Dell USB front ports and Vista

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I just received my new Dimension C521 from Dell running under Vista. When
trying to connect a Kodak camera and a Pilot Tungsten e2 to the FRONT USB
ports, I consistently got the "USB device not recognzied" message. I went to
the discussion group area assuming this was a Vista problem. However, I
plugged the devices into the back USB ports and they worked fine. Dell
technical support indicates that the reason for this is that the Dimension
C521 front ports do not have enough power to drive the devices. The back
ports are on the mother board and thus have plenty of power.
So far dell is unwilling to exchange my sustem for an equivalent one that
has front USB ports that support devices.
 
Do any devices work at all on those front ports? They are (should be)
plugged into a header on the motherboard, so power shouldn't be an issue,
unless it was a technical flaw on the motherboard.
 
Paul said:
I just received my new Dimension C521 from Dell running under Vista. When
trying to connect a Kodak camera and a Pilot Tungsten e2 to the FRONT USB
ports, I consistently got the "USB device not recognzied" message. I went
to
the discussion group area assuming this was a Vista problem. However, I
plugged the devices into the back USB ports and they worked fine. Dell
technical support indicates that the reason for this is that the Dimension
C521 front ports do not have enough power to drive the devices. The back
ports are on the mother board and thus have plenty of power.
So far dell is unwilling to exchange my sustem for an equivalent one that
has front USB ports that support devices.
Click to expand...

I would be inclined to insist on that, or a refund. This sounds like a very
odd flaw indeed and smacks of a very bad mistake or raw stupidity on their
part, because obviously the devices you mention are the very things most
likely to be plugged into the front of a computer.
 
Paul said:
I just received my new Dimension C521 from Dell running under Vista.
When trying to connect a Kodak camera and a Pilot Tungsten e2 to the
FRONT USB ports, I consistently got the "USB device not recognzied"
message. I went to the discussion group area assuming this was a
Vista problem. However, I plugged the devices into the back USB ports
and they worked fine. Dell technical support indicates that the
reason for this is that the Dimension C521 front ports do not have
enough power to drive the devices. The back ports are on the mother
board and thus have plenty of power.
So far dell is unwilling to exchange my sustem for an equivalent one
that has front USB ports that support devices.
Click to expand...

I'd say that's a pretty hefty design flaw and Dell ought to take it back.
First, let me just say, we used to see this issue quite a bit on front ports
but not so much in the last year or two. Some devices simply won't work off
the front ports while others will.

If your camera and/or Pilot came with an AC adapter, try plugging the device
into their respective power supply, then see if you can get them to transfer
through the USB front ports.

Even if this works, this is a bit of a hassle and since one of the reasons
why you picked this system was for that front port availability, you should
be able to get some satisfaction out of Dell depending upon how long it has
been since you purchased it. If you are in the first 30 days, I'd contact
Dell and have them escallate this issue. Inform them that you are
dissatisfied as this was one of the reasons you picked this system and you
consider it their fault for not stating in their specs that the front ports
may not work with all devices. If they still refuse, tell them you are
going to dispute and decline the charge on your credit card. If they still
refuse, the next step is to do precisely that and dispute the charge and
explain, in writing to the credit card company the issue you are having and
that you are disputing the charge because Dell refuses deal with this issue
or exchange the product for one that works as expected and advertised.
 
I just tried pluging in the keyboard and the mouse to the front ports. Wanna
guess what happened? You're right, neither worked. Now I wonder if it is just
this system or all c521 dimensions.
Back to Dell
 
Michael Solomon said:
I'd say that's a pretty hefty design flaw and Dell ought to take it back.
First, let me just say, we used to see this issue quite a bit on front ports
but not so much in the last year or two. Some devices simply won't work off
the front ports while others will.

If your camera and/or Pilot came with an AC adapter, try plugging the device
into their respective power supply, then see if you can get them to transfer
through the USB front ports.

Even if this works, this is a bit of a hassle and since one of the reasons
why you picked this system was for that front port availability, you should
be able to get some satisfaction out of Dell depending upon how long it has
been since you purchased it. If you are in the first 30 days, I'd contact
Dell and have them escallate this issue. Inform them that you are
dissatisfied as this was one of the reasons you picked this system and you
consider it their fault for not stating in their specs that the front ports
may not work with all devices. If they still refuse, tell them you are
going to dispute and decline the charge on your credit card. If they still
refuse, the next step is to do precisely that and dispute the charge and
explain, in writing to the credit card company the issue you are having and
that you are disputing the charge because Dell refuses deal with this issue
or exchange the product for one that works as expected and advertised.
Click to expand...
so they can make their life better and provide for their family. You should put the blame on the shoulders of the company. The companies do not sufficiently train their employees and they do not assist the employees in overcoming their native accent. You must also keep in mind that companies that outsource their workers solely for the purpose of cheap labor get what they pay for. But again, do not blame the employees. They are only trying to make a living and I respect them for their work ethic. Again, the two front USB ports on my Dell E-521 function exactly the same as the ports on the rear of the computer.
 
Thanks for all of the help and advise. I insisted that they pull the same
system off of the line and test it before shipping it to me as a replacement.
It all worked out fine. However, I did have to get to a very helpful
Corporate person in order to get it resolved. No wonder Michael Dell took the
company back over!
Paul
 
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