USB Port

USB, Universal Serial Bus. A USB port supports up to 127 periperal devices.

USB 1.1 supports 12-Mbps data transfer.
USB 2.0 supports transfer rates up to 480 Mbps.

Connecting a USB 2.0 device to a USB 1.1 port will slow the transfer rate to the level of a USB 1.1 device.  It will also cause a number of problems and error messages.

Devices include printers, scanners, flash drives, external drives, digital cameras, PDAs, handheld devices, and PDA peripherals such as synchronization kits, charger kits, cradles, and adapter cradles.

If a USB device requires more power than a USB port can provide, it should be equipped with an AC/DC adapter and should draw power from a wall outlet.

If you have a USB 2.0 port, it is best to attach a printer to it instead of a parallel port.  The USB port will be much faster.

A USB hub increases the number of USB ports on a computer.  The hub plugs into the USB port on the computer, so the number of ports are actually minus one.  For example, if you have a hub with four ports, there are actually three available. 

There are bus-powered hubs and self-powered hubs.  Self-powered hubs should be used for high-power devices such as cameras and external hard drives.  Self-powered hubs draw power from an electrical outlet.  Bus-powered hubs draw power from the USB bus.  A keyboard and a mouse will work on a bus-powered hub.  A low-powered device, such as a mouse or a keyboard, will work on a self-powered hub.  However, high-powered devices will not work on a bus-powered hub.  Bus-powered hubs power up to 100 MA per port, and self-powered hubs power up to 500 MA per port.

Error message: The Hub Doesn't Have Enough Power Available to Operate...

Using SFC (System File Checker)/Scannow

System files can sometimes get written over or deleted.  SFC (System File Checker) scans your Windows XP system and replaces the missing files.  Missing system files can cause startup/boot problems or other operating system headaches.  SFC is part of the WFP (Windows File Protection) feature that prevents programs from writing over critical system files.

I was once working on a computer that was having a startup problem, ran the command line utility SFC /scannow, and voila!  Problem fixed.  SFC scans the system and determines if there are any missing files.  If so, the files are obtained from cache (%systemroot%\system32\dllcache).  If not in cache, SFC will obtain the files from the installation source on the network or the Windows CD-ROM.  You might be asked to insert the Windows Installation CD-ROM.

To use the SFC utility:

1. Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt
2. Type SFC /scannow and press Enter (there is a space after SFC)
3. If prompted, insert your Windows XP Installation CD-ROM.
4. Wait until command finishes and your files are verified.

Troubleshooting Workgroup Connections

A common network configuration is a workgroup consisting of a few computers.  Each computer is connected to a router or hub, through an Ethernet cable or wirelessly, in order to share files or printers in a small office or home.  Problems connecting in this type of network can occur for many reasons.

Part of the troubleshooting process is to verify the computer name and the workgroup name.  The user could have changed the name of the workgroup or name of the computer in the Systems Properties dialog box, ran Network Connections Wizard, or Network Setup Wizard.

One way of checking the computer name, user name, workstation domain, and other info is by using the command-line utility net config workstation.

Go to Start>Run>cmd>net config workstation and press Enter.

Detailed info about the net config workstation utility

Using System Restore

A very good safety tool in Windows XP is System Restore.  It is seldom utilized, but is very effective and is a small step that can save you an enormous amount of trouble.  If your computer is not working properly, you can use System Restore to return it to a previous state.  If you are getting ready to install or download an application, use System Restore to back up your system so that if you have problems and the application isn't working as anticipated, you can restore your system.

Note:  To use System Restore, you must be logged onto your computer as an administrator.  If you do not know if you are logged onto the system as an administrator, check out the following link to find out:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin

To turn System Restore on or off:

1. Go to My Computer.
2. Right click.  Go to Properties.  Select the System Restore tab.
3. Clear the checkmark to turn on System Restore.  Insert a checkmark in the box indicating to turn System Restore off.

Creating a Restore Point:

1. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
2. Select the Create A Restore Point option and click Next.
3. Type a description like, "Before printer driver install", and click Create.
4. Click Close.

Revert to your Restore Point:

1. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
2. Select Restore My Computer to An Earlier Time option, and click Next.
3. Use the calendar to select the restore point you want to go to.  Days in bold contain the valid restore points.  After you select the day, select the restore point listed on the right.  Click Next.
4. Make sure this is the correct restore point and click Next.  Windows restores to the selected backup and restarts.

Your computer suddenly loses its internet connection

You are in the middle of something and you lose your internet connection.  What a pain!  You don't feel like calling the ISP and getting up to check your cable connections or resetting your cable modem.  If your computer connects through a DHCP server, which chances are it does if you have a router, it means your IP address is automatically assigned by the server and can sometimes need to be renewed.  You can do this by restarting your computer or if you want to save time there is an easier method.  Try this.  Go to START/RUN.  Type CMD.  Type ipconfig /release and press enter.  Then, type ipconfig /renew and press enter.  Voila!  Your internet connection is renewed.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ipconfig.mspx?mfr=true

http://www.windowstipsonline.com/search?q=renew

Problems with your mouse pointer?

If you are having problems with your mouse pointer in Windows XP, try to adjust the hardware acceleration. Adjusting the hardware acceleration will allow you to set the way Windows works with the video card and driver.  A lower setting might be needed if the video driver cannot exchange information with the video card and the Operating System at an accelerated rate.  Go to Start/Control Panel.  Click on Display.  Then, select Settings and Advanced.  Next, select Troubleshoot and adjust Hardware Acceleration.  Hardware Acceleration should be set to Full if your computer has no problems.

You will need to experiment with the setting to see which one works best.  First, adjust the hardware acceleration one notch to the left.  This setting might resolve your mouse pointer problem.  Restart your computer and test before adjusting again.  Do not adjust all the way to the left as this could give you unpredictable results.
http://disneyinteractivestudios.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2729

Network Connectivity Problems because your Wireless Switch is turned off

Many mobile laptops have a wireless switch on the front or side of the computer to enable or disable the wireless radio.  This functionality is usually added to allow laptop usage on an airplane or in other areas with radio sensitive environments.  The user can switch off the wireless radio to enable usage of the laptop.  It could be an actual hardware switch or a led light by the keyboard triggered by a combination of keystrokes such as Fn, Ctrl, Alt in combination with function keys ranging from F1 to F12.  If you have a switch, make sure it is turned on in order to receive a wireless connection.

If you don't know how to turn on or off your laptop's wireless radio, consult the laptop manufacturer, or check the link below for a list various laptop models and their corresponding wireless radio switches.
http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?t=214308