what could be my problem

i posted this on the network thread but got no answer, maybe because it is a general windows issue more than a networking problem per se.
hope some of you can help me:
i have been unable to connect to my 3g dongle and my smartphone lately.
i get a signal with my 3g dongle and then it dissapears, as if something is actively blocking it.
i also cannot connect t my smartphone via windows mobile center to update my outlook.
i have a feeling that both are related, but what could be the cause?
update:
i looked through my firewall settings and it does seem like windows mobile center is allowed through the firewall.

what other settings could affect both?
homegroup settings? windows features?

 

3g dongle--USB? And do you connect your smartphone via a usb cable? *and what kind of smartphone (make and model). Is the computer the one in your signature? Do other devices (and if so, what kind) work with the USB port you are using for the dongle and smartphone.

 

3g dongle is usb and yes i do connect my samsung omnia via usb cable. both used to work perfectly with the computer in my sig.
other devices like usb sticks and my 2 hdd's work with my usb ports.
any ideas?

 

The first thing I would do is probably remove the software including drivers and reinstall.

Failing that, I would uninstall (not disable) the usb controllers and root hubs in device manager. Reboot, allow Windows to reinstall them automatically, then retest.

 

so basically i would uninstall all these?
are you sure they would be installed again automatically?

also im not so sure if its a usb thing since my other usb devices seem to work.
what you think?

 

Yes, right click, choose UNINSTALL. The device will disappear and Windows may ask you to reboot right away, but say no and uninstall all devices.

Also check VIEW and SHOW HIDDEN DEVICES. Uninstall these as well.

Reboot. Windows WILL redetect your USB devices and reinstall them. If it does not, there is something going in here that is a greater problem then these two devices not being detected.

After windows reboots, wait while windows reinstalls the usb hubs and controllers. There will be a message in the system tray telling you it finished.

Open device manager again, and plug in your dongle...watch device manager to see what occurs.

Do the same for the phone.

Report back

 

thanks ill try that and tell you how it went

+1

 

no go, i uninstalled the usb devices after uninstalling and reinstalling the programs for both my smartphone and 3g dongle and it still didnt work.
i also got this when i connected my phone

 

what kind of phone is this?

 

a samsung omnia running windows phone 6.1
i looked thru here too:
Windows Mobile Remote Adapter cannot start, error code 10 - xda-developers
they said if you disable plug n play in bios, it will work but i dont have plug n play in bios