Odd usb happenings

I am wondering if anybody can offer any help here. I am having some very strange USB port issues. My tower has many USB ports in it for various things. This is a work computer so they are necessary for my job. In the back of the tower I have 4 ports that are on the mother board. In the front of the computer I have a 4 port hub. I run a usb connector to the rear of the tower and the power for the hub is hooked up internally. Until about a week ago all has been working fine. One morning upon start up I was experiencing a keyboard and mouse failiure (both wireless) so I wired a mouse and keyboard and restarted. I had multiple USB Failures.. devices trying to be recognized as if they were new. I would get unknown device messages. After plugging and unplugging..uninstalling USB host controllers and having them get reinstalled I have found one constant... All of my usb devices that do not require a separate power supply will work on the rear ports. If I unplug my wireless keyboard and mouse and plug in one of my 2 printers I get a device unrecognized error. I have a security device USB Hasp key which runs fine..if I unplug that an plug in my external HD or my plotter I get the same message...2 different ports, 2 different printers, 2 different devices that work and when swapped out to another... I get the same message... Also if I try to plug in any usb hub.. I have 3, 1-3 port, 1-4 port and 1-7-port they all run off of their own power supplies...I get a found new hardware message and it asks me for a driver installation... these are and always have been just plug and play...Odd to say the least...well at least in my opinion it is..lol.

Would it be safe to assume that even though they have their own power supplies..that my internal power supply might be failing. Or perhaps the main board USB ports are dropping power?

If anyone has any ideas or help I am all ears!

Thanks in advance
-Joe-

 

Although it's possible for onboard or front connection USB ports to fail, I would look at your 4 into 1 USB adapter first.

First, check the USB cord from the PC to the adapter: if stretched or pinched, it will cause connection issues. If this doesn't fix it, read on:

An adapter hub that is only powered by the USB port may not be getting enough current from the board to properly power all the devices attached to it (this is especially true for external drives; however it can also occur with printers or other devices).

I would invest in a USB hub that comes with an AC adapter. This will insure all devices are getting enough 5-volt current to operate properly.

Here's an example of the type of powered USB hub to get:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182139

Hope this helps.