Intermittent Unknown Device, Help Please

Related discussion continues here => http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/fdd07fd6-79be-4e09-b3b5-6bae7984e28d

Okay, here it is:

Using your suggestions I started with "Method Three". I did that because I suspected the problem to be in that area. What I found was strong indication that my Xigmatek card reader may be the culprit.

In order to keep this from being a very long post I’m going to skip the details as to exactly what I did and at what point certain anomalies became apparent and leap right to the reason why I think the Xigmatek may be the problem.

(If you click on this link you will see the specifications of the Xigmatek card reader I have: http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=157&type=specification)

One of the “clues” that has me believing it’s the Xigmatek is that when I would plug the eSATA plug of the BlackArmor into the eSATA port of the Xigmatek, I would not hear the "new hardware connected" sound that Windows makes whenever you plug the device in.

That fact in itself was not always consistent but whenever I didn’t hear the sound the BlackArmor would not show up in the drop-down list of the “safe to remove” option. So I plugged the BlackArmor’s eSATA plug to the eSATA port in the back of the computer that is directly connected to the motherboard.

As soon as I did that I heard the “new hardware connected” sound that Windows would make and the BlackArmor would show up in the drop-down list of the “safe to remove” option. I could continue to give reasons for my suspicion of the Xigmatek but to keep things short I’ll jump into the results.

The “Unknown Device” alert disappeared just after changing the eSATA plug location of the BlackArmor and then restarting the computer. I thought I nailed it and tried a few more restarts just to see if it would come back and it didn’t.

Then this morning I restarted the computer and the “Unknown Device” alert was back. I went on to take care some things I had to do and then unplugged my dongle for the wireless Logitech MK 700 and plugged it back in the same location in the USB 2.0 port of the Xigmatek.

I restarted the computer and once again the “Unknown Device” alert was gone. I’m sure it will return but I am going to contact Xigmatek and see if I can’t get in exchange on this reader. I installed it back in June so it’s still under warranty and I just simply believe this is the problem at this point.

When the “Unknown Device” alert returns, (because I’m sure it will), assuming the new Xigmatek doesn’t fix it, I will continue with the troubleshooting process you have outlined. Of course, I don’t know when it will return so I may have to start a new topic in order to display the results if it doesn’t return within a week or so.

At this point I guess I shouldn’t click the “Market As Answer” because I don’t know if this is the solution yet. But that’s the problem with intermittent problems, and always has been.

Thank you for your help, you can be sure that I will continue with the troubleshooting process when the opportunity arises and I will update this topic if not start a new one.

Rich

Hi! Thank you very much for the options and I want you to know I will follow these procedures as listed. However, I must split the time I have between several other things that I’m doing that are unrelated to this.

So I am sure that whatever I don’t get a chance to do tonight regarding these steps, I will have done by tomorrow. That said, this is what I have for you so far. Please note my paragraph that starts with “One more important thing, (It may or may not help in your deductions). I will return with more info on the results of the other options.

Thanks again, Rich

·         To answer your first question: About 3 months ago , (early September), I did a complete and clean install of Windows 7 with a paid & Registered copy on DVD to a Brand new Seagate Barracuda Hard drive that was also clean. Nearly everything in the computer was placed in just prior to the Windows install including Mobo & CPU. The mobo Bios was flashed and updated.

The start of the intermittent Unknown Device was not apparent and I THINK I may have notice it about a month or so ago. It is hard to say just what could have started it but it was roughly about the same time I installed a 2 internal hard drive, (not Raid config).

·         To answer your second question regarding trying to update the driver, yes, as I had stated in my initial request, ALL the drivers were checked one at a time. I also ran the trouble shoot assistant which said that I needed a driver for the unknown device but none were found in the Windows search.

Of course, I don’t know what it is so I can’t go online to the developer and get the driver myself.

·         This is what it states in the “General Tab”:

The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)

There is no driver selected for the device information set or element.

To find a driver for this device, click Update Driver.

·         ONE MORE IMPORTANT POINT!: I forgot to mention that every time I connect a device to a USB Port I get a dialog box that opens and tells me the device can run faster if I chose a faster port, (paraphrasing).

This happens even when I connect my Passport 3.0 USB drive to a 3.0 USB Port. I know that the port is giving that drive the 3.0 USB speed and not 2.0 because I checked every single one with a hard drive software tool called “HD Tune”. It verified that my 3.0 devices were running at 3.0 speeds and my eSata drive was running at eSata speeds. The same goes for the 2.0 Drives.

What’s interesting here is that I get that Dialog box even when I plug in a Joystick, and even stranger, I get it even when I load a DVD or CD into the disc reader!

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft community! Before proceeding with the troubleshooting, provide us with the information.

1. Did you make any changes on the computer prior to the issue?
2. Have you tried right-clicking the Unknown Device and selecting Update Driver Software?

Let’s check for the status of the unknown device.

a. Right-click the Unknown Device in Device Manager and select Properties.

b. Under General tab, check for the status of the Unknown Device under Device status.

Does it show any error message/code associated with the Unknown Device? If yes, let us know the exact error message.

Method 1:

Run the hardware and device troubleshooter and check if the issue still persists.

Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Hardware-and-Devices-troubleshooter

Method 2:

Perform a clean boot and check if any third party software is causing the issue.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After trouble shooting put the computer to start as usual by performing step 3 from the above Knowledge Base article.

Method 3:

You may check after uninstalling and reinstalling the USB drivers if you are able to connect. You may disconnect all USB devices and then perform the following steps:

a. ClickStart, and then clickControl Panel.

b. ClickSystem and Maintenance, clickSystem, and then clickDevice Manager.

Note If Control Panel is in Classic View, double-clickSystem, and then clickDevice Manager.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or clickAllow.

c. In Device Manager, double click to expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers", right click on the Host Controller, click "Uninstall" and click "OK".

Check if at all there is an exclamation mark along the driver, it suggests issues with the driver installed.

d. Repeat the step 2 to uninstall all items under "Universal Serial Bus controllers".

Then, restart your computer and Windows 7 will reinstall all USB controllers automatically.

If you still face the same issue then you may check for the updated USB device drivers using windows update. Refer to the below link for assistance–

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly

Hope this information is helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.