Computer Experts - - yet again.....

[RCW]

Skeets and I should get some kind of award for not being technical.

Correction - - I shouldn't throw my friend @skeets under the bus.....I think he's smarter at it than I am.

I used computers every day for many years, but my skills still are lacking.

First, I was absolutely tickled I could copy the "Documents" folder to a USB drive for a backup! Couldn't figure it out a year ago.....

Second, and reason for quandary. I use a wireless mouse. Uses one of the two USB ports on the laptop. The other USB port is wonky. Whenever I plug something into it, I get an error message.

I took a picture of the error. Googled it a while back, and said something about uninstalling and reinstalling the port?

Computer is a Lenovo laptop with touch screen (never used that feature) and is maybe 2-3 years old.

The “unknown” USB device is for the wireless mouse, so it’s been in the computer since new.

The other USB works fine.

Is this something I can fix, or does it need to go to the shop?

Understand my abilities are limited at best...you won't hurt my feelings....

 

[ayak]

There are multiple flavors (and capabilities) of USB ports-and likely the one giving that message is the older version that can’t provide enough voltage to something new fangled wanting more. See if there is any difference in color, or any type of insignia showing on the other one. Seems like newer ones may show some blue in and around the ‘duck’s mouth’

 

[GreensvilleJay]

It's not low voltage it's CURRENT that's wrong.
USB ports have a lot of 'flexibility' and one of them is limiting the amount of current that can be sent to the 'device'.
Odds are some 'app' or program has decided to change the 'power setting' for that USB port.it took me 3 days of digging to find what POS 'app' had changed a port on this PC, so I never allow 'updates' on ANYTHING except the virus database.
I find it hard to believe that laptop had a 'high' power and a 'low' power USB port. USB by 'standard' should allow 2 amps of current. That info 'should' be in the owner's manual of the laptop.yeah I know I'm dreaming....
If you can, find and download a program called USBview. Once installed you can 'open' up all the USB ports, see what's there, the 100+ settings, etc.

Here's what USBview says about the mass storage device (flash drive). USBview will have a list on the left of all the possible USB ports and what is connected to them. Click on one and about 2/3rds down this shows up.
MaxPower: 0x64 (200 Ma)

Some 'software' (probably the FD 'driver' , has decided to limit power to 200ms for this flash drive.

 

[xrocketengineer]

Some easy things to try, non of them have catastrophic consequences: USB port not working

 

[RCW]

There are multiple flavors (and capabilities) of USB ports-and likely the one giving that message is the older version that can’t provide enough voltage to something new fangled wanting more. See if there is any difference in color, or any type of insignia showing on the other one. Seems like newer ones may show some blue in and around the ‘duck’s mouth’

View attachment 148318

Don’t know if it will show but both look to be labeled SS….

 

[ayak]

Don’t know if it will show but both look to be labeled SS….

View attachment 148322

Then there’s likely an issue with the port, I would speculate. With the laptop unplugged and the battery out, maybe see if a can of air duster (or some such dry keyboard cleaner) can dislodge a dust bunny back in there. I doubt I myself would put any thing else ($ or time) into it, given the laptop’s age.

 

[Sidekick]

If you're plugging in a USB3 item be sure to use a USB3 rated cable or you will see an error. The older USB2 cables and charging cables only have 4 leads and USB3 have 9 leads.

 

[OntheRidge]

I added a powered usb hub to my laptop to give me more ports as well as not being self powered. Inconvenient if you are on the go, though.

 

[RCW]

Some easy things to try, non of them have catastrophic consequences: USB port not working

Thanks so much for your suggestion. Sounded like what I saw earlier when searching.

Unfortunately, none of them worked.

Good side, I was easily able to follow the steps!

 

[RCW]

Then there’s likely an issue with the port, I would speculate. With the laptop unplugged and the battery out, maybe see if a can of air duster (or some such dry keyboard cleaner) can dislodge a dust bunny back in there. I doubt I myself would put any thing else ($ or time) into it, given the laptop’s age.

I did blow out the port. Looks clean. Betting your estimation of a bad port is correct.

 

[RCW]

If you're plugging in a USB3 item be sure to use a USB3 rated cable or you will see an error. The older USB2 cables and charging cables only have 4 leads and USB3 have 9 leads.

That's way beyond my IT comprehension but will pay more attention.

I'm beginning to think the port itself is wonky like @ayak was saying.

We did a messy (dusty) house project here a year ago, but this problem was before that.

I can take the USB wireless mouse thing from one port where it works fine....put it in the other and I get that error.....

I did all the uninstall/reinstall stuff that @xrocketengineer suggested, and no success there either.....Those were the steps I recall when I looked at it before. Thought that was the ticket....

I also need to look into the powered USB Hub @OntheRidge mentions. Would solve my issue.

I don't often have our <40 year old offspring here.....They'd probably say "Dad, just do this....."

 

[RCW]

For the folks that offered advice; I appreciate it VERY much!

You guys are great.

 

[Dustball]

Get an externally powered USB hub. Let the external power supply handle the power delivery.

 

[D2Cat]

That's way beyond my IT comprehension but will pay more attention.

I'm beginning to think the port itself is wonky like @ayak was saying.

We did a messy (dusty) house project here a year ago, but this problem was before that.

I can take the USB wireless mouse thing from one port where it works fine....put it in the other and I get that error.....

I did all the uninstall/reinstall stuff that @xrocketengineer suggested, and no success there either.....Those were the steps I recall when I looked at it before. Thought that was the ticket....

I also need to look into the powered USB Hub @OntheRidge mentions. Would solve my issue.

I don't often have our <40 year old offspring here.....They'd probably say "Dad, just do this....."

The reply about the USB cables---some being for charging only, and the better ones needed. I couldn't get pictures off of my Samsung s22 phone to download to my desktop and I have done it for a long time. Just at one point the identical process didn't allow a connection.

I bought a pair of the better cables and the problem was/is solved. Might be worth the few dollars. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2941FHZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Get an externally powered USB hub. Let the external power supply handle the power delivery.

And plug it into the working port. It may be a hardware problem on the connector, seen that a lot on laptops where they break due to constant plugging in and out and possibly (inadvertant) mechanical abuse.

To avoid that I use a short (good quality) USB extension cable which is plugged into the computer port just once and the USB sticks are then always plugged into the cable. No mechanical stress on the computer connector and if the cable is worn after 10000 plugins I can replace the cable and the computer is still only on the second plug in cycle.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

@RCW I know somewhere between "jack" and "squat" about computers, but I switched to a "bluetooth" mouse years ago cause I hated the fact that I was using a usb port.

I now have 4 of these little bad boys for various computers and I have been very impressed with them.

They install in seconds, and have been super reliable and are only about 13 bucks

They do come with a "usb dongle" tucked in its ass, but I just use the bluetooth mode.

TECKNET Bluetooth Mouse, 4000DPI Wireless Mouse Bluetooth for Laptop 2-in-

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082V7PWD1?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

 

[Sidekick]

@RCW I know somewhere between "jack" and "squat" about computers, but I switched to a "bluetooth" mouse years ago cause I hated the fact that I was using a usb port.

I now have 4 of these little bad boys for various computers and I have been very impressed with them.

They install in seconds, and have been super reliable and are only about 13 bucks

They do come with a "usb dongle" tucked in its ass, but I just use the bluetooth mode.

TECKNET Bluetooth Mouse, 4000DPI Wireless Mouse Bluetooth for Laptop 2-in-

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082V7PWD1?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Just be careful if you're left handed. The extra buttons on this one are on the other side. Bluetooth is definitely a good choice for a laptop with limited ports.

 

[johnjk]

You’ve done the hard work, cleaned the port on the laptop and troubleshot that the BT mouse works fine on another port. The difference in USB 2 and 3 is 3 allows you to transfer a data quicker. You won’t find a USB 3 mouse or keyboard. You may find “USB3 compatible “ devices. Doesn’t mean a thing for these devices. Interesting that people have seen applications regulating usb power output. I’ve not seen or heard of that in my years of IT.
the final thing I would check is when was the last firmware/BIOS update done to your laptop? Go out to the manufacturer website, download the latest and check for any driver updates as well. If it is a known issue there may be updates to resolve. Good luck