[SOLVED] Some USB devices don't work with motherboard

[rakibfahadgts]

A friend of mine have an old system that has 3rd gen i3 with ddr3 8*2 gigs memory and a r7 240 GPU. It's based on gigabyte h61m motherboard. But the issue here is the motherboard has four USB 2 ports. All of them work If connected keyboard, mouse, gamepad or pendrive. But if he connects his tp link wifi adapter or 7.2k Rpm Toshiba portable HDD they don't work. The HDD isn't even detected in control panel's device and printers section (windows 10 fresh install from Microsoft's website). The wifi adapter is detected but as soon as it's connected, the adapter along with both mouse and keyboard keep connecting and disconnecting (the mouse and keyboard works fine if the adapter isn't connected). The HDD and wifi adapter however work just fine if connected to my PC. So far have tried resetting bios, updating bios to latest version and clearing cmos. Nothing works. Any resolution will be appreciated. TIA

 

[dwd999]

Most likely this older motherboard was not designed to provide enough power/wattage for the devices you're trying to connect. If they really need these usb devices and have room in the motherboard/case, an addon powered pcie board might be a solution. The key is to obtain more power directly from the power supply to the usb ports. Perhaps something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Supe...128&sprefix=powered+usb3+board,aps,119&sr=8-6

Or perhaps an external hub with its own power supply:

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Indi...128&sprefix=powered+usb3+board,aps,119&sr=8-7

 

[RealBeast]

Agreed, most likely a power issue with his old USB2.0/1.1 not supplying enough for the HDD and perhaps also the wireless adapter as they are both much newer than his old board.

 

[rakibfahadgts]

Most likely this older motherboard was not designed to provide enough power/wattage for the devices you're trying to connect. If they really need these usb devices and have room in the motherboard/case, an addon powered pcie board might be a solution. The key is to obtain more power directly from the power supply to the usb ports. Perhaps something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Superspeed-Ports-PCI-Expansion/dp/B00FPIMICA/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3U4KIGW4DKB6B&keywords=powered+usb+3+board&qid=1642117128&sprefix=powered+usb3+board,aps,119&sr=8-6

Or perhaps an external hub with its own power supply:

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Individual-Switches-Included-HB-UMP3/dp/B00TPMEOYM/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3U4KIGW4DKB6B&keywords=powered+usb+3+board&qid=1642117128&sprefix=powered+usb3+board,aps,119&sr=8-7

Appreciate the reply but it worked just fine a few days back. Then suddenly this happened. If it was power issue wasn't it suppose to happen earlier?

 

[dwd999]

Appreciate the reply but it worked just fine a few days back. Then suddenly this happened. If it was power issue wasn't it suppose to happen earlier?

If you're right on the borderline for having or not having enough power, it could swing either way.

 

[rakibfahadgts]

If you're right on the borderline for having or not having enough power, it could swing either way.

If it's a power issue will the pcie board you mention earlier fix it? Or is the motherboard at fault? I've noticed pwm or DC fans don't work in the PC. But molex ones do work.

The wifi adapter I'm concerned with is the following one

150Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter

With speeds of up to 150Mbps, the wireless N USB adapter allows you to connect any computer to high-speed internet. Enjoy optimum performance for video streaming or internet calls.

www.tp-link.com

Can it draw that much power? I've however tried a tp link USB 3 hub and thus connected my g502 mouse, a mechanical keyboard and a USB 3.2 flash drive through a single port and those worked flawlessly. Is it possible that the adapter drawing more power than these three devices combined?

 

[dwd999]

The pcie board connects to one of the sata power cables coming out of your power supply in order to power up all of the usb sockets.

The fans not working unless they're connected to a molex cable seems to indicate a motherboard problem. But it could also be a power supply problem if the power supply doesn't provide enough power to the motherboard cable and connector. Unfortunately its an old system that appears to be underpowered for today's peripherals.