USB Ports

[syoung27]

Hey guys, just wanted to get a little feedback on potential USB port issues with my laptop.

It’s an older Acer Aspire 5742 so they’re just USB 2.0. It seems only 1 of 3 USB ports works properly. The one which works 100% is on one side, the 2 on the other side seem to be an issue.
Given the age of my laptop it could full well be simple internal hardware connection problems, I was going to boot the Windows partition to check but given how long it’s been since I used it I didn’t want to wait for the abundance of updates it wanted to install when I booted Windows 7 partition.

When I plug a device in, it’s typically external drives which have a problem connecting or staying connected. So it’s possible those ports aren’t getting enough power anymore and failing or something like that.

So I’m curious if there’s a way to see if Suse is just having a problem with them recognizing devices properly or for me to know if there is a physical problem with them.
They do seem to be recognized in “Hardware Information.”

Hopefully this makes sense…

[mrmazda]

@syoung27

Given the age of my laptop it could full well be simple internal hardware connection problems, I was going to boot the Windows partition to check but given how long it’s been since I used it I didn’t want to wait for the abundance of updates it wanted to install when I booted Windows 7 partition.

If you use an ethernet cable for networking, unplug the cable, then boot Windows to test. If you use wireless, and are able to disable the Modem that provides Internet access, do that, then boot Windows. If it can’t access Internet, Windows won’t waste much time on updates it cannot do, and you can then test those two USB ports.

[syoung27]

@mrmazda

If you use an ethernet cable for networking, unplug the cable, then boot Windows to test. If you use wireless, and are able to disable the Modem that provides Internet access, do that, then boot Windows. If it can’t access Internet, Windows won’t waste much time on updates it cannot do, and you can then test those two USB ports.

Sorry I didn’t write that correctly. The updates must have been downloaded on previous windows shutdown, so now booting it’s on “configuring updates” so I don’t think it matters if I’m connected to the internet or not to bypass them.
Maybe I’ll just wait it out so I can test them.

[malcolmlewis]

@syoung27

Sorry I didn’t write that correctly. The updates must have been downloaded on previous windows shutdown, so now booting it’s on “configuring updates” so I don’t think it matters if I’m connected to the internet or not to bypass them.
Maybe I’ll just wait it out so I can test them.

Hi
When you plug a device in use the following commands to see what’s what and how much power is being used;

lsusb -t
usb-devices

[syoung27]

@malcolmlewis

Hi
When you plug a device in use the following commands to see what’s what and how much power is being used;

lsusb -t
usb-devices

spencer@linux-rqqt:~> lsusb -t
/:  Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/8p, 480M
/:  Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/6p, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 3, If 0, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 3, If 1, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
spencer@linux-rqqt:~> usb devices
If 'usb' is not a typo you can use command-not-found to lookup the package that contains it, like this:
    cnf usb
spencer@linux-rqqt:~> usb-devices

T:  Bus=01 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#=  1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev=04.12
S:  Manufacturer=Linux 4.12.14-lp150.12.45-default ehci_hcd
S:  Product=EHCI Host Controller
S:  SerialNumber=0000:00:1a.0
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  2 Spd=480 MxCh= 6
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=8087 ProdID=0020 Rev=00.00
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  3 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=ef(misc ) Sub=02 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=064e ProdID=c218 Rev=03.21
S:  Manufacturer=SuYin
S:  Product=1.3M HD WebCam
S:  SerialNumber=HF1316-P80A-SS03-VA-R03.02.01
C:  #Ifs= 2 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr=500mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=0e(video) Sub=01 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo
I:  If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 0 Cls=0e(video) Sub=02 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo

T:  Bus=02 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#=  1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev=04.12
S:  Manufacturer=Linux 4.12.14-lp150.12.45-default ehci_hcd                                                                                                                                     
S:  Product=EHCI Host Controller                                                                                                                                                                
S:  SerialNumber=0000:00:1d.0
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  2 Spd=480 MxCh= 8
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=8087 ProdID=0020 Rev=00.00
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

I don’t know what to make of this, hopefully you can tell me lol. Thanks

[malcolmlewis]

@syoung27

spencer@linux-rqqt:~> lsusb -t
/:  Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/8p, 480M

/:  Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/6p, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 3, If 0, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 3, If 1, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M

T:  Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  3 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=ef(misc ) Sub=02 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=064e ProdID=c218 Rev=03.21
S:  Manufacturer=SuYin
S:  Product=1.3M HD WebCam
S:  SerialNumber=HF1316-P80A-SS03-VA-R03.02.01
C:  #Ifs= 2 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr=500mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=0e(video) Sub=01 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo
I:  If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 0 Cls=0e(video) Sub=02 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo

I don’t know what to make of this, hopefully you can tell me lol. Thanks

Hi
So the webcam is sucking full power, how do things go with that unplugged? Check with the above two commands as you connect USB items…

[deano_ferrari]

@malcolmlewis

Hi
So the webcam is sucking full power, how do things go with that unplugged? Check with the above two commands as you connect USB items…

No, I don’t think that’s a correct interpretation. That’s just the requested power a device has registered, but not necessarily representative of the device’s nominal power usage.

[malcolmlewis]

@deano_ferrari

No, I don’t think that’s a correct interpretation. That’s just the requested power a device has registered, but not necessarily representative of the device’s nominal power usage.

Hi
True, but if other devices are connected to the same hub, there is the potential for other devices not to work…

[deano_ferrari]

@malcolmlewis

Hi
True, but if other devices are connected to the same hub, there is the potential for other devices not to work…

That’s true, however the output shared so far does not show other connected devices apart from the webcam, and that may not even be active. (I get the same reported for an inactive inbuilt webcam on my Toshiba laptop.)

[malcolmlewis]

Hi
@OP, anyway, looks like only one port is working, aside from the webcam… would expect to see a further two in the lsusb output. Not disabled in the BIOS, maybe a faulty/disconnected ribbon cable or a dead USB board, from memory they are separate to the main motherboard.

[syoung27]

hey guys, thanks for all the replies! sorry I didn’t respond earlier.

As for the webcam usage, I don’t see why it would be drawing much power when it’s not in use…I assume that’s just required power or available for use. I haven’t used it in years and definitely not since installing Leap 15.

So I assume the USB ports are faulty/dying. Some devices will connect but can intermittently disconnect/reconnect, it seems the primary issues are with external drives being connected to those two ports or devices which I suspect require significant power.
@malcolmlewis I think you are correct with there being a connection problem as I originally thought as well since the two faulty ports are side by side on the right side of my laptop beside the CD drive, which is also problematic at times.

I’m curious about your comment regarding the BIOS though, because a long time ago I had screwed with BIOS settings when I was trying to boot from a thumb drive. I kept screwing with the settings because it wouldn’t boot from it, which it turned out I hadn’t properly set the bootable OS on it (I think back around Dartmouth Suse).
Obviously it’s not disabled in BIOS but is there a setting I should check to ensure they ports are properly set?

…would it be worth me opening up the laptop to check the cables?

I appreciate your replies, I assume the ports are just dying so I don’t want you guys to waste your keystrokes unless you have any ideas.
Thanks!

[malcolmlewis]

@syoung27

hey guys, thanks for all the replies! sorry I didn’t respond earlier.

As for the webcam usage, I don’t see why it would be drawing much power when it’s not in use…I assume that’s just required power or available for use. I haven’t used it in years and definitely not since installing Leap 15.

So I assume the USB ports are faulty/dying. Some devices will connect but can intermittently disconnect/reconnect, it seems the primary issues are with external drives being connected to those two ports or devices which I suspect require significant power.
@malcolmlewis I think you are correct with there being a connection problem as I originally thought as well since the two faulty ports are side by side on the right side of my laptop beside the CD drive, which is also problematic at times.

I’m curious about your comment regarding the BIOS though, because a long time ago I had screwed with BIOS settings when I was trying to boot from a thumb drive. I kept screwing with the settings because it wouldn’t boot from it, which it turned out I hadn’t properly set the bootable OS on it (I think back around Dartmouth Suse).
Obviously it’s not disabled in BIOS but is there a setting I should check to ensure they ports are properly set?

…would it be worth me opening up the laptop to check the cables?

I appreciate your replies, I assume the ports are just dying so I don’t want you guys to waste your keystrokes unless you have any ideas.
Thanks!

Hi
The whole thing needs to be pulled down to check that cable… Likely the connectors getting old. Can you confirm the exact model, probably have some lying in the junk box and might be able to get you a board and cable.

Check in the BIOS, for Legacy USB settings, then check the lsusb -t again to see if more appear.

[syoung27]

@malcolmlewis

Hi
So the webcam is sucking full power, how do things go with that unplugged? Check with the above two commands as you connect USB items…

It’s a laptop so the webcam is built in.
Here is the output with an external drive connected to working port on left side, and phone connected to 1 of 2 faulty ports which are on right side of laptop.

spencer@linux-rqqt:~> lsusb -t
/:  Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/8p, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 7, If 0, Class=Vendor Specific Class, Driver=, 480M
        |__ Port 2: Dev 8, If 0, Class=Mass Storage, Driver=usb-storage, 480M
/:  Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/6p, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 3, If 0, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
        |__ Port 1: Dev 3, If 1, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
spencer@linux-rqqt:~> usb-devices

T:  Bus=01 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#=  1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev=04.12
S:  Manufacturer=Linux 4.12.14-lp150.12.45-default ehci_hcd
S:  Product=EHCI Host Controller
S:  SerialNumber=0000:00:1a.0
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  2 Spd=480 MxCh= 6
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=8087 ProdID=0020 Rev=00.00
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  3 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=ef(misc ) Sub=02 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=064e ProdID=c218 Rev=03.21
S:  Manufacturer=SuYin
S:  Product=1.3M HD WebCam
S:  SerialNumber=HF1316-P80A-SS03-VA-R03.02.01
C:  #Ifs= 2 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr=500mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=0e(video) Sub=01 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo
I:  If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 0 Cls=0e(video) Sub=02 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo

T:  Bus=02 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#=  1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev=04.12
S:  Manufacturer=Linux 4.12.14-lp150.12.45-default ehci_hcd
S:  Product=EHCI Host Controller                                                             
S:  SerialNumber=0000:00:1d.0                                                                
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  2 Spd=480 MxCh= 8
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=8087 ProdID=0020 Rev=00.00
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub  ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T:  Bus=02 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#=  7 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=1bbb ProdID=f003 Rev=03.10
S:  Manufacturer=Android
S:  Product=Android
S:  SerialNumber=bd41e46b
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr=500mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=00 Driver=(none)

T:  Bus=02 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=01 Cnt=02 Dev#=  8 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D:  Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs=  1
P:  Vendor=1058 ProdID=0704 Rev=01.75
S:  Manufacturer=Western Digital 
S:  Product=External HDD    
S:  SerialNumber=57442D5758455A30384B4332323039
C:  #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=c0 MxPwr=2mA
I:  If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=08(stor.) Sub=06 Prot=50 Driver=usb-storage

[syoung27]

@malcolmlewis

Hi
The whole thing needs to be pulled down to check that cable… Likely the connectors getting old. Can you confirm the exact model, probably have some lying in the junk box and might be able to get you a board and cable.

Check in the BIOS, for Legacy USB settings, then check the lsusb -t again to see if more appear.

It’s an Acer Aspire 5742 I believe. It’s definitely old and I’ve gotten plenty of use out of it so I wouldn’t be surprised if the hardware is starting to go, I can’t complain as it’s served me well for a relatively cheap laptop lol.

[malcolmlewis]

On Fri 15 Feb 2019 03:26:03 AM CST, syoung27 wrote:

malcolmlewis;2894568 Wrote:
> Hi
> The whole thing needs to be pulled down to check that cable…
> Likely the connectors getting old. Can you confirm the exact model,
> probably have some lying in the junk box and might be able to get you
> a board and cable.
>
> Check in the BIOS, for Legacy USB settings, then check the lsusb -t
> again to see if more appear.

It’s an Acer Aspire 5742 I believe. It’s definitely old and I’ve gotten
plenty of use out of it so I wouldn’t be surprised if the hardware is
starting to go, I can’t complain as it’s served me well for a relatively
cheap laptop lol.

Hi
Well I have a whole one here Acer Aspire 5742Z-4629, the K doesn’t work
on the keyboard, can strip it down and send you the parts if you want…

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
SLES 15 | GNOME Shell 3.26.2 | 4.12.14-25.28-default
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

[syoung27]

@malcolmlewis

Hi
Well I have a whole one here Acer Aspire 5742Z-4629, the K doesn’t work
on the keyboard, can strip it down and send you the parts if you want…

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
SLES 15 | GNOME Shell 3.26.2 | 4.12.14-25.28-default
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

Really? That would be sweet…depends how much it would cost me to ship it here to Ottawa, Canada though lol.

[malcolmlewis]

On Fri 15 Feb 2019 03:56:02 AM CST, syoung27 wrote:

malcolmlewis;2894571 Wrote:
> Hi
> Well I have a whole one here Acer Aspire 5742Z-4629, the K doesn’t
> work on the keyboard, can strip it down and send you the parts if you
> want…

Really? That would be sweet…depends how much it would cost me to ship
it here to Ottawa, Canada though lol.

Hi
Sent you a PM

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
SLES 15 | GNOME Shell 3.26.2 | 4.12.14-25.28-default
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

[mrmazda]

@malcolmlewis

Well I have a whole one here Acer Aspire 5742Z-4629, the K doesn’t work
on the keyboard, can strip it down and send you the parts if you want…

Have you tried to make the K key work? Most keyboards I find will favorably react to keycap removal and blasting the switch with a high pressure air blast. I have 120 PSI here.

[malcolmlewis]

On Fri 15 Feb 2019 05:26:03 AM CST, mrmazda wrote:

malcolmlewis;2894571 Wrote:
> Well I have a whole one here Acer Aspire 5742Z-4629, the K doesn’t
> work on the keyboard, can strip it down and send you the parts if you
> want…Have you tried to make the K key work? Most keyboards I find
> will
favorably react to keycap removal and blasting the switch with a high
pressure air blast. I have 120 PSI here.

Hi
Possibly could look at that, but no real interest, just have around for
parts

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
SLES 15 | GNOME Shell 3.26.2 | 4.12.14-25.28-default
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

[brunomcl]

@OP: How about testing with a powered USB hub? I’d test with a external drive both in the defective ports and the good one. If it works in the defective ones, then it is a power issue, and you can continue using them with the hub. If it only works in the good, port, well, you still have the hub to connect more than one device at a time.