How to enable usb ports. Connecting Android to a computer via USB as a flash drive. Hardware damage to ports
Hi all! Today we will look at several questions on the topic of how to connect USB to a computer. First, we will learn how to connect any devices to a PC or laptop. And secondly, I’ll tell you how you can connect additional USB ports to your computer if you don’t have enough of them for all your devices. So, let's go!
How to connect a USB cable to a computer?
A USB port is by far the most common type of connecting devices to a computer or laptop. There are three types of connectors: 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0. If the first one can now be found only on the oldest computers, then the second and third ones are used today. At their core, they differ in data transfer speed. And according to appearance, what is more important for us now is color. USB 2.0 has a black connector and plug, USB 3.0 has a blue color. You can read more about the specifications and differences between standards.
Before connecting the USB cable to the computer, look at the plug of your gadget - if the blue connector is connected to the black port, the device will not use all its speed characteristics to the maximum. If you stick a black fork into a blue one, then absolutely nothing will happen - just USB port 3.0 will work at the speed that is maximum for 2.0.
So let's look at back panel of your computer, find a USB port of the same color as the plug and connect it.
After this, the device will either be detected by itself in the system, if it is a keyboard, mouse, webcam, or some other simple and common device for which Windows already has a driver. Or to work you will need to install the software that comes with the device on CD.
How to connect additional USB ports to a computer?
Any modern motherboard already has built-in USB ports - both 2.0 and 3.0. However, we usually connect so many different peripherals that there may simply not be enough of them, for example, to connect a flash drive or external drive and upload fresh photos to it.
Connecting a USB stick to the rear panel
What to do? There are two ways. The first, preferable one, is to buy a separate bracket with USB ports and insert it into the additional slots available on the back panel of the case - the same ones where we attach video or sound card, wireless adapter, and other components connected directly to the board. It looks like this:
In order to accomplish this task, the motherboard must support the connection of additional USB ports. This can be determined by the presence on system board connectors labeled USB or USB 3.
Connectors for USB 3.0 are large, have many contacts and are designed to connect two ports at once in one plug.
USB 2.0 is smaller and each of them can be connected to 2 ports separately.
Accordingly, we look at the presence of such connectors on the motherboard, buy the corresponding brackets, fix them in the back of the case and connect them to our connectors.
Connecting a unit with USB ports instead of a flop
Another variation of this method of increasing the number of ports is special block with USB, which is inserted into the front of the case instead of the old floppy disk - 3.5 floppy
There are many options for designing such a block. For example, combined to connect USB 2.0 and 3.0
And in following example USB 2.0 ports combined with microphone and headphone jacks
Connecting such a block occurs in exactly the same way as the bracket described above - to the corresponding connectors on the motherboard.
External USB hub
Finally, another option for increasing the number of ports is to buy an external USB hub. However, there are a number of disadvantages, because of which I would not connect any serious equipment through it, but would only use it for flash drives or, as a last resort, a mouse.
Since this is a hub, all the load from its several ports goes to one single computer to which it is connected. Due to this overload, certain devices may periodically fall off, which is not good. If you connect to USB hub HDD, then the electricity supplied through it may not be enough to operate it. Therefore, we reserve this method only for light fast food - flash drives.
Selecting a boot disk
In BIOS it is better not to set the disk drive as the first boot device. Instead of a disk drive, specify a hard drive.
Most PCs set the disk drive as the priority boot device by default. This option will slow down the PC boot for a couple of seconds as it will check to see if there is a boot floppy in the drive. There is also no need to do this because there is a danger of becoming infected with a boot virus from a “dirty” floppy disk. And how often do you boot from a floppy disk? And why do you need this disgusting sound of accessing an empty drive? It is better to set the hard drive as the first boot device.
IN BIOS Setup It is possible to specify the devices from which downloading is possible, as well as the order in which they are checked. Let's look at how to remove the disk drive from the first boot device. To do this, select Advanced BIOS Features, Boot Sequence, then select 1st Boot Device and change its value from Floppy to Hard Disk. In principle, a hard drive can also be called HDD-O. As a result, the computer will boot directly from the hard drive, bypassing the floppy disk. Of course, if necessary, the boot order can always be restored by returning to BIOS Setup.
But now, even if the computer does not try to boot from the floppy disk, it will still check the disk drive when booting, wasting time. To avoid checking the drive, set the Boot Up Floppy Seek option to Disabled.
Speed up PC boot using BIOS
As you understand, to speed up loading it is important that the PC does not check unnecessary devices, but boots immediately from the hard drive. In addition, it is better to disable the search for new hard drives and other devices. If you do not often change the set of hard drives in the system, then set the search time to zero. For this purpose in Main menu set the Timeout value to 0.
How to enable USB 2.0 support in BIOS
USB: If you installed Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you should enable the USB 2.0 Controller option.
On many motherboards, the USB Controllers option is set to USB mode 1.1. This is due to the fact that Windows XP without Service Packs (and special patches) does not support USB 2.0. This is why USB 2.0 support usually has to be enabled manually.
For turning on USB 2.0 in BIOS Setup, set the option to Enabled (as shown in the illustration above) or to V1.1+V2.0. But remember that to use the USB 2.0 interface, you must install at least Service Pack 1 for Windows XP.
How to solve problems with USB devices using BIOS
Some flash drives, MP3 players, and USB flash drives are powered by a USB port. If there is not enough power, the device will not work. This is why you should make sure that the USB port provides enough power for such devices.
Check if your BIOS has an option called USB 2.0 HS Reference Voltage. If there is, then change the value from Low or Medium to High or Maximum.
How to change the PC's response to a power outage in the BIOS?
In the Power Management section of BIOS Setup, you can specify how the computer will react when the power is turned off. The AC Power Loss Restart or Restore on AC Power Loss options in the BIOS are responsible for the behavior of the computer after a power outage and subsequent power restoration. Set this option to On or Enabled if you want the computer to boot automatically. Either Off or Disabled otherwise.
How to check PC temperature and status via BIOS
BIOS provides information about the operating parameters of your PC. You can monitor the real-time status of vital system components, including the CPU, fans, power supply and hard disks. For example, you can enable an alarm in the BIOS if the processor exceeds a certain temperature, or even implement an emergency shutdown. As a result, your system will not overheat.
Various items in the Health or H/W Control sections allow you to monitor changes in voltages, as well as temperature sensors. Most BIOS display values for the temperature of the processor and case, and in some versions other temperatures, say, of the hard drive or chipset motherboard. In addition, in the BIOS you can find out the fan rotation speed (in rpm).
How to fix problems with coolers using BIOS
If your PC won't boot, it could be because the cooler is spinning too low or stopping altogether. This situation is especially common with high-end coolers, whose rotation speed depends on temperature. They may spin very slowly (or stop altogether) at low temperatures, causing the BIOS to think the fan has failed. In such cases it helps correct setting BIOS.
Set the option value in the BIOS CPU Fan Failure Warning in Disabled. When you disable this option, the computer will boot even if the fan is spinning at low speed. Of course, there is another problem: you may not be able to enter the BIOS at all, since the computer may refuse to boot for the reason mentioned above (in many BIOSes this option is set to Enabled by default). In this case, you will have to temporarily connect any cheap cooler to the motherboard, which always rotates at maximum speed. And after disabling the setting, you can connect a high-end model.
How to avoid system crash
Modern hard drives can detect symptoms or problems that precede drive failure and alert the BIOS. This feature is called Self Monitoring And Reporting Technology (SMART). Enabling the HDD SMART Capability feature allows the BIOS to send warnings to programs like Norton System Works or the well-known free utility SpeedFan. As a result, the user receives information about the status of the drives. This opportunity allows you to take the necessary measures as soon as the first symptoms of an impending failure begin to appear.
Connecting old printers and scanners (LPT)
Parallel port: The fastest mode is ECP + EPP.
A computer's parallel port (LPT) typically only works in one direction. This setting is suitable for almost all devices, although the transfer speed is limited to 100 kbps. You can switch the LPT port to a more modern mode, which gives speeds of up to 1 Mbit/s.
To do this, you need to enable the ECP (Extended Capability Port) or EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) mode. In fact, you can enable both modes at once by setting the ECP/EPR or ECP + EPP option.
Warning: if you have several devices connected to one port, problems may arise with speed modes. In such situations, we can recommend purchasing an additional PCI expansion card, which will allow you to add a second LPT port. Or buy a USB-LPT adapter. Or, of course, upgrade to a more modern scanner or printer.
This part of the section is addressed to demanding users who want to speed up boot times as much as possible, optimize system parameters, and fully utilize the computing resources of the PC, the capabilities of the motherboard chipset and memory.
How to enable BIOS to display POST test results during boot
When booting a PC, many computers display multi-colored manufacturer logos instead of POST (Power-on Self-Test) lines. But, it seems to us, it will be much more useful to see which element of the computer is being tested, and with what results.
In the Advanced BIOS Features section, find the Full Screen LOGO Display item and set it to Disabled. After this, you will be able to observe the results of all PC tests during boot.
How to configure the BIOS to make your PC boot even faster
Using BIOS, you can further reduce the boot time of your PC, reducing the time of the first test. Of course, we recommend doing this only if all PC components are working stably. For example, you can enable the BIOS to check available memory once instead of three times. To do this, go to the Advanced or Advanced BIOS Features section, find the Quick Power On Self Test or Quick Boot option and set it to Enabled.
How to enable another video card in BIOS
If your computer has multiple interfaces that can accommodate a graphics card (integrated graphics, AGP, PCI Express, PCI), then the BIOS will try to determine which of them the working card is located in when booting. But this is not necessary, because all necessary information you know!
Select an option in BIOS Setup called Init Display First, which may also be called Primary VGA BIOS or VGA Boot From depending on the BIOS version. Specify the AGP value if you are using graphics card AGP. On systems with PCI Express, this option is usually called PEG Port/Graphic Adapter Priority. In this case, set it to PEG if you are using a PCI Express card.
How to enable or disable processor cache in BIOS
Enabling any level of processor cache (1,2 or 3) provides a significant performance boost.
The CPU runs significantly faster than other components on the motherboard and often has to wait for data to arrive. The processor cache, which is a high-speed memory located between the CPU and RAM computer.
The first level cache (L1) is very small, but it is located on the processor core, close to the compute units, providing quickly accessible storage for temporary data. The second level cache (L2) is significantly larger in size and can store some entire program elements or pieces of data. When the processor requests data, it first checks its presence in the cache. If the required data is there, then the computer's performance increases significantly, because memory cannot respond at the same speed as the cache. Some processors, usually professional grade, also have an L3 cache. As you understand, the cache should always be enabled.
How to enable API C in BIOS
The motherboard chipset most often consists of two chips, which are called north and south bridges. They are responsible for transferring data between the processor, RAM, expansion cards and peripheral devices. Enabling the APIC (advanced programmable interrupt controller) mode in the BIOS allows for improved operation of devices. The number of interrupts increases from 16 to 24, and managing them using APIC is much simpler and more convenient.
All you need to do is go to the Advanced BIOS Features menu and set the APIC Mode option to Enabled.
How to enable Burst Mode in BIOS
Burst Mode allows you to speed up many things: working with hard drives, PCI cards and RAM. Batch mode allows you to transfer multiple pieces of data in one transmission instead of processing all the pieces individually.
Warning: Many PCI cards may not function properly if the PCI Dynamic Bursting option is set to Enabled.
How to turn off built-in sound in BIOS
Often the motherboard's built-in sound controller is not used. For example, if you have installed a powerful PCI sound card or generally use a computer without speakers. Then it makes sense to turn off the sound on the motherboard. In some cases, this can improve overall system performance and stability.
In the Integrated Peripherals menu, set the AC97 Audio Select item to Disabled (as shown in the illustration above).
How to disable the game port in the BIOS
The game port is useful only to owners of old joysticks or those users who use it as a MIDI interface. Then it makes sense to allocate two I/O ports and an interrupt to the game port. (By the way, if you have a joystick, it most likely uses USB connection.) For all other users, it is better to disable the game port.
In the Integrated Peripherals menu, set the Game Port item to Disabled.
How to disable the network port in the BIOS
Some motherboards come with two network interfaces, but generally most users only need one. It is better to disable interfaces that are not working. In some cases, this improves system performance and stability.
In the Integrated Peripherals menu, set the Onboard Intel LAN item to Disabled.
How to disable unnecessary ports in the BIOS
Today, only older PDAs and modems need serial ports COM1 and COM2.
Disabling ports saves two IRQs, reducing the number of interrupts the processor must check. Yes and parallel interface LPT is unlikely to be needed by anyone today. Moreover, modern printers and scanners are connected to a USB port.
From the Integrated Peripherals menu, disable the COM1 and COM2 interfaces (option Y Devices, Com-Port, but can also be called Serial Port 12). Disable the LPT port by setting the Parallel Port item to Disabled.
How to disable FireWire (IEEE1394) in BIOS
The FireWire interface is only needed if you need to download video from a video camera or connect FireWire peripherals. In all other situations, it is better to turn off the interface.
In the Integrated Peripherals menu, set the Onboard 1394 device item to Disabled.
First, you need to figure out why you might need to disconnect USB ports on your computer. Everything is quite simple here. With the advent of miniature data storage devices operating via USB, a need arose to prevent data leakage from computers. Using a regular flash drive or portable hard drive, you can easily steal any information. To prevent such incidents, it is necessary to completely disable USB ports. Of course, everyone may have their own reasons for disabling ports, but this is not so important. Below are several ways to disable USB ports on your computer.
Disable USB ports in BIOS settings
In fact, everything is quite simple: go to BIOS settings and disable all ports, or those that are necessary. The nuance is that on this moment There are several versions of BIOS, and port disabling is sometimes different in each.
BIOS Award. Go to the BIOS settings and select the item Integrated Peripherals. Let's go to this menu. Next, we simply find the points: USB EHCI Controller, USB Keyboard Support, USB Mouse Support and Legacy USB storage detect and disable them by selecting the option Disabled. Then we simply save the settings and restart the computer;
Phoenix Award And AMI BIOS. Go to settings and select the item Advanced (sometimes some versions may have a Peripherals item) or Advanced BIOS Features. Next we go to the menu USB Configuration. Next, turn off all USB items, save the settings and restart the computer;
UEFI. More modern panel. Go to the menu Peripherals or Advanced. Selecting items Legacy USB Support And USB 3.0 Support and turn them off. Next, save the settings and restart the PC.
Note! In some versions, the menu items may have slightly different names, but that's okay, just go through all the menus and find the USB settings.
Disable USB using the registry
This is a more suitable way. In the registry you can disable access of USB ports to specific devices, not the ports themselves. At a time when almost everything is connected via USB, including a mouse and keyboard, this method will be preferable. You can simply disable port access specifically to flash drives, but at the same time computer mouse will work fine.
Open the registry editor: keyboard shortcut Win+R, enter the command regedit and click OK. Next, move on to the next section:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR
Find an item Start. Open it and enter the value 4 . Save the settings and restart your computer. This section blocks access external drives to the port.
Note! If USB controller drivers are not installed on the computer, then the value Start will automatically change to the value 3 as soon as the device is connected to the port.
Disable USB via Device Manager
Open device Manager: right click mouse on My computer, open Properties, Further device Manager. Open the menu USB controllers
. Right-click and context menu select an item Disable.
Important! The option of removing drivers for USB controllers will not work, since the first time you connect the device to the port, Windows will begin installing the drivers.
Disable USB using Windows files
Denying access using the Local Group Policy Editor
You can also ban reading and writing.
Additionally
It is also worth mentioning that there are two more ways to restrict access to ports: restrict access using third party programs and physically disabling ports.
There is plenty of third-party software on the Internet, and each one is configured differently, so there is no point in describing this method in the article. All you need to do is find the desired program and instructions for it.
As for physically disabling ports, this method will only work with ports on the front panel of the system unit. Open system unit and carefully disconnect the wires going to the ports.
Bottom line
Whatever the reason for the need to disable USB ports, now you know how to do it.
Peripheral devices such as a mouse, keyboard, Web camera, and printer are usually connected to the computer via USB ports. In this case, it often happens that one or more ports stop working. That is, when you connect, for example, a flash drive to a computer, it is not recognized, the keyboard or mouse may freeze, and the printer may not respond or print pages.
There are several likely reasons why some or all of the USB ports on your computer are not working. Let's try to understand this issue and find out what should be done to restore normal functioning of the computer.
Checking BIOS settings
The first thing you should pay attention to is the settings Computer BIOS. To enter the BIOS you will need a working keyboard. If the keyboard is connected to the computer via USB and it does not work, then you need to connect a keyboard with a PS/2 connector. Otherwise, you simply won't be able to do anything.
So, let's go to the BIOS, for which, when starting the computer, you need to press the enter key, usually DEL. There may be another key that appears on the screen and is listed in the motherboard manual. After entering the BIOS, find the section responsible for integrated devices (Integrated Peripherals) or the “Advanced” section. Here you should find the “Onboard Devices Configuration” subsection. It is there that the parameters responsible for USB operation controllers: USB Function or USB 2.0 Controller. These parameters must be Enabled. And if one of them is disabled, then hover over it and press Enter, thereby turning it on. To ensure that the changes you make are not lost, you must save them by pressing F10 and confirm saving by pressing the Y or Enter key.
After restarting the computer, check if the USB ports are working. And if not, then you should look for the reason elsewhere.
USB ports on the front of the computer do not work
As a special case, USB only on the front panel may not work for you. In such a situation, you need to check whether the necessary connectors on the motherboard are connected and whether the wires are damaged. To do this we open side cover system unit and pay attention to the connector at the bottom of the motherboard. On the board itself there is an inscription USB1 or USB2, as well as on the block itself. The wires from the block go to the front panel, and if they are disconnected or broken in one place, then you have discovered the cause of the malfunction. Damaged wires should be connected or replaced. It would also be a good idea to check the contact in the connector on the motherboard. It is also worth paying attention to the board located on the front panel. Perhaps there is short circuit By the way, such a short circuit can be caused by accumulated dust. Therefore, be sure to clean the system unit from dust.
Problems with the device itself or the cable
The next source of problems with USB may be the cable with which, for example, the printer is connected. This fault is easy to identify and fix. We connect the flash drive to the connector being tested. If it works, then we try to connect another known-good equipment, for example a USB hub, using a suspicious cable. If it also refuses to work, then the reason is clearly in the cable and it should be replaced.
Power outages
There are situations when there is simply not enough power for all devices. For example, when connecting external hard A disk that uses two USB connectors at once may turn off the printer or keyboard. In this case, the power of the power supply is not enough to provide energy to all consumers. In this case, the problem may not appear immediately, but after some time after turning on the computer. There are several ways out of the situation. If you have a low-power power supply installed, for example, 300 W, then it would be logical to change it to a more powerful one, 450-600 W. You can also use an active USB hub (with external power supply). It will allow you not only to increase the number of connected USB devices, but also to power them from a separate power supply.
Another reason that affects USB operation is a dead CMOS battery. But at the same time, every time you turn on the computer, you will observe a lost system time and date. After replacing the battery the problem goes away. But this does not occur often, so you should check other possible sources of malfunction.
Missing or incorrect installation of USB drivers
Reasons related to software malfunctions in Windows 7/10, can be identified using Device Manager. If you notice that one or more devices in particular are not working, regardless of the port used, this may indicate that the problem is in the device itself. Open Control Panel and go to Device Manager. All connected devices will be displayed there. If there are items in the list next to which there is a yellow Exclamation point or instead of the name there is Unknown device, then the problem is in this very device. There may be several possible problems here.
Often USB inputs stop working after Windows reinstallation 7/10. The reason is incorrect installation drivers or the necessary drivers may not be found at all. You will have to select and install manually.
Often, to fix a problem you just need to update the drivers. So, if automatic Windows update, and the system itself was installed quite a long time ago, then its relevance is lost software, may appear system errors. In this case, the device begins to work incorrectly, or even stops functioning altogether. To update (reinstall) USB controller drivers, you can use a CD/DVD with drivers for the motherboard or download the necessary drivers from the motherboard manufacturer's website.
You can also turn off the power saving feature for all ports using Device Manager. Expand the list of used USB devices, hidden in the sections “USB Controllers”, “Mouse and Other Pointing Devices”, “Keyboards”. Double-click on the desired device to open the properties window. Now switch to the “Power Management” tab and uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” checkbox. Thus, the device will always be activated under any circumstances.
If some equipment is not recognized, then there may be either a problem with the drivers already known to us, or a hardware problem, consisting of a lack of contact, a damaged cable, or a malfunction of the controller. Moreover, it often happens that when a faulty device is connected, the others stop working normally. The keyboard starts to freeze, as does the mouse, and the printer stops printing. The problem is similar to power shortage, that is, all the power consumption goes to a faulty device, which may have a simple short circuit or other malfunction.
USB ports not working due to controller damage
If none of the above actions helped restore the functionality of the USB ports, then you should check the USB controller of the motherboard, which may have failed. In this case, high-quality repairs and diagnostics should be entrusted to specialists service center. As a way out of the problem, try installing an expansion card, the so-called USB PC controller, which is installed in the PCI slot on the motherboard. This solution is noticeably cheaper than repairing the motherboard USB controller, and when using an additional USB hub, the problem with the lack of ports will not be relevant at all.
As you can see, finding and fixing problems with USB ports is quite a troublesome task, and all because there can be a lot of reasons. Consistent search and elimination of obviously incorrect paths will allow you to identify and eliminate the problem.