Via Epia Mii10000 USB

buurin · 06-19-2006, 02:18 PM

My USB is currently 'broken'...

I have a Via Epia MII10000. It has 2 USB ports on the back and I bought an USB hub which allowed me 4 ports. The hub is unpowered and has 2 USB cords going to the CPU, I assume for power.

Connected to the hub I have: GPS, WiFi, Touchscreen, and a USB extension cord for connecting memory sticks.

Recently the USB just stopped working after a reboot... My GPS mouse doesnt light up, my touchscreen doesnt work, and my WiFi doesnt work.

I connected the tocuhscreen and GPS directly to the onboard USB.. Neither worked. When I connect the hub to the onboard USB, the hub's LED lights up but as soon as I connect a device to the hub, the light dims, and if I connect two devices, the light essentially turns off. I dont know if it always did this or not.

Could I have connected too much to the USB and burnt it out? I say no because the mobo has an onboard connector to add 2 more front panel USB ports... I think. If I did burn it out, is there a fuse? Where?

Is there an option in BIOS to turn the USB on/off? I havent checked. Maybe it got turned off.

Thanks

DarquePervert · 06-19-2006, 02:34 PM

Naw. USB can handle up to 128 devices in a chain, so you're not burning it out or anything even close.
It's likely USB hub not getting powered so the devices aren't getting recognized.

I'd pick up some USB ports and conenct them to the extra USB headers ont eh motherboard to see if that is more stable for you.

RedGTiVR6 · 06-19-2006, 03:01 PM

sometimes there is an option in the BIOS, not sure on your MOBO

i would try getting a powered USB hub and see if it helps.

USB it's self does not cary that much current. Over the longer distances that the hub might add, it might not be able to push the current it needs to to all of the devices you are running.

maybe try a powered hub that's connected to an extension chord first before you hack into it?

buurin · 06-19-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Naw. USB can handle up to 128 devices in a chain, so you're not burning it out or anything even close.
It's likely USB hub not getting powered so the devices aren't getting recognized.

I'd pick up some USB ports and conenct them to the extra USB headers ont eh motherboard to see if that is more stable for you.

Each actual port must be limited though, no? Like I couldnt connect a hub with 128 ports to my usb and expect all devices to be powered.

Like i said, I connected the devices directly to the onboard rear USB and they were not powered or recognized... This takes the hub completely out of the equation. The problem is with the mobo.

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTI VR6

sometimes there is an option in the BIOS, not sure on your MOBO

i would try getting a powered USB hub and see if it helps.

USB it's self does not cary that much current. Over the longer distances that the hub might add, it might not be able to push the current it needs to to all of the devices you are running.

maybe try a powered hub that's connected to an extension chord first before you hack into it?

Again... I've taken the USB hub out of the equation by connecting directly to the onboard rear USB of the mobo.

I think both of your ideas would work well for debugging my hub.

88Vette · 06-19-2006, 08:01 PM

Go to My Computer>properties>hardware>device manager and see if your USB ports are still showing up.
Try deleting all the USB ports and then reboot and let Windows find them again for you. Then plug in a device and see if it is recognized.
Assuming you have XP.

Good luck. Hope you get it working!

RedGTiVR6 · 06-20-2006, 10:08 AM

let us know if that works for you!

buurin · 06-28-2006, 12:40 AM

I disabled USB in the BIOS and booted up. USB did not display in Device Manager... I re-enabled USB in the BIOS and booted, and USB shows up on Device Manager... Still doesn't work.. I suppose I will delete USB from device manager and see what happens.

When I plug my USB wifi into the onboard usb ports, the lights on the USB flicker for a half a second. Normally they would just light up and stay on.

buurin · 06-28-2006, 12:41 AM

Where in the world can I get USB ports to connect to the onboard jumper pins usually used to connect to front panel usb ports?

That seems like my only option.

buurin · 06-28-2006, 12:54 AM

One more thing... I took readings of the usb pins on the mobo for front panel usb and they are @ 5V...

I was too scared to try to take a reading from the actual usb port. I had a feeling my probe would short out the 5V to the USB casing(assuming it is grounded?)

Anyways... Lets say I never get this working... How could I get some USB? I have an ampie case so the PCI card idea wouldnt work I dont think. But I'd rather switch cases and use a pci card than buy a new mobo.

Can anyone repair such a thing?

88Vette · 06-28-2006, 01:58 AM

You want to delete all the USB ports in device manager, not BIOS.
Then reboot.
If they don't show up and work then you might have to get a serial to USB adaptor or a case you can put a PCMCIA USB card in. They make those cards to go into laptops to give you additional USB ports.
Keep trying!

You'll get it working!

buurin · 06-28-2006, 11:43 AM

The PCMCIA USB is a really good idea. Thanks.

I haven't tried to delete the USB stuff from device manager yet. Honestly I have little hope that will work but I will give it a shot before I buy anything.

Thanks again everyone.

Tidder · 06-28-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by buurin

Where in the world can I get USB ports to connect to the onboard jumper pins usually used to connect to front panel usb ports?

That seems like my only option.

http://meritline.stores.yahoo.net/dualusbrecto.html

Quote: Originally Posted by buurin

One more thing... I took readings of the usb pins on the mobo for front panel usb and they are @ 5V...

I was too scared to try to take a reading from the actual usb port. I had a feeling my probe would short out the 5V to the USB casing(assuming it is grounded?)

Get a usb cable and cut it, then strip the wires inside and test with that.

buurin · 06-28-2006, 02:56 PM

Tidder aka "The man with all the answers..."

The USB receptacle is a cheaper solution than the PCMCIA card... I just dont know if my onboard USB pins work.

Looks like I now have a nice set of backup plans if I cant get my rear-USB to work. I was getting really bummed about the situation, so I appreciate all the great ideas.

Thanks

Tidder · 06-28-2006, 03:00 PM

Sometimes I have the answers... it seems today is one of those days.

88Vette · 06-28-2006, 03:32 PM

If the USB is not working due to software/drivers issues it won't matter if you plug into the pins on the board and run a new USB jack/header it still won't work.

If it is the actual USB connector on the rear then yes, this add on idea would work.
I've never seen a USB connector on a motherboard go bad though...