X300 freezes when USB device inserted
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:41 pm
I believe the problem with Lenovo X300 notebooks freezing when you insert a USB device is not software, driver, or firmware related. I believe there is a hardware problem with the X300. Specifically, I believe it is a grounding problem and that the X300 is sensitive to static electricity. Thus, an X300 may work fine in a humid climate - but not in a dry climate.
I have sent my X300 to Lenovo twice. The last time they 'resolved my problem' by re-imaging the system (with Vista Ultimate). After receiving the re-imaged system directly from Lenovo (and before installing any software), I began testing USB devices. I concluded I could insert devices all day long if I stood perfectly still and wore a wrist grounding strap. But, if I walked across (a carpeted) room to get a USB device and then inserted the USB device, the X300 would freeze as usual.
People have theorized that moving the mouse before inserting a USB device has solved their problem. If so, I suggest they were simply discharging static electricity from their body before touching the USB slot.
To ensure this problem is not unique to Vista, I imaged the X300 with XP Pro. The results were exactly the same. I also did the same tests on a Lenovo X60 laptop and an Acer Aspire One notebook. I could get neither of these devices to fail, even after sliding my feet on the floor to intentionally build up a static charge.
Many of us have spent countless hours trying to figure out why we cannot reliably use USB devices on a $3,000 laptop. Even though there are numerous postings from users having USB problems, I can find nothing from Lenovo acknowledging the problem. It is time for Lenovo to rise up and solve this problem.
I have sent my X300 to Lenovo twice. The last time they 'resolved my problem' by re-imaging the system (with Vista Ultimate). After receiving the re-imaged system directly from Lenovo (and before installing any software), I began testing USB devices. I concluded I could insert devices all day long if I stood perfectly still and wore a wrist grounding strap. But, if I walked across (a carpeted) room to get a USB device and then inserted the USB device, the X300 would freeze as usual.
People have theorized that moving the mouse before inserting a USB device has solved their problem. If so, I suggest they were simply discharging static electricity from their body before touching the USB slot.
To ensure this problem is not unique to Vista, I imaged the X300 with XP Pro. The results were exactly the same. I also did the same tests on a Lenovo X60 laptop and an Acer Aspire One notebook. I could get neither of these devices to fail, even after sliding my feet on the floor to intentionally build up a static charge.
Many of us have spent countless hours trying to figure out why we cannot reliably use USB devices on a $3,000 laptop. Even though there are numerous postings from users having USB problems, I can find nothing from Lenovo acknowledging the problem. It is time for Lenovo to rise up and solve this problem.