USB Port Will Not Install some devices

Hi there,

I have a Vaio SZ notebook (I know, my own fault), but the problem is that the USB port(s) on it seem to be very selective in what they detect and allow to function. My new Canon camera will not connect to the computer, nor will m brand new Western Digital external myBook harddrive. Both of these things work fine on an almost identical Vaio, three Gateway desktops, and anything else I can find.

Here's what happens:
I plug in the [harddrive] and it pops up a little dialog bubble in the bottom right under device manager that it has "Found new hardware...disk drive" and then brings up a window for me to install the appropriate software. As you might guess, there is no software needed to install as this is Windows xp SP2 and brand new hardware, so it is all just straight plug and play. I try loading software, it of course cannot find anything, and then it fails to install and will not let me use the hardware.

I tried going into Computer Management under the My Computer-->Manage but it does not list any of the connected devices.

Something interesting: When I just plugged the WD Harddrive into my gateway desktop for the first time, Windows XP detected the drive by NAME: "Found new Hard ware...WD W500xxxx", installing software, your product is now ready to use.

HELPPP any ideas? Tried talking to Sony and they of course are clueless.

Thanks.

PS. I posted this here instead of under Sony because it seems like a generic PC issue and I searched on that forum and it seems similar queries never were solved.

 

what does device manager show? any conflicts/issues?

 

External harddrives and other high-powered devices require extended powered USB ports, which I suspect that your Vaio does not have. Your symptons are classic telltale signs of not enough power going out of the USB ports. Send me your laptop and get a new one.

 

1. The device manager shows no conflicts as it does not even show the hard drive being connected.

2. I know about the power issue, but this is an AC powered drive, and it works on my other Vaio laptop.

Thanks.

 

Is the hard drive formatted?

 

just for reference go to device manager on one of your other laptops with the external hd plugged in. Double click on the usb root hub (right at the bottom) that corresponds to your external drive. Click on the power tab, and post the power required.

then go to your vaio, go to device manager then double click on any of the root hubs at the bottom. Go to the power tab again and note down the power available per port.

Post these to numbers here.

 

The hard drive is fully formatted.

On a working notebook:

The USB port the hard drive is on:
"USB Mass Storage Device
Power required: 100mA"
Power available per port: 500mA


On the nonworking vaio:
Power available per port: 500A

 

yep its not power related