Hi - to answer
1 - yes, they all work fine on another PC - in fact on all other PCs
2 - USB port power - it is only a USB flash drive or USB memory stick thingy
3 - no ding dongs; just a message saying that this USB device has malfunctioned
4 - I'll give that a go - the machine is not here so it will be a day or so.
thanks!
OK. Do try drivecleanup tool and here's some more info that might be useful (based on the above answers)
1. Are you having problems with
just the memory stick thingy or with a variety of USB storage devices? (if just the one thingy, it might, itself, be bad)
2. USB 2.0 spec defines two types of USB devices
> Low powered (need up to 100mA)
> Hi powered (need up to 500mA)
External HDDs, cameras and
some flash drives (e.g. the SanDisk U3 Cruzer flash) are hi powered devices
Problem you describe may also occur when the device requires more power then the USB port can provide. So also check for m/b jumper options that affect the USB ports.
In addition, it may just be the device exceeds spec and sometimes (especially) laptops, the m/b just isn't delivering the 500mA spec. I found the following solution to help: buy an external USB hub with ports that exceed the 500mA spec. I bought a Targus ACH81 hub which provides a total 7-ports, 2 of them supply 1000mA. And i have a WD Passport that is flaky on some different computers / ports but it never fails when i connect it to a Targus 1000mA port.
Also, one other general thing to try is reinstalling both USB controllers and motherboard drivers on the problem computer. See [post=751005]How to Reinstall Your USB Controllers and Motherboard Chipset Drivers[/post]
