My own computer issue...

[Head Mutant]

Since Pooly posts his here for tech support, I shall do the same.

I run XP Media Center Edition (I know, I know...), and with a single exception, my computer runs great. The only problem is that it's steadfastly refusing to run any USB attachments, such as flashdrives, cameras and (worst of all) my iPod.

I've run circles with the Dell people, who insist it's a problem on the behalf of these products. I've pointed out to them that it's a wide range of USB devices, all reacting the same way:

(1) I plug said device in.
(2) The "Found New Hardware" wizard pops up.
(3) It asks for the driver, and cannot find it if I select the "search and install automatically" function.
(4) Exit wizard, USB device does not work.

I even have the iPod disk with the drivers on it, and the wizard doesn't find anything on the CD to use.

Now Dell says that because the wizard pops up, the machine at least does recognize the devices, and I think that's true. I had the motherboard replaced on a suspicion, so I'm fairly certain it's not the hardware.

What I've come to conclude is that it boils down to drivers that should already be included with Windows XP as standard, but somehow they're missing, or that something's missing in XP that keeps it from recognizing the drivers.

SanDisk (flash drive folk) troubleshooters confirmed that Windows XP should automatically detect the flash drive driver ON THE DEVICE and pull it off of the drive to install automatically; it does not do so.

My iPod shows up in the Device Manager, only with a yellow bang (!) by it, telling me that the drivers are not installed (even though I have iTunes on the 'puter already).

I have since:

- Updated every and all drivers related to this computer that I could get my hands on, including all of the ones on the Dell site.
- Updated the BIOS
- Gotten the Windows XP MCE CDs and tried to have the computer find the drivers on them, but no dice

I have not:

- Been able to find drivers for the USB Universal Host Controllers, which a scan of my computer using a program that scans for outdated drivers, senses that I need to upgrade.

My problem:

- Dell tells me that it's not their problem (of course), and that I should go ahead and reinstall Windows.
- This is easier suggested than done -- at this point I have this computer set up with dozens of new programs and files that would be hard to impossible to back up, particularly without the help of a flash drive, and I'm very concerned about losing them. I'd much rather resolve this without a full wipe and reinstall.

So please, ask any questions and give advice. Ask any friends if you'd think they'd know something. Much appreciated. And if you know where I can get the Intel USB drivers from, please pipe up.

[Head Mutant]

Ah, and as a weird addendum to this affair, I will say that there ARE 3 USB devices plugged in and functioning: the mouse, keyboard and the wireless router for the cable modem. All of these three devices were plugged in on the first day I had this computer, and they gave me no problem whatsoever.

[PoolMan]

The three functioning devices you have don't surprise me in the least; mouse, keyboard, and modem are basically the Trilogy of Vanilla when it comes to what drivers ARE built into WinXP. In fact, they're probably built into the BIOS of the motherboard, particularly the keyboard, or how would you get to Setup at the POST screen?

The path you've gone down sounds like a collection of sensible steps to me. I understand the pain you're facing on reinstalling the OS, but... Media Center? Oh Justin, why? I'd have to agree with the tech reps, nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Can you post the mobo model number?

[Head Mutant]

No choice with the MCE... Dell installs it standard nowadays, and I didn't have any experience with it prior to getting this computer. I also don't have any regular XP discs lying around.

I'll get that number to ya when I get home.

Again, I know it's an easier-said-than-done suggestion to just wipe and start over, but I refuse to give in at this point. If I was having multiple issues and repeated crashes, then sure, no questions asked... but everything works *great* except for the USB driver thing.

I'm not so worried about backing up regular files, but there's quite a few programs that I would definitely lose without being able to restore (having gotten them online and I have no receipts for them), plus crapload of settings that are tweaked just so, plus I have -no- idea how Comcast set up the modem, as they came and installed their own software and settings, and thus I'd lose internet for at least a day and perhaps as long as a week.

Last resort, I might just do this, or I might wait 'till Vista and go that route since I'd have to fully reinstall everything anyway. I'd just appreciate any other suggestions than reinstall XP, and any clue as to the location of the rebel base... er, USB controller drivers.

[Spiderdancer]

I echo Pooly - what kind of motherboard are we talking?

If it has Via drivers, I'd have to go with the suggestion regarding nuclear weapons. Sorry. A repair install is supposed to spare your existing programs, but... It's not exactly 100% reliable.

[Head Mutant]

My brother in law is a computer tech, and he's going to hunker down with me this weekend to work on it. Worst comes to worst, he's going to send me XP (no MCE) from Dell, and I'll just have to suck down the pain.