How do I enable USB support in my IBM Aptiva?

I purchased an IBM Aptiva C77 (200MHz) in 11/96. It has a USB port, but the only information about USB that I received was on a leaflet inserted into the user's manual. The leaflet indicated that the USB port was provided so the user could take advantage of USB technology when it was released. My question is: What do I have to do in order to get USB working?

I just bought a QuickCam, and when I tried to load the software, I got the error message: "USB port not detected", and it said to check the Windows Device Manager. I checked the Device Manager and found nothing that referred to USB!

HELP!

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

(A former Arizonan and devotee of the Data Doctors radio show on KTAR)

This question was answered on August 26, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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The following information will tell you more about your USB and pertains to Windows 98 Are you familiar with your BIOS and how to configure it? The BIOS is potentially dangerous to change so be very sure that you are clear with your manufacturers instructions before you alter the settings when you enable the USB port Good luck!

When you plug a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device into the USB port on your computer, the device may not be detected by Microsoft Windows 98

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if USB support is not enabled on your computer

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, check the status of the USB components in Device Manager To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click System.

Click the Device Manager tab.

Click the PLUS SIGN ( ) beside Universal Serial Bus Controller to expand the branch

If Universal Serial Bus Controller is not listed in Device Manager, USB support may not be enabled in your computer's BIOS Contact your computer manufacturer for instructions on how to enable USB support on your computer.

Under Universal Serial Bus Controller, you should see the following components:

PCI to USB Universal Host Controller

USB Root Hub

If a problem exists with a component or device, the device is listed with a symbol indicating the nature of the problem

A black exclamation point (!) on a yellow field indicates the device is in a problem state A device in a problem state is not functioning A problem code explaining the problem is displayed for the device

A red "X" indicates a disabled device A disabled device is a device that is physically present in the system and consuming resources, but does not have a protected-mode driver loaded

A blue "i" on a white field indicates the resource settings for the device were manually selected It does not indicate a problem state or disabled device.

About the author

Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on August 26, 1999

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