Gottfried/David/All ... Before you delve into any USB device, you may want to prepare yourself for an experience beyond "...plug it in and your computer will instantly 'see' the USB zip drive...." Many factors -- only now becoming more widespread apparent -- go into a successful USB connection, including Motherboard chipset USB controller, version of the controller, OS software, device-manufacturer USB's interface (OHCI or UHCI) etc. etc.
For a clearer appreciation of real-world experiences of USB-device owners, refer to the testimonials at the following BBS:
usb.org
You might start wondering just what is "universal" about the current state of the "Universal Serial Bus".
Just a few examples of problems experienced:
usb.org (and followups)
"USB Zip Drive Work/Doesn't Work with Windows98"
Someone whose system would freeze, and the solution he found:
usb.org
usb.org
But another trying the same solution for his VIA MVP host controller had a different result:
usb.org
Toshiba informs one user that "some USB items only work with Intel chipsets..." (e.g. HP products?)
usb.org (and followups)
usb.org
"Arrgh, I've got the usb zip and it keeps locking my system whenever I try to read/write. I've got a TX m/b thats usb ver1.0 compliant. Its driving me mad!"
Compaq user (Deb P) with a USB problem:
usb.org
"As an owner of a COMPAQ Presario 4700 series, I have found the USB port problem, based on the stated chipset, to be a common problem. Apparently, older USB ports used a chipset which was later changed by Intel. And of course, the industry followed the newer chipset as a standard. So, the rest of us seem to be stuck with a worthless USB port. Doesn't seem fair. I have received so much confusing and misleading information about the older USB ports. For instance, Compaq suggests trying Win '98 to get the older USB port to work, which apparently would only be another wild goose chase according to some of the information presented here."
What Compaq posted just a day later, as reported by Deb P:
usb.org
"My Compaq has 001 chipset. Compaq has finally posted a notice at their open forum saying that there will be no other device that will work with the USB port present, other than the Compaq video cam. There is no software fix according to the notice. Keep in mind that my computer is about 1 1/2 yrs old."
What the Intel Rep had to finally "admit":
usb.org
"...Try to remember there are a lot of pieces to the USB puzzle: bios (also how OEM's set options), host controller (chipset), software, and devices. Not all vendors from these areas are in sync yet, and there is a lot of incompatible hardware out there."
Hmmm "Try to remember..."? What I only "remember" about USB is the original hype exemplified by David's statement: "...all you have to do is plug it in and your computer will instantly 'see' the USB zip drive." I don't recall anything about "the USB puzzle." The above Intel response was a thread-posting about Micorosft's June 23, 1998 Article ID: Q184400
usb.org (and followups)
"SUMMARY: This article lists the Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controllers supported in Windows 98.
MORE INFORMATION: Windows 98 supports two USB host controller standards:
Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI)
Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI)
Windows 98 includes drivers that support each of these hardware standards.
OHCI
Windows 98 includes drivers for the following OHCI USB host controllers:
Symbios
RealTech (based on OPTi hardware)
CMD Technology (except the REV_04 version)
Silicon Integrated Systems
OPTi
Ali
National Semiconductor
NEC
Note that other OHCI host controllers that comply to the OHCI specification are supported by Windows 98 as a standard OHCI USB host controller.
UHCI
Windows 98 includes drivers for the following UHCI USB host controllers:
Intel
VIA Technologies
Note that other UHCI host controllers that comply to the UHCI specification are supported by Windows 98 as a standard UHCI USB host controller."
...
But the most noteworthy/substantive information in this Microsoft document is the seemingly innoucuous one made at the very end:
Note that not all versions of all controllers are supported by the drivers included with Windows 98. Consult the hardware manufacturer for more information and updated drivers.
General Troubleshooting of USB problems, see Intel's INF_BM.PDF
intel.de
Microsoft Articles with important notes:
support.microsoft.com
"Unable to Use USB Ports and Devices in Windows 98" Article ID: Q181250
support.microsoft.com
"Supported Universal Serial Bus Host Controllers for Windows 98" Article ID: Q184400
Here is Jim Stewart's decision on how to solve his USB problem:
usb.org
"I've tried upgrading the BIOS with no success and do not have any other options at this point. The motherboard in question is middle of the road one that has met my needs for the last two years, however it is actually quite inexpensive for me to purchase a new, and compatible, motherboard rather than to continue to spend hours
researching and trying fixes that do not correct the problem. "
Here was Jim Stewart's first posting about his problem and the initial response from an Intel rep:
usb.org
I have been trying to get the USB port on my motherboard set up and working to use with a new USB video camera. The port and drivers installed with no problems but the camera will not work.
Digging deeper it appears that I have version 001 of the Intel 82371SB USB controller on my motherboard (not quite two years old). I have heard that this controller simply does not work. Is this true? Is there any recourse or am I going to have to replace this motherboard?
This does @#%$& big time.
Intel rep's first "helpful" response to Jim Stewart, 12/21/98:
usb.org
Jim,
I don't know what you mean by "@#%$&" but I do know the host controller you have (82371SB) is a PIIX3. What you have heard about this hc being defective is incorrect, since I've been developing USB drivers and tools on this platform for over 2 years.
Please clarify the problem you see.
Kosta Koeman, Intel
Mr. Koeman's later, more-substantive/useful "Try to remember..." admission (see above) came nine days later on Dec 30, 1998 only after Jim Stewart posted the Microsoft ARTICLE ID Q181250
-------
Addendum: Apparently the "USB puzzle" is becoming more complex. I just noticed that the current Microsoft ARTICLE ID Q181250 was updated on January 7, 1999 and now includes additional Intel USB controller chips problematic for Windows 98. Now added to the original USB-problematic "early version" of the 82371SB is the "early version" of the 82371AB/EB "universal" host controller (!!!)
support.microsoft.com
"Windows 98 does not support early versions of the Intel 82371SB or 82371AB/EB PCI to USB universal host controller chip set. To determine if you are using an early version of this controller chip set, follow these steps..."
[Here's what the previous review-rendition (July 1, 1998) of this article read:
Windows 98 does not support early versions of the Intel 82371SB PCI to USB universal host controller chip set..."
See page 6 of the INF_BM.PDF to gain an appreciation of which Intel cipsets might utilize the "early versions" of either of these host controllers. ] |
