USB ports, randomly d/c devices

I did read another thread about this issues some while ago, but I recently stumbled upon the problem myself. The usb ports randomly disconnect devices connected. I haven't been able to make out a pattern, once it's after 5 mins, others it's after 2 - 3h .
I rang Dell to send out a tech to replace the mobo.

My question is, what should I be on the lookout for after the replacement of the mobo to make sure everything is in working condition? I've heard/read stories that after mobo replacement, the gfx cards are not properly seated, cables not properly fitted.

Thanks

 

Yeh chiefs.

Just sit there with the tech. Have a nice chat lol and watch him like HAWK EYE lol.
I always sit opposite or next to them and just watch them just to make sure everything goes smoothly. Also test out the machine before they leave.
If anything does go wrong no worries it was their fault so your still covered.

Cheers.

 

This problem is common when using external USB hubs. The hub built in to one of my monitors used to do this all the time - I eventually stopped using the hub. I have seen it on probably 2 out of 3 external hub devices, and not just on my m17xR2. My desktop machine exhibited the problem, and so did my Latitude D820.

Are you using an external hub or extender or anything funky at all?

 

This issue is extremely annoying as I play A LOT. This issue causes my PC to freeze up at best maybe a second. It has crashed the entire PC before however...

 

I have the same issue on mine, currently working with the engineering team to find the root cause. FYI, the motheboard will not fix it.

 

If this problem gets the techs out to open up the laptop then I'd like to call them Then I can see to open it up to the other parts

 

The tech guy called me and said he will be here today, in about 1 or 2 hours.
I do not use an usb hub , only the onboard ports and rarely the esata combo. Only when using the usb ports i see the d/c (which ultimately lead to system freeze) but never on the esata combo. I hope the mobo will fix it and it won't lead to other problems.

Anybody know how long it should take to replace the mobo?

 

my brand new replacement is doing the same too. it just randomly disconnects usb and reconnects it back. not sure if this is a power management issue. noticed this problem with previous units as well. starting to get annoying.

 

What kind of devices get disconnected? Different USB devices draw differing amounts of current.

 

Well I noticed it first with my dslr camera (canon 500d). but didn't pay much attention couse i thought the camera would turn itself off. Then I realised that when connected to the pc shouldn't turn off just after a very long period of time (especially if i'm working with it, taking pics remotely, etc). After the camera i noticed it does the same with the usb sound card (some creative card). Never happened with the mouse, that would have been the most painful.

 

logitech z-10 speakers, external hdd

 

My AW TactX mouse

 

I would bet a few hours. Pretty much every part in the m17x needs to come out before you can remove the motherboard, and then you also need to deal with cleaning and re-pasting the heat spreader and everything else while reassembling.

I think the only thing that doesn't need to be removed is the LCD screen... but at that point it is just a matter of four screws holding it on anyways.

 

Have you guys tried moving the devices to different ports to see if the problem is with the individual devices being reset, or the ports themselves being reset?

It sounds like a fairly broad range of devices being disconnected... mice, hdd, speakers.

In my system I was experiencing this problem when using a Sidewinder X6 keyboard. However that was when using it through an external hub (as mentioned above), and after connecting directly to a port on the m17x I have had zero problems with it.

For those having problems with external HDD, does the problem go away when you use an AC power adapter instead of drawing power from the laptop?

 

So they changed the mobo, and when first fired up I had the AW head blinking. The mobo came with A05 bios installed so I reinstalled Command Center the latest version and it fixed the blinking head.
Now, after a shutdown/power on cycle, I get scroll lock and numlock blinking while caps is always on. Everything seems to be working fine just for that. What could be wrong?

 

Hey there chiefs.

Alienware? M17x and M15x System LEDs | Dell

http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...y-bios-post-code-m15x_m17x_posterrorcodes.jpg

You will need to either open up the notebook again and re-seat the monitor cables or the GPUs.
Or get the guy back to reseat them for you. One of the monitor cables must be squished a bit or not attached properly. Its not liking it so it is flashing you the errors. This can usually happen if not re assembled properly for a mobo change or when closing up the notebook. I've done it myself before then I have to open it up again and re-seat the cables and check everything is in place.

Cheers.

 

Thanks a bunch. I'll give them a call. Getting tired of this stuff already. At least the tech is fast (the other day he changed the mobo in less than 1 h).

Need to bookmark that page with the led error codes.

 

Yeh no probs chiefs.

Just make sure you give the notebook a good long test before he leaves next time. Like 10 mins or so lol. Give it a boot up try something a game or whatever. Then restart. Shutdown and try a few more things lol.
I always like to make sure things are okay before they leave just in case.
They might get annoyed, oh well just stick to your guns. Tell them dell told you to check this time around since last time you experienced shocking things lol.

Good Luck.

Cheers.

 

Here's my story on this
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/523229-support-horror-story.html

Summary:

Replaced almost every part in the system and the problem still exists. Happens with keyboards, mice, anything usb. Working with the engineering team from dell to try and find issue. They are shipping repalcement unit so they can use mine to troubleshoot from.

 

So far the support has been great, as was the tech guy (I made sure to ask for the same guy that did the previous replacements on my lappie). Just getting tired of the problems I am facing with such a high end machine, that range all the way from hardware to software.

 

Support for me has been a nightmare - from being double billed, to dead MB a week after I got it, and this USB device disconnection issue

For me it's doing it with mouse, trackball, usb headset, regardless of USB port - hub - no hub.

Anyone got a fix?

OH - and I got a NICE call from Dell asking me if I had any issues - I told them I had and they said 'sorry, your warranty has expired - but you can buy an extended one'.

Would have been nice to have been called, say, a couple of weeks before warranty expired if they are actually calling to find out if my pc has issues

 

Hate to bump an old thread but I have been MIA for a time. Working on 3D modelling and guess what? I have been having the same issues with the M17X R2 in my sig. USB disconnect - USB reconnect at random intervals.
Mine started a while ago and I thought it was the Razor mouse but it also happens with the logitech mouse, and all other USB connected devices. The Blue Ray freezes and stutters when it happens, if I am using the Blue ray device at the time.
Has anyone heard of a fix or resolution to this issue. How about a cause of the issue.
I have done my time in customer support with the original m17x and would much rather do without that again. I have the premium warranty but if there is a work-around or fix, I would much rather do it myself if possible.
Cheers

A search in the forum only gave me 3 leads and one of them was here. Sorry for my inability to find info on the issue.

 

I Googled USB selective suspend, which is enabled even in the High Performance power plan. Don't know if this will help. Doubtful, but it's all I could find. I only ever had this problem with my Alienware TacX mouse, as a reader mentioned earlier.

The USB selective suspend feature allows the hub driver to suspend an individual port without affecting the operation of the other ports on the hub. Selective suspension of USB devices is especially useful in portable computers, since it helps conserve battery power. Many devices, such as fingerprint readers and other kinds of biometric scanners, only require power intermittently. Suspending such devices, when the device is not in use, reduces overall power consumption.

 

My fix was 3 replacements of the motherboard

 

Thank you for searching for it... I disabled the suspend about 2 weeks ago and it seemed to help. But alas the issue remains. I would love to pinpoint what is causing it. Beyond being an annoying issue it has finally become detrimental to my work.
I have kept an eye on the system events in hopes it is a driver issue. So far no dice.
I don't know why they would want to replace the entire motherboard in this beast, I could have sworn the mobo was modular and the USB a separate piece. Maybe I'm thinking of the Area 51. Sigh
If anyone has more info please post. I will put off calling tech support as long as possible. I'm off this week so I have a little time.

 

Thx for the reply Myx. I hate that they had to do this for you 3 times to fix it. I swear it's their first fix for 'everything' . Step 1: replace mobo ....
Glad you have no further issues.
I saw in one other thread that Scook9 only had the issue while using a particular hard drive.
It's why I posted here and asked for as many answers as possible. Everyone's input is helpful.

If all else fails I'll use my Premium warranty. I shouldn't complain at all since I do have it. I just know how difficult it can be to go through and would much rather avoid issues if at all possible. It's okay if I scratch the beast.... but if someone else does it, not so 'okay' anymore.

 

The only other advice I can offer is using the USB that's in the eSATA port maybe? Another thing I suggested to another forum member was possibly trying an externally-powered USB hub (which you shouldn't have to do).

 

Thank you again....

One last question. Since I have been away I have forgotten A LOT. I am thinking that the biggest issues with disconnect/reconnect are with mice. These same two mice play just fine with all other computers and have no issues. BUT I do recall there was an issue ages ago with polling rates, touch pad, usb mice and the BIOS. I am beginning to wonder if these ultrafast mice are having issue with what the USB is capable of and if so, is there a setting I am missing in the BIOS that may alleviate the problem or am I going to need to bump down the settings in the mice themselves and just be happy with that? The 3D modelling doesn't require speed as much as precision. And gaming... well if it disconnects that's worse than any speed I may lose by changing the polling rate...

Just so you know I'll be tinkering with the mice' settings anyway but I always ask before tinkering in the BIOS.

thanks for listening to me whine!

 

After a lot of searching and reading forums I have finally found some resolution. Since it is sporadic I do so hope I am not jinxing myself by posting this. It has bee 24hrs without issue.
Checked IRQ's checked all powermanagement on all devices in USB Controllers and even uninstalled all the devices listed: USB Root hub, controllers, etc then restarted.
Ultimately the fact that I did a clean install of all my drivers more than likely fixed the issue. Though I only saw two that were having issue: media card reader, and freefall sensor.... I updated them all taking care of the highly suspect chipset drivers first thing.
Hope this post may help someone else. There is very little helpful info on this issue found in Google but M$ Technet articles and posts are loaded with them.
EDIT: After 48hrs the problem returned... Next solution a power drain. Take battery out, unplug, hold down power button for 60sec then hook it back up and reboot. Hear this is a common solution to various brands of laptops having this issue. Hope it works