A30 problem, USB devices causing crashes

[willf]

Hello, I'm having some trouble with a TP A30 (2652-36U). The machine is fairly new to me, as I adopted it from a family member. The problem I'm having is that the machine cuts out from time to time when I try to plug in a USB device. And recently I've tried using a USB storage device, but the machine won't recognize it. However, it recognizes an older model that I have, but has always given me an error message about using a hi-speed device and that there is a problem with the host controller.
I've updated the BIOS and have run PCDoc diagnostics on it, but nothing's changed.
It concerns me that the machine is cutting off when I plug or unplug USB devices. It seems there may be a problem with the motherboard. Am I correct in this assumption? Does anyone have any suggestions other than a systemboard replacement? Everything else seems to be fine. I was also wondering if installing a USB 2.0 pc card might at least temporarily fix this problem.
Thanks for any advice or help you can give.
Will

[willf]

I tried that USB card, but it won't install either. Any ideas?
Thanks.

[JHEM]

Much as I hate to suggest it, and you'll hate to read it, the best thing to do in these instances is to start afresh.

Reload W2K from the Recovery Partition: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-40431

and then install and run the Software Updater: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... OFT-UPDATE

Regards,

James

[willf]

Thanks, James.
I probably should have mentioned that when I got the machine I did a full reformat and installed XP Professional, which was only about two months ago. Should I try a reinstallation of XP again? Or should I install 2000 and then upgrade?
I'm willing to go through the process, but I'm just wondering if that will actually fix the problem.
Thanks again for your help.
Will

[JHEM]

If you're alrready running a (relatively) clean install of XP, I wouldn't bother reinstalling at this point, but have you run the Software Updater?

Regards,

James

[storage_man]

Try the following procedure. The reason I suggest it is that it sounds like Windows has been trying to add an additional USB device but is having problems.

Unplug ALL USB devices.
Open Device Manager.
View, Show Hidden Devices.
Uninstall all devices under USB Controllers.
Uninstall all devices under Storage Volumes. Say no to any reboot prompts until you are finished. Also, if a Storage Volume doesn't uninstall, ignore it and move to the next one.
If you have a yellow ? with unknown devices, uninstall all of the entries there as well.

When this is done, reboot TWICE.

Reconnect the USB devices and see if they're recognized properly.

Good Luck

Storage_man

[willf]

I have, yes. I believe everything is updated. I'm not currently at the machine, but I will be later and will run the updater again, just to be absolutely certain it's not in fact a driver issue.
I'll report back later.
Thanks.

[willf]

Thanks. I'll try the USB un/reinstall this evening and report back.

[willf]

So I un/reinstalled the USB drivers and it seems to have fixed the problem, at least somewhat. I was able to get the USB devices working correctly.
However, the machine is still cutting off when I unplug and the plug in a USB device. The computer actually goes completely blank and stays off (with no power/battery indicator lights) and won't turn back on for a few minutes. Any idea what could be causing this?
Also, I keep getting the error message "The Handle is Invalid" when I try to have Software Installer update my drivers with "retrieve latest information from the internet box checked." I uninstalled and reinstall Software Installer, but it still won't let me on.
Thanks again for all the help.