After Win XP SP2 Upgrade, T41 USB 2 port runs at slow speed

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coreman · #1 Post by **coreman** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:56 pm

Last week I did the unthinkable, I updated Win XP Pro from SP1 to SP2...and at the same time, I upgraded all of the drivers, BIOS, embedded chip controllers...essentially anything the Lenovo tool said needed upgrading. I did this in response to MS announcement that they would no longer support SP1 after October.

Just prior to upgrading to SP2, I was having problems with my Hibernate/Standby mode (abruptly quit working and went into "Stop" mode every time I used it) and fixed that by updating the ATI video driver. This fix worked so well I thought it was a good time to go ahead and "oil the hinges" and "change the filter".

All seems okay except whenever I plug USB 2 device now I get "Device could run at faster speed if plugged into USB 2.0 port" (or something to that effect). But when I check my USB ports under Device Manager, I see that they are identified as USB2 and they are using latest drivers.

So I think it is something in the BIOS or Win XP...any ideas out there?

Thanks in advance....

coreman · #2 Post by **coreman** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:16 am

Still haven't found a solution...any ideas out there? I really don't want to return for new motherboard, problem started exactly in conjunction with my SP2 Upgrade/Lenovo Firmwares-BIOS updates. I am pretty certain it is a software issue but I can't find out how to fix it...I must be using wrong search terms...welcome any/all suggestions, really-really annoying.

Thanks,

cman

mariner09 · #3 Post by **mariner09** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:56 am

In windows, I never take those messages seriously. Is there an actual problem when you use a USB device? If I run my XP drive, I see the same thing on my T41, but have never experienced any performance problems or issues with any USB devices.

cmarti · #4 Post by **cmarti** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:02 am

coreman wrote:Still haven't found a solution...any ideas out there? I really don't want to return for new motherboard, problem started exactly in conjunction with my SP2 Upgrade/Lenovo Firmwares-BIOS updates. I am pretty certain it is a software issue but I can't find out how to fix it...I must be using wrong search terms...welcome any/all suggestions, really-really annoying.

Thanks,

cman

I would recommend an Xp Sp2 fresh install before donig anything else it doesn't make sense to me that it is an hardware problem, i am sure it is software related.

( Remember to backup everything that is valuable )

Wiz · #5 Post by **Wiz** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:39 pm

The company i work for use a lot of T4x models and a lot of the employees have the same problem as you describe. I also had the same problem on my T40 and a colleague of mine had the motherboard replaced, but the problem was still there. I don't know if it's a software or hardware problem, but seem like this is a common problem on some Thinkpad models. We have only seen this problem on T41 and T40 as far as i know.

Below is something i found on another Thinkpad website and cannot guarantee if the contents is accurate. They mention Linux below, but the company i work for use windows only and had the exact same problem.

Problem with USB 2.0

Problem description
On various (early?) T40 models, USB 2.0 may not function. Symptoms include inability to connect to USB 2.0 devices at USB 2.0 speeds, the "This device can perform faster" pop-up in Windows XP, device ID assignment error messages from the Linux kernel, and frequent reboots of the USB bus and connected devices.

This is happening on my T41 as well (now), so it's not just limited to early T40 models.

Affected Models
ThinkPad T40, T41

Solutions
This seems to be a hardware problem with the USB controller on Intel's chip or related electronics. Sending the laptop in for service may help.

coreman · #6 Post by **coreman** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:46 am

Thanks for the inputs...unfortunately I am certain the port is running slow since I just did Acronis backup to my USB HDD. Normally the full hard drive image takes ~1-1.5 hours, this time the backup took ~4 hours and the USB HDD transfer was at USB 1.1 speeds.

I'm considering the SP2 reinstall...I think it is in Windows, there was a similar technote on their website but I don't remember the details...all I know is it wasn't for Win XP SP2.

cmarti · #7 Post by **cmarti** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:17 pm

coreman wrote:Thanks for the inputs...unfortunately I am certain the port is running slow since I just did Acronis backup to my USB HDD. Normally the full hard drive image takes ~1-1.5 hours, this time the backup took ~4 hours and the USB HDD transfer was at USB 1.1 speeds.

I'm considering the SP2 reinstall...I think it is in Windows, there was a similar technote on their website but I don't remember the details...all I know is it wasn't for Win XP SP2.

Try the Xp pro fresh install after that install software installer and update all the required drivers.

Please post the results.

coreman · #8 Post by **coreman** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:13 pm

Just to let you know I am still hunting for other solutions. I really don't want to reload the OS...everytime I do those kind of actions, I get into more problems...there must be a simple solution to this somewhere...

c'man

smugiri · #9 Post by **smugiri** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:27 pm

The easy fix: Try updating your Chipset drivers.

T40/41 motherboard issues causing USB to throttle down to 1.1 speeds are a well documented problem. Start your search by looking for 'USB' in the T4x forum and then try google.

bigtiger · #10 Post by **bigtiger** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:55 pm

Have you checked the device manager? do you see any yellow marks? As said above, you may need to update the chip driver.

coreman · #11 Post by **coreman** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:17 am

I updated the chipset drivers; no luck...still get the "Device could run faster if...." message. I'm off to read through the Google links (Thanks).

This is really, really, really annoying...it wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't such a huge difference between 1.1 and 2.0. Backing up my laptop takes hours now...have to plan my day around transferring files now...

%&^^*&(@!!!

But thanks for all of the help so far!!

BTW- Device Manager says everything is working fine...and that I have all the latest drivers...

ed_vickery · #12 Post by **ed_vickery** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:31 am

I have the same problem. Did you find a solution? I have tried everything you have tried without any success. Chipset drivers, unistalling the hubs, undating device drivers - nothing works!

Please email me with help: ed_vickery@hotmail.com or eddie@mobdir.com

ed_vickery · #13 Post by **ed_vickery** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:31 am

I managed to fix it!

Basically I updated the driver.

Some how there were 3 driver options already in the list when I went to 'Update Driver' from 'Device manager'. I'm sure there was only 1 driver in the list when I initially tried this. I think that the Intel Chipset Update I triedbefore may have made a new USB 2 driver available. So I suggest installing this.

I updated the driver using the following process:

1) Right clicked on the USB 2.0 controller in Device Manager
2) Selected Properties
3) Selected 'Driver' Tab
4) Clicked 'Update Driver'
5) Selected 'No, not this time'
6) Selected '...specific location'
7) Selected 'Don't search...'

This is where there was a list of 3 drivers.
9) I selected the 3rd driver in the list, the one which isn't digitally signed. Also it contains the word 'USB2' not 'USB 2.0' in it's name.
10) Tested the USB 2 device and it's running at USB 2 speed!

Regards,

A happy Eddie!

coreman · #14 Post by **coreman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:54 pm

Eddie, you are a miracle worker!! Thanks so much! I knew it had to be a simple solution...I followed your instructions and just checked it, USB ports are back to normal!!

This is should go into FAQs or Sticky since I've found numerous complaints about this but no fixes until Eddie's...and there is nothing on the Lenovo site about this.

I wonder why the signed 2.0 driver doesn't work but the unsigned USB2 driver does work? Anybody understand this??

Again, my very grateful appreciation to Mr. Eddie...I was going to take my notebook in this week for repair, which takes a week, so I planned to start copying files over to my old T30 today but thought I would check this site one more time....and voila, you saved me a lot of headaches!!

Many thanks for posting your solution!!!!

C'man

ed_vickery · #15 Post by **ed_vickery** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:56 am

Your welcome Coreman. What are you doing in Taipei?!

coreman · #16 Post by **coreman** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:51 am

I work for a company that makes electronic components and we have many customers in Taiwan so I'm here helping them use our parts and servicing any needs they may have. It is certainly a very dynamic market!

Just a footnote to your solution, out of curiosity I went back and reinstalled the original "USB 2.0" driver using your process (loaded 1st driver rather than 3rd).

Now when I hook up a USB 2.0 device, I don't get the "This device could run faster if plugged into USB 2.0 port" message right away and the ports run at full speed.

I tested my USB 2 backup drive and did an incremental image with Acronis TrueImage 8.0 and it took only 30 minutes, which means my T41 is back to normal.

However several times today I've seen the "This device could run faster...." message literally flash up for less than a second each time without staying on. I then tested the USB devices, several thumbdrives and hard drive, and they are still running at hi speed.

Something is "funky" about this driver and/or the way it installs itself during the automatic install...I'm going to let it run for a few days and see what happens. If anything changes, I'll post back.

Again...MANY THANKS!! You DA MAN!!

C'man

ed_vickery · #17 Post by **ed_vickery** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 4:38 pm

Good to hear that you are doing well in Taipei.

Unfortunately that fix I managed earlier only lasted for one day. I just read your last posting before turning on my external HDD and woe and behold that [censored] annoying message, "this device could perform faster if attached to a USB 2.0" popped up. I tested my transfer speed hoping that it would still be HI-Speed as you say yours is, but no luck. It has reverted back to USB 1.1.

I am furious. I have spent days trying to fix it. I will call the IBM service line tomorrow which will cost a load of money but I cannot find any other solution for it and I do not want to waste any more time on trying to fix it. I have tried to repeat what I did before but the solution doesn't work anymore which confounds all logic.

I hope yours is still working fine. My bubble did not flash up for less than a second like yours but popped up and remained as it always had done. I had restarted my computer a few times and it had continued to work fine at USB 2.0 speeds. It's just suddenly today after reading your message that it stopped working. So I really don't understand what has caused it to stop working suddenly.

Have you found any other useful stuff to fix this problem on any other website?

ed_vickery · #18 Post by **ed_vickery** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 4:45 pm

I just re-read what you wrote and decided to reinstall the original USB 2.0 driver and it is now working at USB 2.0 speed again. Let's hope it stays fast. I'm scared about switching my computer on tomorrow as I reckon the disappointment of it going back to USB 1.1 again might lead to me chucking my laptop out of the window.

ed_vickery · #19 Post by **ed_vickery** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 5:18 pm

It's not working again. It disconnected itself and then reconnected with the same old problem. It seems to have a mind of its own.

Some more info on the topic here but haven't managed to find a solution there yet. It's a long thread...

Google Groups thread in microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics

Moderator edit: Shortened link

christopher_wolf · #20 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 5:18 pm

As the great Steve Wozniak said, "Never trust a computer that you can't throw out a window."

coreman · #21 Post by **coreman** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:53 pm

Eddie, my T41 is still running Hi Speed with the manually installed USB 2.0 driver, at least I think so. I plug in the external HDD and I don't get the "Device could perform faster..." message and I transferred ~600mB of files (music) to the HDD in ~ 45 secs.

I think you are definitely on the right track, especially since the ports have operated, albeit intermittently, at USB 2 speeds during the past few days. I think this is clearly a driver/software issue and not a motherboard problem.

However my research on the Web found a number of people who had this problem eventually took their TPs back to IBM (under warranty) and IBM replaced the mobo. After replacement, no problems.

Of course, one of the things replaced with mobos is BIOS...it may be significant for me that the same time I did the SP2 upgrade, I upgraded all the hardware drivers, BIOS, etc from the Lenovo site as well.

So my problem may have a different origin than your problem but your solution seems to have fixed my problem...at least for now.

With my luck, this fix will hold until (1) day after the warranty ends...

ed_vickery · #22 Post by **ed_vickery** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:17 am

I called the IBM helpline and an engineer basically told me that Thinkpad's come with a version of Windows already installed because it is a special Thinkpad version of Windows. Apparently you cannot just use any commercial version of Windows on your Thinkpad. 6 months ago I had some problems with my Thinkpad and so I reinstalled Windows XP using my brother's Windows XP installation CD. The engineer believes that this is the cause of the problem. He claims that the Windows' drivers are 'biting into' the preinstalled drivers and affecting the smooth running of the hardware. This may be the reason why it worked for just a few hours and then stopped working again. He is going to send me the factory Windows XP installation/rescue and recovery CDs so that I can do a OS reinstallation. But sod that. I do not want to waste 1 month of time reinstalling windows and all the software I will have lost just to save some time on the USB speed. I think it's time to give up. At least when I do need to reinstall windows again, I will have the right CDs to do it.

Which version of Windows do you have on your Thinkpad and did you reinstall it witha commercial Windows XP CD? If so, it might prove that engineer wrong as yours is still working ...I hope!

christopher_wolf · #23 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:17 pm

Most of what one needs for the IBM OEM Windows XP Preload is contained in the i386 folder under root and then other drivers, with their attached APIs and Software, in DRIVERS and IBMTOOLS. Sometimes these folders vary; there is also a guide here for taking a standard Windows XP image and then tweaking it to get 95% to 100% of all the IBM drivers on it.

Still, unless the Thinkpads use some really special and rare hardware for the internal interfacing with the USB 2.0 enabled ports, Windows should have the drivers to handle USB 2.0 operation. Although maybe these drivers have been optimized by IBM.

gkumar · #24 Post by **gkumar** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:11 am

Hi,

I'm glad that people are working actively on this problem! I've had this problem for the past year and a half. I also updated my drivers, BIOs, and Intel chipsets to the latest and greatest versions but the problem still persisted.

Over the summer I sent my laptop to IBM Servicing and they replaced my mobo thereby changing my laptop from a T40p 2373G5U to a T40p 2373G3U. IBM told me it was motherboard problem and with a new mobo, it should be resolved. However, after replugging my USB 2.0 devices such as my powered external hard drives, flash drives, etc., it's still at 1.1 speed with a tooltip bubble appearing and staying and says that it's not 2.0 as you mentioned.

I hope to send in my laptop again for servicing before my warranty expires this November to re-solve this problem. I am also doubtful it was a motherboard problem as well as the first replacement didn't help

I will try your solution and see if it works and keep you updated.

Thanks,
Ganesh

coreman · #25 Post by **coreman** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:15 am

ed_vickery wrote:Which version of Windows do you have on your Thinkpad and did you reinstall it witha commercial Windows XP CD? If so, it might prove that engineer wrong as yours is still working ...I hope!

I think the engineer is dead wrong in his assessment...there are too many instances of this problem on the internet. I am still using the installed OS, Win XP Pro. All I did was perform the recommended upgrades to SP2 as well as the recommended upgrades on the IBM/Lenovo site (including BIOS chipset).

I just checked my ports and they are still running at USB 2.0. I did find one funny problem yesterday and that was I couldn't "stop" my USB HDD because Windows thought a program was still accessing it. I uninstalled it from Device Manager, rebooted, and it is working fine now...continues at USB 2.0 speed (600mb transfer in ~45secs) but now "stops" when I use the "Safe to Remove Hardware" tool and I still am not getting the "This device could run faster if..." message.

GKumar, your story just backs up what I am convinced is the problem...software conflict only, nothing to do with hardware and it originates within either the SP2 upgrade or the IBM/Lenovo upgrades or both...

Can anyone recommend a program that tests the speed of the USB ports? I would like to get a hard measurement on my ports...

gkumar · #26 Post by **gkumar** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:02 am

I tried the solution fix mentioned above (updating drivers to USB2 driver rather than USB 2.0 driver). My USB ports are no longer active and can not detect simple devices like a mouse or keyboard.

I have the following items in my device manager's USB controllers for my two Thinkpad USB ports:
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24C2
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24C4
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24C7
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

I tried to update all of the above items with drivers that had USB2 designation but only one item had a USB2 moniker ("Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24CD") with unsigned drivers called "Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD".

The other Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controllers items don't seem to have the USB2 designation in the drivers. For instance for the 24C2 item, I've only the following drivers: "Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C" #1, "Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C" #2, and "Standard Universal PCI to USB Host Controller".

The USB Root Hub items only have "Root Hub" driver and nothing else. I noticed that the Root Hubs were tied in a one-to-one correspondence with the 3 "Universal Host Controllers" and not the "Enhanced Host Controller".

Is it normal to have these many items just for 2 USB Ports?

Do you have any other ideas on how to re-enable the USB ports without resorting to uninstalling all the drivers? If I uninstall all the drivers, Win XP will detect the changes and install the default USB 2.0 drivers which is slow a.k.a. 1.1 speed.

Any ideas? Help anyone?

#27 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:35 am

Take a look at this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=16849

coreman · #28 Post by **coreman** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:23 am

gkumar wrote: I have the following items in my device manager's USB controllers for my two Thinkpad USB ports:
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24C2
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24C4
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB Universal Controller - 24C7
Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

What is funny about this is the last item, Intel(R) 8280 1DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD (just above USB Root Hub), appears first in my list. Also this is the only driver that I updated to get my ports working again. I didn't touch the others listed...

However I followed Ed Vickery's procedure to manually select the drivers, including the "USB2" driver that was #3 in both my list and Ed's list, and replaced the "USB2.0" driver that was #1.

Now everything seems to work with either the "USB2" or "USB2.0".

pcsmart24 · #29 Post by **pcsmart24** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:28 am

Changing from the signed driver to the unsigned driver and then back again solved the problem for me. Now working at full 2.0 speed after 10+ reboots

coreman · #30 Post by **coreman** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:40 am

Well my ports just throttled back down to 1.1....so I did the same thing as pcsmart24, installed the unsigned and then the signed driver and they seem to be back to normal speed...at least that [censored] "This device could run faster..." message is gone.

Anyone know any software that can test speed of USB port?

After Win XP SP2 Upgrade, T41 USB 2 port runs at slow speed

After Win XP SP2 Upgrade, T41 USB 2 port runs at slow speed

USB 2.0 working only as USB 1.1

Fixed

Taipei

Very 'funky'

Following your advice...

Might have to open the window...

Thinkpad special version of Windows

I've also have this problem

Re: Thinkpad special version of Windows

Tried the solution fix and USB now doesn't work!

Re: Tried the solution fix and USB now doesn't work!

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