XP USB Driver Install in a loop

[onsetcomp]

We have a XP Pro system that our production dept uses. When it worked correctly a test fixture would be plugged into the USB port and each and every time it would pop up with the new device connected balloon and then continue with the testing of our products.

In the middle of testing our products yesterday, the PC suddenly decided it needed to reinstall the HID USB driver and opened the new hardware/software install window. If the user clicks continue and allows it to look for the driver it fails every time. Clicking cancel doesn't allow our test fixture to work.

We've deleted all the USB drivers and restarted and windows installs all of the OS USB drivers but our problem immediately comes back with our test fixture. We also ran the XP repair function for the OS, still no joy.

Where does the USB driver CAB file live for auto installs?

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm at a point where I'm going to format the PC and reinstall the OS if I can't get it going fast.

-Eric

 

[timroop]

USB drivers are normally included with the Motherboard or OEM Manufacturer's driver set.

Also, is the user a member of the local admin group?



Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[onsetcomp]

Yes I'm logged in as admin.

It fails while trying to load the Human Interface Device driver. If I can find where and what that file is called then I can at least replace it manually and see if that fixes it.

-Eric

 

[allteltec]

Do have all your windows updates ? Is it a USB problem where no usb divices will work or just your fixture divice. A lot of USB divies need there own drives to work, More divices are added with each windows SP but I would guess your probem is your need drivers for your fixture you are tested.

 

[timroop]

What errors are in the Event Logs?

Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[bcastner]

HID is not necessarily a USB device, nor are the possible HID drivers USB related per se. It sounds to me possible that USB is happy, but HID is not. And these are different things.

As far as I know this is the last update (prior to SP2) for the USB drivers:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=838989

As far as HID devices go, try to use the Control Panel, Add Hardware Wizard. You will be able to select HID device drivers manually.

 

[onsetcomp]

If I plug any other USB device (any non-Human Interface Device) like a USB card reader it works fine. If I plug any USB Human Interface Device into the USB (like a USB Mouse) it fails exactly like our test fixture. I've tried the USB mouse after uninstalling ALL USB drivers from the Device Manager and also uninstalled the Human Interface Device drivers (even though they never actually installed due to the failure).

Manually installing the HID drivers through the Add Hardware wizard also fails.

This has nothing to do with my test fixture since I can't even get a USB mouse to load the HID drivers.

The last message had a link for the USB drivers at MS. I tried, it won't install them because it is an older driver version than what I have due to either SP2 or a hotfix.

Any other ideas before I resort to reformatting it?

-Eric

 

[bcastner]

SP2 would prevent the USB drivers I linked earlier from being installed, and rightly so and so noted in my earlier post.

The XP native HID drivers are not comprehensive, and you should ask the manufacturer if a device specific HID driver is available.

In the alternative as something to try:

. Start in Safe Mode as Administrator
. Go to Device Manager
. View, Show all Hidden Devices
. Expand the HID tab, and remove all devices.

Restart in normal mode.

I honestly believe this is not a USB driver issue per se, but the lack of an appropriate HID driver. This may be an XP SP2 compatability issue, and reverting to Service Pack 1 should be considered.

Something for your reading list:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=870893

 

[onsetcomp]

Well I ran out of time and reformatted it. The USB mouse and test fixture work fine again.

Thanks for the suggestions.

-Eric

 

[linney]

Too late now, but I wonder whether the "Human Interface Device Access" service had been disabled in Services?