USB issue

dave clark · « **on:** 1 Aug 2009, 04:04 pm »

Have a MacBook (Intel based) that is having issues with the right (of the two) USB ports. The left USB ports sees anything plugged into it (USB mouse, USB hub, Hagerman USB converter, any external USB dac, an Empirical Off-Ramp, etc.). The right one does not see the USB mouse, Empirical Off Ramp, nor USB hub. On the other hand, it will see (and power) the Hagerman and see the external DAC section of my Playback MPS-5 CD player.
What happened is that I had an issue with the Empirical unit when it was plugged into the right USB port (not the Empirical's fault - but mine) and since then it will not see that device nor any other device that was plugged into the computer's other USB port at the time (the USB hub with the logitech mouse and iLok). I know the port works as it will power another device (like the Hagerman where it works fine) and will send an output to a device (like the MPS-5 which works fine). But it will now not see the Empirical nor the USB hub....
I have tried rebooting, different USB cables, removing the battery and waiting to reboot, disconnecting everything, etc.... help? Suggestions?
dave

mattyturner · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Aug 2009, 04:46 pm »

Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info

You should be able to list the USB ports on your computer (and it also shows what is plugged in) if your devices are showing up here as plugged in but not elsewhere you have a software issue for certain.

Otherwise, do you live near an apple store?! (Don't tell them you broke it though!)

dave clark · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Aug 2009, 05:03 pm »

Have checked that already. The ones that work on the USB port on the left, show up under that USB port's listings and the ones that work on the right USB port show up under that USB port's listings (when so connected). The ones that do not work on the right USB port naturally are not listed when connected.
Have tried the flash on reboot and nadda.
I know the USB port on the right works as it powers the Hagerman and will connect to the MPS-5, but it will no not recognize either the Empirical nor the USB hub as did prior to the issue. It is simply not seeing certain devices - the ones that were connected when I had the issue with the Empirical - of which work fine on the other USB port. Time to reload OSX?

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Aug 2009, 05:48 pm »

You might run the disk repair utility with your startup disk. I had a USB problem, where my iMac wasn't recognizing devices, particularly mice, hard disks, and a powered USB hub, even when I rebooted with the devices plugged in and turned on. I booted my computer from the startup disk and ran the disk repair application in disk utilities, which fixed the problem.

Of course, when starting up your computer, make sure the USB devices are already plugged in and turned on.

I would only see an Apple Store "genius" as a last resort. They once told a friend that he needed to reformat his HD when that was clearly unnecessary.

dave clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Aug 2009, 06:06 pm »

Tried that and found nothing wrong....

dave clark · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Aug 2009, 07:00 pm »

I do suspect that some sort of 'jolt' was sent to that USB port when I had the issue... so that certainly would have done something (well... obviously did), but since the port still works with some items and not with others it is odd. The Hagerman requires power and that it gets and works fine. On the other hand, the USB hub, iLok, and Logitech mouse transmitter also require power, and yet they do not work. The Mac works fine (USB out) on the problem port to the MPS-5 (shows in the midi and USB listings) and yet the Empirical is a no-show - though it works fine on the other port. I would of thought that if the port had been fried or whatever, then it would not work with anything, and yet it does.

Interestingly enough... just tried three other devices on the suspect USB port: my iPod Touch, a Benchmark Pre1, and a card reader. All work fine and show up in the appropriate locations on the MacBook.... and yet neither the Empirical nor the USB hub and its associated devices will work on that port.