Electrostatic Discharge Disables Devices Plugged In To USB Hub

ID: Q236934

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices connected to an external USB hub, one or more devices plugged into the hub may suddenly stop working. This problem is more likely to occur with external USB hubs that are powered by an external power source (self-powered) than with USB hubs that are powered by the USB bus itself (bus-powered). This problem does not occur with devices that are plugged directly into the "root" hub built into the computer itself.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the USB hub receives an electrostatic discharge (ESD, also known as a static electric shock). When an electrostatic discharge occurs, Windows may be unable to properly restart an external USB hub to recover from the error.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:


   Date       Time      Version     Size     File name    Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   08/13/99    3:25pm   4.10.2223   36,672   Usbhub.sys   Windows 98
                                                          Second Edition

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem after it occurs, unplug the external USB hub from the computer or upstream hub, and then reconnect the external USB hub. The hub is then redetected and its functionality restored.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

There is currently no fix available for Windows 98 (first edition).

Additional query words:

Keywords : win98 win98se
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug