Intel USB Host Controller Drivers

Question

I installed Windows 7 on an IBM ThinkPad T41 laptop. I realize that this is an older laptop and is not the best choice for Windows 7. However, I first installed the RC release on it (a little while back) and everything (except for Areo, etc) worked just fine. Now, with this new fully licensed copy of 7, the drivers for the USB Host Controller are not loading correctly. They appear to be present, but they are not working. In Device Manager, there is a yellow ! next to each entry under USB, and inserting a USB drive produces nothing.

I first asked Intel about it. They said it is a Microsoft issue. They said they manufacture the Host Controller, but Microsoft makes the drivers. This is an Intel 82801DB/DBM Enhanced USB Host Controller and there are 4 or 5 similar entries for it under USB in Device Manager.

I don't know why it would work without issue when using the RC and not this new installation. I have disabled, and completely removed the device/drivers from within Device Manager and rebooted to allow Windows to reload the device(s)/driver(s) but that didn't help. I have tried downloading driver installations from Intel and that also did nothing for me. I have checked Windows Update several times manually, and using the Update Driver button tells me "Windows has determined I have the most current drivers".

If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate it.

Answer 1

Might not be your situation but this is the kind of problem you can get if the motherboard chipset drivers are not correct. You can do a quick check in Device manager to see if the various system devices have chipset specific named drivers or are just generic MS drivers. Intel might not have an INF utility update for your legacy chipset, in which case you'd be dependant on MS to supply legacy drivers for it. That was the case with my Intel 915/82801 chipset (more than 6 years old), but they are not obliged to. Uninstall the usb device drivers again (note how they are identified first). Try manually running update on each of the hardware device drivers listed under System devices (esp. if identified by PCI, firmware, controller). If the system device drivers are changed when you do this Windows should redetect the integral hardware and install new drivers for those devices also.

If nothing else works you could still try reinstalling the RC as a dual boot in its own partition and then note exactly which drivers it is installing. Assuming the USB in the RC is still functional now. It isn't a tidy solution but you might be able to use the RC installation to copy/install drivers from if those driver versions don't exist in the retail Windows 7.

Answer 2

Hi defiantclass1,

Have you had a chance to check IBM's website directly?  Please see the following link:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-46258#usb

Hope this helps!

---

Debra

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Answer 3

Does anyone have any suggestions on this issue? According to Intel, Microsoft develops the drivers for the host controller, so they are of no help in solving this problem.

Thank you

Answer 4

Thanks for responding, but I mentioned I did that already. It didn't work. I think the drivers are present, but are not functioning for some reason. 

I also tried to Update Driver, it said Windows has determined the current drivers are up to date (or something close to that).

Thanks

Answer 5

From Device Manager, Uninstall ALL USB Host Controller entries and reboot the notebook.  (Disconnect any USB peripherals  BEFORE this!).

Reboot the notebook. Win7 should re-find and reinstall the correct drivers.