Strange USB Problem...

So I've had my M18x for maybe around a month now - got it as a replacement. I've mainly been playing skyrim on it and slowly migrating files from my broken m17xR2.

Everything was going great, until my mouse and keyboard started cutting out. First it was my mouse (TactX), whenever I'd start to move the mouse abruptly/suddenly; it would cut out (almost as if there wasn't enough power going to it, or shorting out). Then the keyboard started doing the samething.

Funny thing is though, if I use the USB 3.0 ports, it works perfectly fine.

I've checked Device Manager, uninstalled/reinstalled all USB related devices and even did the diagnostic from boot. I also turned on USB Powershare to include battery and AC.


Nothing.


Any idea's what this might be? I'm tired with returning and getting things replaced, plus the technician that's in my area is a complete tool and already fried one of my laptops (theres only one that deals with Alienware).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Have you tested any other USB devices?

Sounds like a broken USB controller.

Time to call Dell service I think

In the interim, you may find a powered USB hub will help if it's a power issue.

 

So are you saying that the m18x has two seperate controllers for USB 3.0 and 2.0?


What I've also been noticing is that, it works for a bit (USB 2.0) then it starts to cut out later.

Returning my m18x will be the last resort, since I've already been waiting for over 3 months on a replacement; so any input other than that would be great

 

Only other cause I can think of is an IRQ conflict. But that doesn't seem likely to me.

I don't know specifically if the M18x has two seperate controllers, but it seems likely.

Do you have a powered hub you can try just to see if it still happens?

Have you had a look in event viewer to see if there are any errors logged at the time the failure occurs?

 

Go into to Device Manager and turn off power management on all of the USB Hub devices. You do that by opening the USB Hub properties, going to the "Power Management" tab and unchecking the box for "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option. Repeat the process on the remaining devices.

Reboot and see if the problem is gone.

 

Yeah, I did that earlier and it seemed to fix the problem temporarily.

It came back, now all that seems to work is my USB 3.0 hub.

Whenever I plug it in, it seems like theres a short or a wire inside (or solder connection) has become loose. My mouse just blinks intermittently whenever I plug it in to either of the ports.

Any ideas

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that when I plug my iPhone into my USB 2.0 port, it works fine.

It's almost as if the TactX mouse is drawing more power than it needs or something, this is !@#$%^...

Can't dell just get it right for once?... *sigh*

 

Do all other USB devices work correctly except the TactX?

 

It could be one of the devices, like the TactX mouse is causing the problem. Hopefully, it has caused no damage. This might not be an M18x problem.

 

My thoughts exactly. Let us know if everything else works besides the TactX

 

Yeah, the TactX is a POS... it finally semi-died... Acutally kinda glad it did, since now I know my m18x isn't broken

Must be some sort of short in the mouse itself.

Thanks for all the input/help!

 

Glad it was the device and not the laptop.