I am using a Dell Dimension 9150 running XP. My current setup is USB KEYBOARD, mouse, mic, and Nostromo game controller...and occasionally I will plug in my external HD and/or usb midi keyboard. As of a couple of months ago, my game controller will randomly quit working. The usual fix is just unplug and plug back in. However, randomly when I do this it will turn off my mic. When I plug/unplug the mic, it will turn off my game controller again. I have to unplug/plug back in until they both work at the same time or just reboot the machine. The strange part of this is, my controller will stop working 95% of the time when I get up to take a quick break. Every now and then it will stop working during game play, but usually when I get up to get something to drink or use the restroom. I have tried every combination of usb ports possible, the keyboard and mouse never stop working. The mic stays on most of the time, but as stated earlier, sometimes will turn off randomly as well.

I have brought this issue up elsewhere and was suggested to download/install the updated chipset for my motherboard. I did so and still have the same problem. Before I invest in a new game controller (mine is OLD, btw), I would like to know if this is the potential problem or it is something more computer related. I would hate to purchase a new controller to find out I have to keep unplugging it and plugging it back in just like I do now. Not to mention the mic randomly turning off/on from a seperate usb port (the mic is BRAND new).

Thanks for your time....Dose 1, Welcome to the CH forums. I am going to assume that "all" the USB devices that you have mentioned are plugged into USB ports on the computer. As opposed to being plugged in via an expansion USB hub. If that is the case if some of them get plugged into the front and the back at the same time you may not have sufficient power to satisfy them all at the same time. You could try a "powered" USB plug which you would then plug into a rear port and run any devices that may previously have been plugged into a front port into the powered hub. These devices are very common and quite inexpensive. Were i in your shoes i would try that 1st. truenorth Thanks for the welcome! Also, thanks for the response. I will give this a try. I believe I've either had the mic or controller plugged in the front. That being said, if I were to try to plug both in the back along with my keyboard and mouse (that don't have problems), would there still be a lack of power to power all 4 devices? If so, would the power usb port solve this issue?

OH, and no, I don't use an expansion usb hub, all devices go straight in the computer itself. Thanks again!!
Sorry, one more question...what is the difference between an expansion usb hub and a powered usb port? Just so I know to look for the right device to purchase.The difference is that the non powered simply expands the availability of USB ports to whatever the number of additional ports it has (you can expand up to a max of 128 total ports). Whereas the "powered" does the same but also has the ability to draw electric power from an A/C household electric power source thus it creates power to the USB ports on the hub--instead of the plugged in device(s) having to draw all it's power from the computer. truenorthOk, I understand. The only thing I don't quite understand is why this just started happening a few months ago. With the exception of me moving around the same time, I haven't had this problem prior to that. Is it possible there is a lack of power getting to the pc at my new residence and would the powered usb hub fix that?Front ports on many pre-fab PC's are notoriously under-powered....use the back ports for connecting a hub if possible...I'm going to try using the mic and game controller both plugged in the back tonight and see if the problem persists. If so, I will get a powered usb hub and hope for the best. A thought crossed my mind. When I first moved into this house a few months back, the same problem was happening with my mouse, just quitting randomly until I unplugged and plugged back in. I bought a new mouse and everything has been fine with it. Now it is the game controller. Maybe it is just mere fate that both are going bad one after the other. However this doesn't explain the mic failing randomly, and it is brand new as well.johncina36, Are your comments in reference to your commercial web link on your post or are they in reference to the subject and dialogue of this thread? truenorthIt's SPAM...
Moved to the trash bin...Update: I plugged both the controller and mic into the back of the computer, and still having problems with the controller. I understand the need for the powered usb hub, however, if that is the problem....why doesn't my keyboard and mouse quit working? Whatever is happening is AFFECTING my controller 95% of the time, with the occasional/random mic malfunction. The controller malfunction is starting to seem more frequent as well....then again, I could play later with no hang-ups. Any thoughts? Powered usb hub or new controller? Thanks again!Well the introduction of a powered usb hub will handy for the use of your usb devices and may improve their performance. However to deal expressly with your "game controller " hardware . My guess being it has been used quite a lot over time; if you have access to another computer you might want to try it for a period of time to monitor how it behaves on another machine. truenorth