Strange Kingston USB issue
- Thread starter Ritwik7
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LookinAround
Posts: 6,429 +186
@Archean
Thanks for the update. And very happy to hear you have things working again!
@Ritwik7
Hey Ritwik! Thanks for your update as well! and the result when you used a hub. I have a theory!
I forget the full history of your thread, so if this doesn't apply, ignore it as my theory below is pure speculation and best guess based on your hub results
1. I'm going to guess your USB hub is "self-powered" meaning it comes with its own AC adapter?
2. In which case, the problem might be
If this makes sense, two ways you might check it
Anyway, just a guess here (if it might apply or you ever have a chance to test with a Y cable would be curious the result)
In any case, hope you All have Happy Computing ahead!
/* edit */
And like i said, i forget the full thread history (and too lazy to re-read it all So if you already tried the Y cable or something similar already, you can ignore this theory/guess!
Thanks for the update. And very happy to hear you have things working again!
@Ritwik7
Hey Ritwik! Thanks for your update as well! and the result when you used a hub. I have a theory!
I forget the full history of your thread, so if this doesn't apply, ignore it as my theory below is pure speculation and best guess based on your hub results
1. I'm going to guess your USB hub is "self-powered" meaning it comes with its own AC adapter?
2. In which case, the problem might be
- in the device power provided by your computer's USB ports (which may fall short of spec)
- And/or the power consumption by the Kingston pen drive (which may exceed spec) I've seen other devices exceed USB power spec - most notably those WD portable drives that people often find failing
If this makes sense, two ways you might check it
- Possibly measure the power on each USB port? (don't know how though - I'm basically a software guy )
- Get one of those USB Y cables to provide power to that Kingston drive directly from two of your USB ports (not just one)
Anyway, just a guess here (if it might apply or you ever have a chance to test with a Y cable would be curious the result)
In any case, hope you All have Happy Computing ahead!
/* edit */
And like i said, i forget the full thread history (and too lazy to re-read it all
So if you already tried the Y cable or something similar already, you can ignore this theory/guess!
LookinAround
Posts: 6,429 +186
If the same ports seem to work fine with the Kingston drive under Linux, then i would agree is not likely a USB power issue. But i'll add the following as both fyi and for whatever it's worth (including my own example of quirky hardware below!)
1. I bought a USB hub myself sometime back. Specifically, a 7-port Targus ACH81, where two of its 7 ports provide 1000mA (vs. the 500mA USB standard). I've since found some quirky USB devices (including a friend's flaky WD Passport drive) perform much better (and much more rarely with problems) when i plug them into the 1000mA ports on the Targus
2. As to quirky hardware: I bought a new Samsung TV/monitor combo and an Radeon HD 5450 adapter. When i played sound over HDMI (so it was through the Samsung monitor built-in speakers) i discovered the 1st second of sound playback was being cut off over HDMI!
I since discovered, whatever the problem was some unique combination of that Samsung monitor with the HD 5450
> When i replaced the HD 5450 the sound worked on the monitor
> When i replaced the monitor with a different model of monitor (and still using the same HD 5450) the sound also worked!
> AND! when i returned the monitor to the store they also re-tested on different computer over HDMI and all worked fine!
Dang computers!!! LOL :haha: Sometimes ya just can't figure them out!
1. I bought a USB hub myself sometime back. Specifically, a 7-port Targus ACH81, where two of its 7 ports provide 1000mA (vs. the 500mA USB standard). I've since found some quirky USB devices (including a friend's flaky WD Passport drive) perform much better (and much more rarely with problems) when i plug them into the 1000mA ports on the Targus
2. As to quirky hardware: I bought a new Samsung TV/monitor combo and an Radeon HD 5450 adapter. When i played sound over HDMI (so it was through the Samsung monitor built-in speakers) i discovered the 1st second of sound playback was being cut off over HDMI!
I since discovered, whatever the problem was some unique combination of that Samsung monitor with the HD 5450
> When i replaced the HD 5450 the sound worked on the monitor
> When i replaced the monitor with a different model of monitor (and still using the same HD 5450) the sound also worked!
> AND! when i returned the monitor to the store they also re-tested on different computer over HDMI and all worked fine!
Dang computers!!! LOL :haha: Sometimes ya just can't figure them out!
LookinAround
Posts: 6,429 +186
One more tidbit....
I have no idea how this might play into the "mix" but i had a nagging memory about USB power so looked up this link here which summarizes some info i recalled about USB power that may at least be an interesting read
Be sure to read the section under Power. The gist
I also wonder (admittedly, i dunno, but wouldn't be surprised) if external self-powered hubs simply supply their max power to a device??? anyone make a guess? I'm just wondering the fact that Targus and some other hubs can provide 1000mA of power and work better with some devices???
Anyway, just some more random thoughts and points of info..
I have no idea how this might play into the "mix" but i had a nagging memory about USB power so looked up this link here which summarizes some info i recalled about USB power that may at least be an interesting read
Be sure to read the section under Power. The gist
- USB devices "tell the computer" how much power they need (in increments of 100mA)
- I don't think is in the article, but remember that Windows starts providing USB power at the minimum default 100mA value. 100mA is supposed to be sufficient to power a USB device so it can identify itself to Windows over USB bus. A device can subsequently request more power after identifying itself
- So i suppose a faulty device, faulty device firmware or different drivers under Windows or Linux or other OS may then theoretically also cause different results for different devices and under different OS resulting in providing different power levels for different hardware/firmware/OS combinations
I also wonder (admittedly, i dunno, but wouldn't be surprised) if external self-powered hubs simply supply their max power to a device??? anyone make a guess? I'm just wondering the fact that Targus and some other hubs can provide 1000mA of power and work better with some devices???
Anyway, just some more random thoughts and points of info..
Archean
Posts: 5,650 +102
Indeed.
This computer at work, freezes up for no apparent reason with no error message, or anything in the Event Viewer (its an HP DX7510MT) if power saving is on, it happens very rarely though. However, if the power saving options are set only for display etc. it works flawlessly forever. I've tried so many things so far, all the hardware tests, PSU voltage checking etc., HDD tests and what not.
I suspect its not an OS issue, so yes Computers ................. :evil:
This computer at work, freezes up for no apparent reason with no error message, or anything in the Event Viewer (its an HP DX7510MT) if power saving is on, it happens very rarely though. However, if the power saving options are set only for display etc. it works flawlessly forever. I've tried so many things so far, all the hardware tests, PSU voltage checking etc., HDD tests and what not.
I suspect its not an OS issue, so yes Computers ................. :evil:
LookinAround
Posts: 6,429 +186
Scorecard
Dang Computers: 3
Frazzled Humans: 0
Symbols on the backs of the respective team jerseys
IMHO: Sometimes I think i should just give up and forfeit the game!! <G>
Dang Computers: 3
Frazzled Humans: 0
Symbols on the backs of the respective team jerseys
- On the backs of "their" team jerseys: Dang Computers :evil: :haha:
- While on the backs of "our" own team jerseys: Frazzled Humans :blackeye: :monkey:
IMHO: Sometimes I think i should just give up and forfeit the game!! <G>
LookinAround
Posts: 6,429 +186
I have to abstain on this one. Don't know the answer. "Me speakee limited Hardware language"
Archean
Posts: 5,650 +102
While thinking about the issue at hand, I remembered that an relatively easy but 'laborious' workaround for this issue do exist, i.e. cleaning the PCBs (i.e. motherboard / graphic card etc.) with either petrol soaked clothing or with eraser (must be big one !!), both of these methods can remove carbon/salt deposits which occurs due to humidity, and I have tested both in the past, but as it was long time ago, I almost forgot about them . Only problem is, you have to do the cleaning again and again and again ..... after a while. I don't know how much a good de-humidifier will cost, but that is another alternative (suggested by Mathew).
. Only problem is, you have to do the cleaning again and again and again ..... after a while. I don't know how much a good de-humidifier will cost, but that is another alternative (suggested by Mathew).- Status
