USB issues

[eatginger]

I'm having some issues connecting 'some' USB devices to my system...
I had a very cheep naff PCI wireless card in my PC and decided to get something that worked properly so I got a USB wireless dongle. Installed the drivers all working fine, then with no warning and at no articular time my system froze. No blue screen, no warning, nothing. So I got another USB wireless dongle by a different manufacturer and gave that a go... Same thing happened.
The thing is I use a USB mouse, and have done forever...
Also had the same issue when I borrowed a friends external HD.
I'm wondering if it could be the mobo...
oh and I've tried USB ports actually on the mobo and the ones wired in at the front of the case. I don't use USB all that much so this may be an old issue...
Any suggestions?
Cheers

[chrisg22]

I know this usually applies to pre-sp1 machines but have you tried updating your usb drivers and/or chipset drivers?

You didn't mention any specifics e.g. OS/mobo/etc, would be helpful if you could?

[dangel]

The USB stack in Windows XP is very prone to failure. By design, the stack can easily be toppled by just _one_ bad driver. My work PC (for example) will crash if I insert a USB key whilst windows is running, but work fine if I put the key in prior to boot up (as not all drivers are present until they are loaded). Replacing/uninstalling drivers might be the best route to try and find a solution.

It's one of the reasons why I really want Vista - the driver model is just so much better all round.

[eatginger]

mobo: ABIT AN8-V
OS: WinXP SP2 patched up to date
The wireless adaptors were a dlink something or other and a netgear something or other (not much help on that one sorry...)
I've updated the nforce drivers up to the latest ones and have tried numerous drivers for the USB devices. The funny thing is everything works fine for 'an amount' of time (the amount is random).
More of my system specs are in the 'My System' dropdown.
I've tried starting the machine with the devices already plugged in as well but to no avail.

[chrisg22]

Updated the BIOS? Just a wild guess.

**edit**
Just found this information out:
BIOS: an820.zip

Bios Issue Date:2006/01/19
Mirror Site: ASIA Europe US
BIOS ID:2.0


1. Support FX-60
2. Enhanced compatibility with certain USB devices
3. Enhanced compatibility with certain memories.
4. BIOS compiled date: 1/19/2006

From here.

[eatginger]

Have tried the BIOS update...

There are now options in the BIOS relating to USB queuing..? This is a little beyond me any ideas what the setting should be, or if it makes a difference?

Cheers

[chrisg22]

Not too sure about that one... I myself have only just got an abit motherboard, so I'll be checking mine out tonight. But I'll have a quick look through the manual and look out for USB Queuing.

Maybe its just best to see if the problem rears its ugly head again?