USB problem

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Guest

I have a somewhat strange and unique question that I pray someone can help me
with. I'm at my wits end - and I need help.

I recently purchased a cellphone that came with software to facilitate
connecting the phone to my computer via a USB cable. I installed the
software, and connected the phone with no problems, connecting and
transfering files and information.

Recently however, my computer has stopped recognizing the phone. I thought
at first that it was a problem with my phone, so I installed the software on
my friend's computer --- but it works just fine on her PC.

I'll try to be descriptive but brief. When the phone is NOT plugged in, and
I start the software on my PC, and click "connect," then I get an error
message that indicates that there is nothing connected -- nothing special.

But, when I physically connect the phone, and then turn on the software, and
click "connect," the message I get is: "Other application used this port.
Failed to open 6 port." No matter which USB port I use of the two that I
have, it gives me this error message.

I have uninstalled the program, deleted all registry keys, rebooted the
computer, and re-installed the software. I have also done the same process
after completely deleting my USB drivers.

What in the world is going on? My thoughts are that my computer has done
something to some USB setting, which now makes it want to reject the phone
for some reason. I want to say that it has something to do with the Registry
stuff, but since I know little of computers, I can't be sure. Can anyone
deduce what the problem is?

Eric
 
This sounds like a "Phantom Device" issue. Windows XP remembers all
hardware that has ever been installed with drivers on the computer. When
you remove the device, XP retains it's information in Device Manager but
with a status of "Not Currently Connected". It shows these non-connected
or Phantom devices in a slightly diminished tone (Grayed Out).
This is complicated further if the USB device is a USB 1(.1) technology
component. The way USB channels are routed, if you plug a USB1(.1)
device into a different socket ( Hub). Then the device many get duplicated
and exist in Device Manager a multiple of times.
You may need to add a System Environment Variable, named:
DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices
and set it's value = 1
Open Device Manager, Click View, Tic/Check "Show Hidden Devices"
First, ensure you do not have a Device Type Group "Unknown". This is
where XP saves devices it's detected but was unable to find/load a driver.
Next expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers and look for any Grayed
Out entries. ( You should unplug your phone prior to doing this). Right
Click any "Phantoms" and choose "Uninstall" .
Once all Phantom entries are removed - Re-Plug your phone. If possible
always try to insert the USB plug into the same socket.
 
R. McCarty,

Thank you for the prompt and detailed response. It doesn't seem that I have
any "phantom entries" in my device manager. I clicked the "show hidden
devices" option and checked.

I'm not sure if any additional information will help, but here it is anyway:

I have an IBM laptop T41, only 2 years old. There are two USB 2.0 ports.
When I followed your instructions above, I find the following entries:

1) Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD
2) Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Enhanced Host Controller - 24C2
3) Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Enhanced Host Controller - 24C4
4) Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Enhanced Host Controller - 24C7
5) USB Root Hub
6) USB Root Hub
7) USB Root Hub
8) USB Root Hub
 
The Devices listing(s) are correct. Did you add the System Environment
Variable and set it's value ? Without doing that, XP will mask out some
Phantoms using "Show Hidden Devices". Also, If you plug in your phone
and leave Device Manager open to USB - do you see the phone appear
in the enumeration table ? Usually, it will appear moments after inserting
the USB plug.
 
Ah. I overlooked that step. Unfortunately, I have no idea what it all means:

You may need to add a System Environment Variable, named:
DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices
and set it's value = 1

Where and how do I do this?
 
Right Click "My Computer" - from the Context menu that appears
Left Click Properties. When the Details box opens click Advanced
(TAB). Click the button "Environment Variables". Work in the lower
half section, System Variables - Click New, in the Variable Name
box type DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices
Press Tab to move to the Variable value box and type a 1 - Click
OK. Close all open boxes then revisit Device Manager and again
click View, tic/check "Show Hidden Devices". Likely, you'll see a
few more phantom entries than before.
 
R. McCarty,

Thanks so much for the continued help. I think I may be giving up now. I
did what you said, and WOW -- I had 42 phantom USB drivers in there. I
uninstalled all of them. I then even uninstalled the software in question,
and uninstalled all USB drivers. I restarted, the USBs re-installed, then I
re-installed the software. Then I plugged the phone in -- SAME THING!

Ah, I'm not sure. Perhaps my motherboard is f'd. About 2 months ago, I
dropped my laptop on the cement from waiste level. Maybe I'll just blame it
 
R.McCarthy,

I figured it out. It's been about 1 week since I first tried to solve it,
and frankly, I coudln't have done it without your instruction. Anyway, I had
the device manager open as I plugged in the phone, and I realized that there
was some "phantom drivers" in the "modem" devices - they were my older phones
that I had once connected either by infrared or usb cable. I uninstalled
those, and viola. That's it. Obviously, I wouldn't have seen those phantoms
without your help. Thank you so mcuh. You are the wo/man.
 
R. McCarty said:
Right Click "My Computer" - from the Context menu that appears
Left Click Properties. When the Details box opens click Advanced
(TAB). Click the button "Environment Variables". Work in the lower
half section, System Variables - Click New, in the Variable Name
box type DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices
Press Tab to move to the Variable value box and type a 1 - Click
OK. Close all open boxes then revisit Device Manager and again
click View, tic/check "Show Hidden Devices". Likely, you'll see a
few more phantom entries than before.
Click to expand...

Quite a few as it turns out! Thank you very much for posting this
information and fix. It seems to have cleared up my misbehaving USB
problems. (Touch wood.)
 
You are Welcome - Always good when you post advice and find
it benefits more than one person.
 
hello....I have the same problem as LIQUIDSENSE and I'm pretty sure I have
the same phone as that person. I read through this whole problem and I
deleted every single phantom drivers but I still cant get my CPU to recognize
my phone. Whenever I plug in my phone via USB it makes a sound on the CPU
being connected but when I try to connect it to the phone software, it says
""Other application used this port. Failed to open 4 port." There is only 2
ports used. One for the phone and the other is for my PCI modem. Can anyone
help? Thanks a lot.

R. McCarty said:
You are Welcome - Always good when you post advice and find
it benefits more than one person.
Click to expand...
 
Just noticed you were referencing an earlier post of mine. Ports can
have different meanings depending on which technology is employed.
It could be simple Serial (UART ports) or Bluetooth ports. Just an
assumption, but I'd disable your BIOS controlled on-board Serial
/Com ports. A PCI modem has it's own hardware COM port built-in.
When motherboard ports are enabled/active it can cause multiplexing
issues.

ClubSI said:
hello....I have the same problem as LIQUIDSENSE and I'm pretty sure I have
the same phone as that person. I read through this whole problem and I
deleted every single phantom drivers but I still cant get my CPU to
recognize
my phone. Whenever I plug in my phone via USB it makes a sound on the CPU
being connected but when I try to connect it to the phone software, it
says
""Other application used this port. Failed to open 4 port." There is only
2
ports used. One for the phone and the other is for my PCI modem. Can
anyone
help? Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
 
if you mean disable the PCI modem port, I did that, but still it comes up
with the "Other application used this port." When I read LIQUIDSENSE's
solution, the user stated to have seen other phantom drivers in the "modem"
devices, but I cant see any on mine. I just see the phone's modem and PCI
modem.
 
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