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[Tippaporn]

I have a Compaq laptop that's 3 years old (฿72,000 new). I brought it in to a shop in Fortune Town which specializes in laptop repairs last month to replace the keypad and CD Rom/DVD drive and reinstall the orignal XP Home operating system, all of which had crapped out. While there I bought a high speed USB that plugs into the PCMCIA slot. Everything has been working fine now for over one month.

Not until the other day did I try to use the new high speed USB ports and when I connected my removable hard drive the laptop totally locked up. I had to disconnect the power source to unlock it. I brought the laptop back and I'm being told that the problem is the motherboard, which I would now need to replace. Another USB card was tried out of the box with the same results. Does this sound right? It doesn't to me.

Also, what would a motherboard typically cost?

Edited July 2, 2007 by Tippaporn

[Tippaporn]

Well, after 20+ reads it doesn't look likely that I'll get an answer here. Anyone have any suggestions for geek forums where I might be able to investigate this problem?

[bino]

Hi Tip... Long time no see.

What's happening with your laptop now? Will it even start up when you try? Is th problem only happening when you try to use the USB?

I had to replace the motherboard in my Compaq laptop, which sounds to be a similar vintage to yours. (Mine is Evo 1020V). There wasn't enough change from 10000 Bt to buy a cup of coffee.

[A_Traveller]

Of the views, maybe if you noted it was a laptop motherboard you were seeking advice on that would have pre-qualified them.

It is possible that the USB is drawing 'excessive' power. It is not always possible to determine, further, with a laptop the system is less 'modular" than a desktop, since componats are oftne soldered into place and are not viewed as 'service-able'. I can see how this could be a mb problem, and I can also see how it might be difficult to repair without replacing the mb {or maybe upgrading}.

Please advise if the laptop starts up normally, and if there are an other symptoms subsequent to the failure you described.

Regards

[DragonQuest]

dude after 3 years get a new laptop lol they only last a couple years, the most a few years if u have a good brand like me(Sony). goodluck

[Tippaporn]

Hi Tip... Long time no see.

What's happening with your laptop now? Will it even start up when you try? Is th problem only happening when you try to use the USB?

I had to replace the motherboard in my Compaq laptop, which sounds to be a similar vintage to yours. (Mine is Evo 1020V). There wasn't enough change from 10000 Bt to buy a cup of coffee.

Hey, Bino. Yes, it's been awhile. Due to work I think I took a six month break from TV.

It locks up only when I try to connect the removable hard drive to the new high speed USB port. ฿10,000? If it's only due to the USB then I'll suffer along with the non-high speed ports I have now. The laptop runs fine otherwise. Thanks for the info.

Of the views, maybe if you noted it was a laptop motherboard you were seeking advice on that would have pre-qualified them.

It is possible that the USB is drawing 'excessive' power. It is not always possible to determine, further, with a laptop the system is less 'modular" than a desktop, since componats are oftne soldered into place and are not viewed as 'service-able'. I can see how this could be a mb problem, and I can also see how it might be difficult to repair without replacing the mb {or maybe upgrading}.

Please advise if the laptop starts up normally, and if there are an other symptoms subsequent to the failure you described.

Regards

Thanks, A-Traveller. As I said, no problems at all. Boots up fine. As soon as I plug in the new USB XP tells me that it's found new hardware (though it shouldn't because I've been running that same removable hard drive using the old ports for two years). As soon as that notification pops up it locks up.

I thought I could upgrade the USB but perhaps it's too much for the MB? Spent ฿2,000+ on the high speed USB so I'd rather eat that than dish out ฿10,000 for a new MB - if that would solve the problem. I wouldn't know.

dude after 3 years get a new laptop lol they only last a couple years, the most a few years if u have a good brand like me(Sony). goodluck

I don't use it too often so maybe that's why it's lasted so long? In any case, I don't use it enough to warrant buying a new one.

Edited July 2, 2007 by Tippaporn

[Carmine6]

I have a Compaq laptop that's 3 years old (฿72,000 new). I brought it in to a shop in Fortune Town which specializes in laptop repairs last month to replace the keypad and CD Rom/DVD drive and reinstall the orignal XP Home operating system, all of which had crapped out. While there I bought a high speed USB that plugs into the PCMCIA slot. Everything has been working fine now for over one month.

Not until the other day did I try to use the new high speed USB ports and when I connected my removable hard drive the laptop totally locked up. I had to disconnect the power source to unlock it. I brought the laptop back and I'm being told that the problem is the motherboard, which I would now need to replace. Another USB card was tried out of the box with the same results. Does this sound right? It doesn't to me.

Also, what would a motherboard typically cost?

Doesn't seem like it's necessarily a motherboard problem, although it could be. It could be a Windows problem or a problem with the PCMCIA card as well. By the way, even if you've used the drive with a computer before, if you plug it into a USB port it has never been plugged into, it'll install again.

Not sure if the card tried at the shop was the same brand of card, but the test would be to try another brand of card, and see if that causes problems. Maybe even try some other types of PCMCIA card completely, like a wifi adapter. Also, if you have some other USB device like a mouse or thumb drive, try that in the PCMCIA card to see if it freezes up on that.

If you haven't done all the Windows updates since the re-install, that might fix the problem as well. Last step before I just lived with it, would be to see if you can update the bios, which I think for Compaq's isn't really an option.

[britmaveric]

Check the application/system logs and see what errors they are registering? This would give you some idea on what the problem might be.

[bino]

Since the laptop is starting and running just fine until you use your USB gizmo, I'm inclined to believe that it is a software or driver issue. Checking the log as Brit suggests might reveal this.

I wouldn't rule out the motherboard 100% though. As traveller says, changing the motherboard is often the only solution for hardware problems because evrything is permanently soldered inside. My Compaq had video problems, but there is no separate video card inside... all of the circuits are on the motherboard.

I'd try checking all of the software issues... USB driver, even windows itself before spending any more $$$!

If it is any consolation... the CD / DVD drive in my laptop has gone south also!

[Richard-BKK]

The whole PCMCIA, PC-Card or PC-Card32 standard's are less standard then most people think, it is maybe possible that you bought a PC-card32 (which needs DMA access, and 32 bits bus and 36 bits memory addressing) and try to run it in a “older” not compatible standard card slot.

For the “Windows found new hardware” you used this external hard drive before with a USB 1.1 interface, now that you use it with a USB 2.0 interface it is a totally other device (in the eyes of Microsoft Windows).

The problem probably start when you move data from your hard drive to your notebook or from notebook to hard drive, this is the moment that the PC-card device is likely to use DMA burst to keep the speed high. If you notebooks PC-card standard is not the same standard as the USB device it is likely that it hangs the whole system (DMA access or burst is a fast option to get more out of cheap hardware, but it is directly linked to the processor, so if something go's wrong it brings the whole system down)

[Tippaporn]

Wow, thanks for the great input, all. I feel less ignorant now. Before I swap MB's I'll certainly do some checking.

Thanks.

Tip

[A_Traveller]

Could you post the PCMCIA card part number make etc? If the problem only occurs when this is in use then the card may be incorrect for the system and that could narrow down the problem, possibly solving it by buying an 'older' USB 2.0 card.

Regards

[Tippaporn]

Thanks, A-Traveller. Can't get that information since the USB card is with the computer at the shop. I can't go today but should be able to tomorrow. I'm hoping that's what it is, in which case I might be able to swap the one I have now with an older USB 2.0.

[Tippaporn]

Thanks for all the input and I want to report that the problem has been solved and it's solution.

My removable hard drive utilizes a cable with two USB plugs; the second split off from the first on a shorter length cable. I've always used the USB plug that connects directly to the removable hard drive. Truth be told, I never knew what purpose the other served - until now. All that was required was an additional cable with both a male and female plug that runs from any old USB port to the plug on the shorter, split-off cable. The plug that I normally use connects to the USB PCMCIA card. Works like a charm and I'm pleased as punch to be able to transfer data in a fraction of the time.

Since the repair shop sold me the USB PCMCIA card and I experienced problems they felt they owed me some free service and did not even charge me for the additional cable. If I could recommend a notebook repair shop I would happily and confidently recommend them. I've dealt with them four times to date. They're service is 100% thus far and very fast - they've always checked into whatever problem I've had immediately upon dropping the notebook off while I wait - and they're more than reasonably priced. This is the second time they've performed a freebie for me.

Thanks again, all.

Tip

[Rice_King]

Thanks for the fix update Tippaporn.

To surmise:

Since the PCMCIA card does not supply any power, the hard drive did not have the required current to function. This caused your laptop to freeze, forcing a hard reboot. Plugging one end of the "Y" connection into the laptop's onboard 1.1 USB port, (which DOES have power to run the external drive) and the other one going to the PCMCIA's 2.0 USB port, solved the problem.

Correct?

Edited July 4, 2007 by Rice_King

[Tippaporn]

Thanks for the fix update Tippaporn.

To surmise:

Since the PCMCIA card does not supply any power, the hard drive did not have the required current to function. This caused your laptop to freeze, forcing a hard reboot. Plugging one end of the "Y" connection into the laptop's onboard 1.1 USB port, (which DOES have power to run the external drive) and the other one going to the PCMCIA's 2.0 USB port, solved the problem.

Correct?

Excellent and accurate summarisation, Rice_King. And thanks for a more well-defined explanation. While I'm relatively ignorant about computers my gut nonetheless told me the problem would be a simple one to fix.

[Rice_King]

Just glad to hear that you didn't have to replace the mobo Tippaporn.

Instead of assuming that the buyer would know how to connect the peripheral, the maker of the card should have, at a minimum, diagrammed the correct setup procedure.

[A_Traveller]

Just glad to hear that you didn't have to replace the mobo Tippaporn.

Instead of assuming that the buyer would know how to connect the peripheral, the maker of the card should have, at a minimum, diagrammed the correct setup procedure.

Glad the problem is fixed. Must admit I'd have needed sharp prodding to think of a three headed USB cable these days.

Maybe RK can answer this, saving me a rummage, but USB 1.1 didn't deliver power or at a lower voltage than USB 2.0?

Regards

/edit typo//

Edited July 5, 2007 by A_Traveller

[Rice_King]

Maybe RK can answer this, saving me a rummage, but USB 1.1 didn't deliver power or at a lower voltage than USB 2.0?

USB 1.1 and 2.0 both provide the same voltage. Supplied voltage by a host or powered hub ports is between 4.75 V and 5.25 V.

Tippaporn's issue was that his USB 2.0 ports were on the PCMCIA adapter card which provides a working voltage of 3.3 V., not enough to run his external drive.

Here's more info on USB than you will probably ever need.

Hope that clarifies.

--RK

Edited July 6, 2007 by Rice_King