[Hitokage]

I tried to plug in a brand new webcam into my Satellite M55-S139 Toshiba to discover... the power light flickered on, then off. It seems there is no power running to my USB ports. (I tried the webcam in my desktop, worked fine.)

I recently reformatted my laptop and updated the BIOS.

My iPod plugs in and lets me put stuff on it, but something that needs to draw power doesn't seem to get any.

Ideas?

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What does it say in device manager? Any problems there? Have you installed the chipset drivers for the laptop after the reformat? I think its just a loose connection causing the problem. Heres a website on USB ports.

http://pinouts.ru/Sl...SB_pinout.shtml

Now i have used a old mouse USB connector, with the ends stripped, to test a USB port for power (they always seem to work when i test with a multimeter). It also may be that your USB port does not have enough power for a webcam. Each Port has 500 milliAmp output( 1/2 amp). On my USB laptop external drive i have to use 2 USB ports for power, even tho the laptop drive is only rated a 500 milliamps for power. It seem the initial start of the drive takes more than the 500 milliamps, so the drive would not start most of the time.

Heres a picture of my External drive USB cable.


Maybe one of these ideas will help.

SRX660

[SRX660]

What does it say in device manager? Any problems there? Have you installed the chipset drivers for the laptop after the reformat? I think its just a loose connection causing the problem. Heres a website on USB ports.

http://pinouts.ru/Sl...SB_pinout.shtml

Now i have used a old mouse USB connector, with the ends stripped, to test a USB port for power (they always seem to work when i test with a multimeter). It also may be that your USB port does not have enough power for a webcam. Each Port has 500 milliAmp output( 1/2 amp). On my USB laptop external drive i have to use 2 USB ports for power, even tho the laptop drive is only rated a 500 milliamps for power. It seem the initial start of the drive takes more than the 500 milliamps, so the drive would not start most of the time.

Heres a picture of my External drive USB cable.


Maybe one of these ideas will help.

SRX660

[Hitokage]

Question: How do I know what the proper chipset is for the drivers?? Or any thing of the sort to even know WHAT chipset I'm on?

[SRX660]

On the Toshiba website i can see some utility's that may help. If you look into the system info files you should be able to see what chipset your computer has.

http://www.csd.toshi...alse#PublicList

I would look at the hardware setup utility, or maybe the FN-esse utility. The toshiba controls utility usually has USB drivers included.

SRX660

[Hitokage]

Okay... I downloaded the hardware utility and ran it.

I have... no idea what I am supposed to be doing. I barely even have a concept of what a chipset is. What, in detail, am I supposed to do with the stuff you asked me to download? Thanks!

[SRX660]

When you ran the utility it installed itself on your computer. This allows the OS to see and use the correct drivers for the hardware. If you still have problems with low power to the USB ports you will probably not be able to use the webcam with your laptop unless you have a external power source for the webcam. Some webcams do not have that option.

Personally, i do not think it is a USB problem on your laptop. Its more that the camera is not built to use the low power of the laptop USB ports.

SRX660

[Hitokage]

I would 100% agree, except I even tried it on my girlfriend's laptop, and it worked there. Her laptop is brand new, though.

I think I am going to give that dual-port cable a try. Thank you so much for trying to help!

[Ztruker]

Web cams are very cheap. Why not look around for a replacement that doesn't require more than 500 milliamp or has an external power source?

My concern is that drawing too much power (amperage) via the USB connections may cause damage to the mother board. Is it worth it?

[Hitokage]

What sort of thing should I look for on the packaging of the web cam to know if it doesn't need that much energy and/or it has an external source?

[snooker]

Hi , It could also be a over stack on usb ports and that why you are having this problem . Have you try to clear your driver usb devise ?

Edited by snooker, 18 May 2008 - 09:12 AM.

[Hitokage]

I did try clearing all of my USB devices.

[snooker]

I did try clearing all of my USB devices.

I'm talking about doing what they say on this website below . Also I would check it out and see if somewhere there they might have the answer to your problem

http://www.usbman.co.....Safe Mode.htm