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Why is my USB device not recognized ?

Posted By : Ryan of Chandler-Gilbert Community College on May 21, 2007

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I need to update my iPod but get the message

USB device not recognized. It worked when I first got the iPod and everytime I've updated until now.

It must be a common problem becuase there are a lot of people searching for an answer on the Internet.

What can we do about this?

This question was answered on May 21, 2007. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.


SYMPTOMS

When you plug a USB device into your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer immediately after the computer comes out of standby (S3) or hibernate (S4), the computer may not recognize the USB device When this issue occurs, the USB device may or may not be listed in Device Manager as an unknown device, and you may or may not receive the following warning message:

Unrecognized device has been found

CAUSE

This issue occurs because, when the computer comes out of S3 or S4, there is a five- to ten-second period when the selective suspend feature of the USB driver will interfere with detection of a new USB device connection The time period depends on several factors, including the following:

• Host controller hardware

• Attached hubs

• Attached devices

• USB driver versions

• Support for USB 2.0

• Additional system hardware or configurations that may change the timing

Workarounds:

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method 1

After the computer comes out of S3 or S4, wait five to ten seconds before you plug the USB device into the computer or hub

Method 2

After the computer comes out of S3 or S4, unplug the USB device, and then plug the device back into the computer or hub

Method 3

Use the Device Manager to scan for new hardware Follow these steps:

1 Click Start, and then click Run

2 Type Devmgmt.msc in the Open box, and then click OK

3 On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes This causes Windows to recognize new devices

4 Close Device Manager and Control Panel

Method 4

Disable power management of the USB hub

Note If you perform the following procedure, you may also reduce the battery life on a portable computer

To disable power management on the USB hub, follow these steps:

1 Click Start, and then click Run

2 Type devmgmt.msc in the Open box, and then click OK

3 Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers node, and then follow these steps for each USB Root Hub that is listed: a Right-click the USB Root Hub, and then click Properties

b Click the Power Management tab

c Click to clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box, and then click OK

About the author

Posted by Ryan of Chandler-Gilbert Community College on May 21, 2007

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