Laptop USB is dying

[marcel808]

hi
I have a Dell m1330, about 3 years old now. It only has 2 USB ports but now I keep getting USB related error messages. Sometimes its "your usb ports could perform faster" other times its "usb device not recognised".
Its happening more and more; any have a great idea what I can do? WIthout usb I'm gonna struggle but don;t really want to buy a new laptop. Maybe a docking station or some kind of external usb device (using wifi or something?!!?)
Any ideas appreciated
thanks
cel

[vti_786]

hmm, sometimes you may find that the usb ports are independent, you may be able to just replace the usb port, not sure though.

you can just get usb adaptors to make 1 port into 4

[marcel808]

thanks vti_786
I will test both ports, maybe on is more reliable than the other and I could use a hub. And I'll maybe open it up and see if its something I can replace

[Behemoth]

Have you tried re-installing your operating system ? Saw this once before on a Dell laptop. Turned out to be a corruption in some of the core windows files.

However if it is the USB controller itself evena hub won't fix this.

[marcel808]

thanks Behemoth. I'll try a reinstall, hopefully its the drivers

[SLS]

"could perform faster" sounds like you're a USB 1.1 ... yeuch. I'd just stick a USB expansion card in, USB3 is out now, why not future proof yourself?

[nonstandard]

Dell M1330 has an Express-card slot doesn't it? If your USB controller is really dying (the one on my old IBM T41 died in a similar way - fell back to USB1.1), you could put an Express-card USB controller in there. You might even find a USB 3.0 one like SLS says. Cheaper than a new laptop...

[peterb]

"could perform faster" sounds like you're a USB 1.1 ... yeuch. I'd just stick a USB expansion card in, USB3 is out now, why not future proof yourself?

Dell M1330 has an Express-card slot doesn't it? If your USB controller is really dying (the one on my old IBM T41 died in a similar way - fell back to USB1.1), you could put an Express-card USB controller in there. You might even find a USB 3.0 one like SLS says. Cheaper than a new laptop...

Indeed!

TYou might want to look at something like these...

http://www.usbnow.co.uk/p1961/SOHOUS...duct_info.html

2 port USB 3

http://www.usbnow.co.uk/p379/Apiotek...duct_info.html

4 port USB 2

I have used this company (but have no affiliation or connection other than as a customer) - good service.