T40 HI-SPEED USB problem back after system board replaced

[smc]

I recently had my T40 system board replaced due to the problem where USB 2.0 Hi speed devices are only recognized as 1.1. With the new system board everything worked fine for about a week then it started happening again.

The problem is intermittent, sometimes a device will function at high speed, then all of a sudden it drops to low speed. I thought I had ruled out every possible software configuration and the IBM support person agreed that it was a hardware problem. I haven't made any OS updates since before the board swap.

Has anyone had this problem come back after having their system board replaced? My next step is to reimage the hard drive back to factory configuration to completely rule out software. Is this dust? Some USB device shorting out the controller chip?

[draco2527]

Well, if you send it back to Solectron.....

Under the memory door (base of unit) if there is no memory installed, you should be able to see the system serial number (DO NOT USE THE ONE UNDER THE BIOS, if your board has been replace; it could be unreliable). Write the number down, when the unit comes back, double check the number, here is the reason why....

1- Sometimes they repair your original board.......
2- Yes, if they replace your system board; the replacement is more then likely a refurb...but I think they might spend a little extra time with a refurb board then trying to rush your board


I would also look at the devices that you are using, if the device attached to the USB is using power from the port to operate, it could be sucking too much juice and blowing the port......

[smc]

Thanks for the insight on looking under the memory door for the board serial number, I presume that IBM copies over the same serial in the BIOS if they swap over boards. I am fine with either a repair to the original board or a refurb swap as long as it's fixed.

I don't understand why the USB port just doesn't shutdown instead of burn out in an overcurrent/overvoltage situation. And it's strange that USB 1.1 continues to work. I also noticed that it's predominately T40s which run into this, maybe IBM changed this in later designs?

Guess it's back to Solectron...

[egibbs]

By any chance do you have any USB 1.1 devices connected? My understanding (third-hand, possibly wrong) is that the controller will only operate in 2.0 mode if all devices are 2.0 - it can't handle some devices as 1.1 and some as 2.0.

Ed Gibbs

[smc]

Yes I do have mixed USB 1.1 and 2.0 devices but the problem also occurs when there are only USB 2.0 devices attached.

Tapping on the underside of the USB ports seems to restore it to USB 2.0 functionality briefly, I think that rules out any software/OS/driver problems. IBM/Lenovo is going to take another look at it.