I'm not entirely sure why this is, but I assume it depends on the PC's motherboard. Depending on your PC, there will either be a USB Universal Host Controller and a USB Root Hub listed for each of your computer’s USB ports or a USB Universal Host Controller and USB Root Hub for multiple ports.Īll of my test machines, for example, have a separate USB Universal Host Controller and USB Root Hub entry for each USB port, as shown in Figure A, while my editor's HP Kayak has a single USB Universal Host Controller and USB Root Hub for both his machine's ports. Beneath this node, you should see a USB Universal Host Controller and a USB Root Hub. To determine whether the USB controllers are working properly, open Device Manager and expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers node. Otherwise no USB devices will work on XP.Ī problem with Windows XP’s USB Controller configuration can also prevent any USB devices from working. Although the option's actual wording varies among BIOS manufacturers, you must enable this option by setting it to either On or Yes (depending on your BIOS manufacturer and BIOS version). On some computers there is a configuration option in the BIOS that asks whether an IRQ should be assigned to USB. When Windows XP won't recognize any USB device, regardless of which port it's connected to, there is likely a BIOS or Windows configuration problem.
Windows XP's failure to recognize any USB devices For more information on ensuring your hardware plays nice with Windows, check out this TechRepublic article from John Sheesley. Sometimes it just comes down to a process of trial and error. I've seen devices listed on the XP HCL not function properly and devices not listed on the HCL function perfectly, depending on the particular driver used.
Unfortunately, neither action is guaranteed to solve the problem. You should also download and install the latest device drivers. Check the Windows XP hardware compatibility list (HCL) and manufacturer’s site for information regarding XP compatibility. If you encounter a problem after upgrading, you'll first want to determine whether the device is compatible with XP. Here are some examples of the more common USB configuration problems, and their corresponding solutions.Īs with other peripherals, it's not uncommon for USB devices to cause problems after upgrading a computer from Windows 98, Me, or 2000 to XP. When USB devices fail to function properly in Windows XP, you should tailor your troubleshooting efforts to the type of problem and when it occurs. While I think it's fair to say that USB devices are generally easier to configure and less prone to problems than their serial- and parallel-based ancestors, problems can still occur.
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