USB causes computer to hang
 

Hello All
I've noticed now that my laptop freezes/hangs when I'm using the USB ports. Either using the printer or while transfering photos from my camera. Tried unplugging them,switching them on/off. No change. Only thing I can do is hold power botton down till laptop shuts down. Any ideas?

BMM389EC

Laptops are notorious for not providing enough power to USB ports, especially if you are running off internal battery (I had an Acer that was very bad at this). Lots of USB devices tend to drain the max current, and the poor little laptop logic decides that there's been a power failure.

Somewhere (you don't say which Operating System you're running) there is an option on USB to ignore power errors and carry on, but that will only diable the USB and continue booting.

Best solution is to try and run off mains power whenever possible, and buy a powered USB hub (Belkin - available from PC World off teh shelf, or from www.ebuyer.com if you want to save money), and let it provide the power to the USB. That way you aren't risking any power issues either.

Good luck

Hello,thanks for the replies

I am running off the mains when this happens? I've got two USB ports and they both do it although one more than the other. Regardless of whats plugged in.
Running Windows XP.

In Device Manager, seek out the device named "USB route hub" or similar and select the Power Management tab. Uncheck the box that suggests that the computer can disconnect the device to save power. This should cure the problem.

Many thanks-I've given it a try. Cheers

Oh Oh-did'nt like that! Soon after I did that it hung twice in a row without even something connected to the USB ports!?

BMM389EC,

Check your PM