T40 "USB Device Not Recognized" hardware issue?

[sunkssss]

For the past two days I've been struggling with an issue concerning the USB ports on my thinkpad. I've reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled windows, yet the same problem persists:

"One of the USB Devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."

This bubble pops up on the taskbar approximately once every second, yet I have no USB devices plugged into the computer. The problem may have started when I detached my external harddrive after I thought I had clicked the safely remove hardware button. Perhaps I removed the harddrive too soon, however. I've tried powering down the laptop and removing the battery, and draining any power left by holding the power button. I'm not really sure what else is left, other than labeling the problem hardware related and just giving up. There is no warranty left, and I've had the MB replaced before because of USB issues. If anybody has any suggestions (i.e. opening up the MB, and cleaning the USB ports, etc.) I would really appreciate it. This problem really seems quite intolerable, and I'll have to scrap the computer because I don't quite see how I can get any work done with this bubble perpetually popping up.

[richk]

Unplugging a device too early does not damage the port. Try going to device manager (control panel/administrative tools \computer management. Click on the USB controller and uninstall. Then restart the machine to sense the device. See if that clears it up.

[sunkssss]

The USB ports still "work", they can charge my devices and I can still read and write information off of my external harddrive. I have uninstalled all USB controllers and it does make the bubble go away, but as soon as I restart the bubble is back. It's really quite a conundrum the way I see it. Another thing to note, when I am in the device manager, it refreshes itself as often as the bubble pops up, which is also quite a pain.

[richk]

Do you have a bluetooth modem? That could be the problem, as that processes thru the USB bus. I will send you a private message, in case you don't look at the forum frequently.

[sunkssss]

Thanks for the PM, but I don't have a blue tooth modem. I did open the keyboard and bezel to see if I saw any obvious flaws near the USB port, but there weren't so I closed everything up. However, now that I've reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled all software and drivers, my atheros wifi card won't pick up any signals. It is constantly powered up, and when I open Access Connections it says it is powered off although the green LED is lit up. Any idea what could be causing this problem?

[richk]

Did the re-install fix the USB problem? Make sure you have the latest driver. I think this is the one you need:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... wc39ww.exe

[sunkssss]

No, the re-install did not fix the USB problem. I tried that driver, but it still doesn't solve the issue. It's funny because the LED is constantly lit, but when I start up Access Connections it says the card is off, and asks to turn it on. But still it doesn't pick up any signals.

[richk]

Remove the card and see if that affects USB

[sunkssss]

I've removed the wifi card, but the USB issue still persists. I'm puzzled though why the wifi won't work. Luckily I have a spare USB wifi dongle.

[richk]

I have no more suggestions right now. You may need an exorcism. Call a priest.

[Likvid]

This exact thing happened on my old T21.

IBM told me when i serviced it that it was a hardware failure in the chip.

[sunkssss]

What a bummer... I've switched to Ubuntu, but now it takes an immensely long time to boot - because of the USB issue. Something about a "device descriptor error -7 or -9". Anyhow, I'm also having issues trying to get my display drivers installed - I tried ENVY, but it doesn't get my resolution to work upon reboot. I have a Radeon 7500, any ideas?

Bump.