfectly.jsteele wrote:System: T-40 (2379-D5U), WinXp Pro SP1
This evening I plugged in my USB 2.0 to copy the Rapid Restore Backup and I was greeted with a message saying the a Hispeed device had been plugged into a non Hispeed port.
Yesterday I did the same thing and no problem, now all of a sudden it thinks the machine ports are not 2.0 ports! I power cycled the machine but that didn't help. I Uninstalled all the USB items and recanned/reinstalled everything fine, but still no-go.
Has anyone seen this behavior and know of a fix?
Greg Gebhardt
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
This is driving me nuts. This problem simply went away a few weeks ago and now its back. Last night I plugged in my USB HDD and suddenly got the warning again.
I'm coming to the conclusion that it has SOMETHING to do with the latest BIOS/Embedded controller updates but I can't prove it. The problem is that I backed off the current release of BIOS/controller firmware and it the problem keeps popping up anyway. So I reinstalled the latest BIOS/controller firmware and its still there.
The only thing left is to try going even further back on the BIOS/Controller combination.
I'm coming to the conclusion that it has SOMETHING to do with the latest BIOS/Embedded controller updates but I can't prove it. The problem is that I backed off the current release of BIOS/controller firmware and it the problem keeps popping up anyway. So I reinstalled the latest BIOS/controller firmware and its still there.
The only thing left is to try going even further back on the BIOS/Controller combination.
OK, I've got the same problem too. Here's the details:
Thinkpad T40 (2373-92U)
Bios version: 3.06f (IRETCDWW)
Embedded version: 3.02
Windows version: XP SP1
I was using USB 2.0 with no problems until this weekend when all of my USB 2.0 components started to complain. Last time I can remember doing anything was 2-3 weeks ago. I have been applying the Windows Updates as they come in, but didn't see anything within those updates that was suspect.
I'll roll back the BIOS and Embedded Firmware and let you know if I find a combination that solves the issue.
*** Updated: ***
I rolled back the system BIOS as follows and found that USB performance is back to normal 2.0 speeds.
Bios version: 3.05a (IRETC6WW)
Embedded version: 3.02
Good luck.
-m
Thinkpad T40 (2373-92U)
Bios version: 3.06f (IRETCDWW)
Embedded version: 3.02
Windows version: XP SP1
I was using USB 2.0 with no problems until this weekend when all of my USB 2.0 components started to complain. Last time I can remember doing anything was 2-3 weeks ago. I have been applying the Windows Updates as they come in, but didn't see anything within those updates that was suspect.
I'll roll back the BIOS and Embedded Firmware and let you know if I find a combination that solves the issue.
*** Updated: ***
I rolled back the system BIOS as follows and found that USB performance is back to normal 2.0 speeds.
Bios version: 3.05a (IRETC6WW)
Embedded version: 3.02
Good luck.
-m
Yes, its maddening. I spoke to IBM again Friday and they pointed me at a 'migration package' that is to be installed on a non-IBM XP install in spite of the fact that I explained that I had the origianl IBM XP version installed. The tech also said that one of the two ports is 2.0 the other 1.1 'so just try the other port if this happens again'. Well, I did and it didn't help.
I have reinstated my trouble call. I also downloaded yet another Embedded Controller version from ibm.com, version 3.03 (1RHT70WW) that has recently been posted. I don't have a USB HDD with me at the office so I can't confirm if it fixed the problem or not; I'll try again when I get home.
I have reinstated my trouble call. I also downloaded yet another Embedded Controller version from ibm.com, version 3.03 (1RHT70WW) that has recently been posted. I don't have a USB HDD with me at the office so I can't confirm if it fixed the problem or not; I'll try again when I get home.
An IBM tech support rep told you this???The tech also said that one of the two ports is 2.0 the other 1.1 'so just try the other port if this happens again'.
Keith
(Formerly 600E, T21, T30, T40, T41, 2xT42, 2xT61p, T420, 2x Ideapad K1)
(Currently 4xT430, 2xT460, H520S, M910q, M920q, M70q, M80q)
(Formerly 600E, T21, T30, T40, T41, 2xT42, 2xT61p, T420, 2x Ideapad K1)
(Currently 4xT430, 2xT460, H520S, M910q, M920q, M70q, M80q)
More on the saga of the USB Ports
Last night I installed SP2 hoping that it would fix my USB problem. But alas it is still messed up. However, it is now messed up in a slightly different manner.
Apparently Microsoft has changed the error message for hispeed devices plugged into low speed ports. So when I plugged the USB HDD into the machine I got a new error message but with the same meaning. I removed and reinserted the HDD several times and it kept telling me I had a hispeed device on a low speed port.
However the 4th time I plugged it in it DIDN'T complain!. I was able to copy the Rapid Restore backup to the USB drive at full speed!. Then, AFTER the copy completed the system complained that I had a hispeed device plugged into a low speed port!
This is making me crazy.
Apparently Microsoft has changed the error message for hispeed devices plugged into low speed ports. So when I plugged the USB HDD into the machine I got a new error message but with the same meaning. I removed and reinserted the HDD several times and it kept telling me I had a hispeed device on a low speed port.
However the 4th time I plugged it in it DIDN'T complain!. I was able to copy the Rapid Restore backup to the USB drive at full speed!. Then, AFTER the copy completed the system complained that I had a hispeed device plugged into a low speed port!
This is making me crazy.
As they say, bummer.
I too think it has something to do with the BIOS/EC combination but repeated calls to IBM produced nothing. And I am reluctant to flash older combinations not knowing if IBM's admonishon about 'will only work with version XX' of the BIOS will result in my ThinkPad T-40 becoming a PaperWeight T-40.
Over the years I have been very happy with IBM but this is a bit disappointing.
I too think it has something to do with the BIOS/EC combination but repeated calls to IBM produced nothing. And I am reluctant to flash older combinations not knowing if IBM's admonishon about 'will only work with version XX' of the BIOS will result in my ThinkPad T-40 becoming a PaperWeight T-40.
Over the years I have been very happy with IBM but this is a bit disappointing.
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bapatterson
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:38 pm
- Location: So. Cal.
Same here
I have the same problem. Since one week or so, my T40's USB ports only seem to speak USB1.1. Neither my external USB2 disk nor my 3G iPod are accepted as USB2 devices (although WinXP tells me that it's actually a USB2 device, and I should plug it into the free USB2 port... harhar).
Very annoying.
Very annoying.
1. I'll be happy to.Please let us know what IBM says, if anything. If you get your TP back and it suddenly works, let us know what BIOS and EC versions are there.
2. Dream OnOf course, if they suddenly ship you a T42 by accident, let us know as well. My T40 could go in tomorrow if it was replaced by a T42.
Hi all,
I had the very same problem and after a little search on the net I found out that I was not the only one.
Don't try to reinstall windows and all kind of service pack. In fact it's an hardware problem. On my t40p it worked again in usb2 mode if i tapped under the usb ports.
There was a topic here speaking about that :
http://forums.windrivers.com/archive/index.php/t-58031
I send my t40p to ibm for a motherboard change
Excuse my english by the way
I had the very same problem and after a little search on the net I found out that I was not the only one.
Don't try to reinstall windows and all kind of service pack. In fact it's an hardware problem. On my t40p it worked again in usb2 mode if i tapped under the usb ports.
There was a topic here speaking about that :
http://forums.windrivers.com/archive/index.php/t-58031
I send my t40p to ibm for a motherboard change
Excuse my english by the way
Last edited by behdadb on Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
behdadb
Nothing wrong with your English
My T40 went to EasyServ last Friday for a power problem but I had them include the USB 2 problem in the report. I can only HOPE that they do a System Board change to fix it before they re-image the drive - the tech support line still seems to think that these are WinXP software problems
John
Nothing wrong with your English
My T40 went to EasyServ last Friday for a power problem but I had them include the USB 2 problem in the report. I can only HOPE that they do a System Board change to fix it before they re-image the drive - the tech support line still seems to think that these are WinXP software problems
John
my problem is in connecting my external USB hard drive (maxtor one touch 250gb) to my T42p's USB port.
when i connect it through an old USB hub it works fine and a message comes up saying that a high-speed device is connected through low speed hub (which is true) but if I connect the hard drive via a USB cord directly to the IBM, it finds it and says new hardware but then Windows never associates it as a drive and the leds on the drive just go back and forth like it's confused or hung. I purhcased a belkin USB 2.0 hub and that didn't work either. I have an IBM Mini-Dock and I can't connect the drive to the hub on the back of that either - only the slow usb hub that I just randomly had works...
What gives?
when i connect it through an old USB hub it works fine and a message comes up saying that a high-speed device is connected through low speed hub (which is true) but if I connect the hard drive via a USB cord directly to the IBM, it finds it and says new hardware but then Windows never associates it as a drive and the leds on the drive just go back and forth like it's confused or hung. I purhcased a belkin USB 2.0 hub and that didn't work either. I have an IBM Mini-Dock and I can't connect the drive to the hub on the back of that either - only the slow usb hub that I just randomly had works...
What gives?
T42p (2378-DYU) 1.8GHz | 15"UXGA+ | 512MB | 80GB128MB ATI FireGL T2 | IBM 802.11a/b/g | BT | WinXP Pro SP2
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