USB Drive not recognized - Driving me crazy!!!

Hi Jim,

To answer your questions, yes indeed I have always uninstalled the Canon
drivers before trying another solution. I have also always exited ALL
application software running on my computer including the windows firewall
and AV program (Trend Micro Internet Security 2007). The only thing I
haven't disabled is my Internet connection and that goes through a Router to
my DSL connection. There could be a hardware firewall on the Router that I
haven't taken into consideration though. Hum ... maybe I should think about
that.

I was told (or read in a forum) if the system accepts the Enhanced USB
Controller when drivers are loaded for the PCI to USB Controller Card
(4-external USB Ports) then there is no problem with the MB communicating
with the USB 2.0 controller. My Device Manager shows me that the Enhanced
USB Controller driver is present and reports that it is running without
problems. Ha !!

This freeware that you mentioned, is the name of it "IIRC" ? If so, then
I'll use Google to find a download for me.

Yesterday I downloaded 5 flash BIOS updates from Dell and have performed all
5 updates. My BIOS was at version A03 (never updated since I bought the
computer in 2002) and I saw that the latest version offered by Dell was A09.
They warned me not to try to update from 03 directly to 09 because it can
cause some serious problems. I went through each flash update one step at a
time. Haven't had a chance to see if these updates make any difference in
being able to access my printer but will try to get to this in a few days. I
really doubt seriously that the BIOS updates will make any difference.

As far as the Scanner working and the Printer not, this doesn't strike me as
strange at all. The scanner has it's own device driver and is not using the
same driver as the printer installs. Besides that, the two problem printer
driver files that MS admits is causing the problems due to "Enhanced USB
Controller specification violations" (described in MS Knowledge Base article:
KB892050), have nothing to do with the scanner drivers (or at least I think
not).

Jim, unfortunately I don't think that MS is going to be coming up with a fix
for this WinXP-SP2 problem anytime in the near future. They suggested that I
wait until Service Pack 3 is released but that can be a long, long wait. In
the meantime this Canon device is just sitting on my desktop occupying space.
At least I can use it as a copy machine and a scanner. I haven't even tried
the Fax capabilities yet.

I can understand your frustrations with MicroSoft because I share your
opinion; however, having said that all of the reviews from beta testers as
well as computer resellers and journalists have been very positive for the
Vista product. Sure, there will be a few bugs that have to be patched
however I've read that Vista protects it's kernel much better than any of
it's previous operating systems. It's safe to say that WinXP (Home Edition
anyway) had little or no protection of the kernel and that's why we all got
hundreds of "critical security updates" from MS since it's inception. Hell,
I still get two or three per week and I doubt if it's going to get any better.

As far a Vista goes, I'm really not interested one bit in the new bells and
whistles, 3-D user interfaces and/or the media enhancements. I watch media
programs on my TV, not on my computer. All I want is an O/S that is stable,
has "graceful degradation" error handling built in and is capable of handling
"new" products and devices being introduced to the public as we speak.

Regarding the price of Vista, I will attempt to get it in the Update version
(some $ less expensive than the full, blown - standalone version) and also
I'll try to get it at the "Student/Teacher Discount" (many more $ cheaper).
Honestly, I don't understand why anyone would pay the full price for this
product. Sooner or later (not in the near future but it'll come) MS will
stop supporting the WinXP platforms and one will have to update their O/S.
Come to think of it, it would appear that they're not putting a great amount
of effort into supporting WinXP right now !!! Wouldn't you agree ??

I'll let you know if my BIOS updates fix the USB printer problem but I'm not
holding my breath. Also, I'll keep watching this thread to see if you get
any satisfaction from your PC gurus !! Have a nice day, Jim and try to smile
even if it hurts a bit.

P.S. Pardon my ignorance but you mentioned "Oz" in your post. Where
exactly in the world is this ? I moved over here to Munich, Germany from
California almost 23 years ago so I'm a bit out-of-it when it comes to
abbreviations for world-wide locations.

Best regards,
--
Phil Davis


"Jim Cladingboel" wrote:

> Hi Phil,
>
> Due to the Christmas break, I missed the current magazine issue and will
> have to wait for the next, due abt 1st February. I had hoped for an email
> response - but perhaps those experts are having a problem too!
>
> I have a Canon MP800 and it works perfectly on any of my USB ports, altho
> only at USB 1.0 level, which isn't really a problem for printing.
> Have you tried _ fully_ deleting the printer software and reloading the
> Canon Drivers? I would guess that's more likely to be your problem,
> especially as the scanner section is working. It mught be a good idea to
> switch off AV and firewall software when you do that.
> IIRC, there's a bit of freeware which checks that your USB ports are
> working. You should find it on Google and it might reassure you about the
> motherboard handling your PCI to USB controller card
>
> As to Vista I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. (A) It will be full of
> bugs and (B) Why give in and at the same time add to Bill's billions?
> Good luck, I'll keep you informed of any developments.
>
> Jim.
>

Hi Phil,
First, IIRC is an abbreviation for If I Recall Correctly, and Oz is
Australia. Sorry.
I had that USB program on my PC before I upgraded to XP in November, so I'll
try on Google myself.
As to your USB problem, you've obviously tried everything. Having an
Enhanced USB Controller in your System's Device Manager doesn't mean much.
I have one in mine, and I can't get USB 2.0 to work from the motherboard
ports or the PCI to USB Host card. You are stuck up the same dead end as I
am.

What do you think of a new posting addressed to all MSVPs asking for some of
their research/knowledge of this problem? Perhaps there is a new Vista USB
2.0 driver which XP will actually recognise - just for a change. As you say,
it's affecting a whole lot of people out there.
My ideal O/S is the one you describe, but it might never happen.

Looking on Google just now, I came across this Question & Aswer :
Q: How do I ensure that my USB 2.0 devices work on Windows XP?
A: QFE 4 for HCT 10.0 includes tests to ensure that USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
devices and USB EHCI host controllers work properly with Windows XP.

Does this mean anything to you? Perhaps an MSVP could explain it.

Best wishes, Jim.



"Phil Davis" <PhilDavis.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F8B29E7C-530B-4B65-AE15-A6E7B03C993E@microsoft.com...
> Hi Jim,
>
> To answer your questions, yes indeed I have always uninstalled the Canon
> drivers before trying another solution. I have also always exited ALL
> application software running on my computer including the windows firewall
> and AV program (Trend Micro Internet Security 2007). The only thing I
> haven't disabled is my Internet connection and that goes through a Router
> to
> my DSL connection. There could be a hardware firewall on the Router that
> I
> haven't taken into consideration though. Hum ... maybe I should think
> about
> that.
>
> I was told (or read in a forum) if the system accepts the Enhanced USB
> Controller when drivers are loaded for the PCI to USB Controller Card
> (4-external USB Ports) then there is no problem with the MB communicating
> with the USB 2.0 controller. My Device Manager shows me that the Enhanced
> USB Controller driver is present and reports that it is running without
> problems. Ha !!
>
> This freeware that you mentioned, is the name of it "IIRC" ? If so, then
> I'll use Google to find a download for me.
>
> Yesterday I downloaded 5 flash BIOS updates from Dell and have performed
> all
> 5 updates. My BIOS was at version A03 (never updated since I bought the
> computer in 2002) and I saw that the latest version offered by Dell was
> A09.
> They warned me not to try to update from 03 directly to 09 because it can
> cause some serious problems. I went through each flash update one step at
> a
> time. Haven't had a chance to see if these updates make any difference in
> being able to access my printer but will try to get to this in a few days.
> I
> really doubt seriously that the BIOS updates will make any difference.
>
> As far as the Scanner working and the Printer not, this doesn't strike me
> as
> strange at all. The scanner has it's own device driver and is not using
> the
> same driver as the printer installs. Besides that, the two problem
> printer
> driver files that MS admits is causing the problems due to "Enhanced USB
> Controller specification violations" (described in MS Knowledge Base
> article:
> KB892050), have nothing to do with the scanner drivers (or at least I
> think
> not).
>
> Jim, unfortunately I don't think that MS is going to be coming up with a
> fix
> for this WinXP-SP2 problem anytime in the near future. They suggested
> that I
> wait until Service Pack 3 is released but that can be a long, long wait.
> In
> the meantime this Canon device is just sitting on my desktop occupying
> space.
> At least I can use it as a copy machine and a scanner. I haven't even
> tried
> the Fax capabilities yet.
>
> I can understand your frustrations with MicroSoft because I share your
> opinion; however, having said that all of the reviews from beta testers as
> well as computer resellers and journalists have been very positive for the
> Vista product. Sure, there will be a few bugs that have to be patched
> however I've read that Vista protects it's kernel much better than any of
> it's previous operating systems. It's safe to say that WinXP (Home
> Edition
> anyway) had little or no protection of the kernel and that's why we all
> got
> hundreds of "critical security updates" from MS since it's inception.
> Hell,
> I still get two or three per week and I doubt if it's going to get any
> better.
>
> As far a Vista goes, I'm really not interested one bit in the new bells
> and
> whistles, 3-D user interfaces and/or the media enhancements. I watch
> media
> programs on my TV, not on my computer. All I want is an O/S that is
> stable,
> has "graceful degradation" error handling built in and is capable of
> handling
> "new" products and devices being introduced to the public as we speak.
>
> Regarding the price of Vista, I will attempt to get it in the Update
> version
> (some $ less expensive than the full, blown - standalone version) and also
> I'll try to get it at the "Student/Teacher Discount" (many more $
> cheaper).
> Honestly, I don't understand why anyone would pay the full price for this
> product. Sooner or later (not in the near future but it'll come) MS will
> stop supporting the WinXP platforms and one will have to update their O/S.
> Come to think of it, it would appear that they're not putting a great
> amount
> of effort into supporting WinXP right now !!! Wouldn't you agree ??
>
> I'll let you know if my BIOS updates fix the USB printer problem but I'm
> not
> holding my breath. Also, I'll keep watching this thread to see if you get
> any satisfaction from your PC gurus !! Have a nice day, Jim and try to
> smile
> even if it hurts a bit.
>
> P.S. Pardon my ignorance but you mentioned "Oz" in your post. Where
> exactly in the world is this ? I moved over here to Munich, Germany from
> California almost 23 years ago so I'm a bit out-of-it when it comes to
> abbreviations for world-wide locations.
>
> Best regards,
> --
> Phil Davis
>
>
> "Jim Cladingboel" wrote:
>
>> Hi Phil,
>>
>> Due to the Christmas break, I missed the current magazine issue and will
>> have to wait for the next, due abt 1st February. I had hoped for an
>> email
>> response - but perhaps those experts are having a problem too!
>>
>> I have a Canon MP800 and it works perfectly on any of my USB ports, altho
>> only at USB 1.0 level, which isn't really a problem for printing.
>> Have you tried _ fully_ deleting the printer software and reloading the
>> Canon Drivers? I would guess that's more likely to be your problem,
>> especially as the scanner section is working. It mught be a good idea
>> to
>> switch off AV and firewall software when you do that.
>> IIRC, there's a bit of freeware which checks that your USB ports are
>> working. You should find it on Google and it might reassure you about
>> the
>> motherboard handling your PCI to USB controller card
>>
>> As to Vista I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. (A) It will be full of
>> bugs and (B) Why give in and at the same time add to Bill's billions?
>> Good luck, I'll keep you informed of any developments.
>>
>> Jim.
>>
>