Front usb ports

[Chicster]

Board is a Soyo K7VTA PRO that has 2 usb ports on back and connectors for 2 more ports on front of board. I installed a 2 port usb on the front of the case and hooked it up to the connectors on the front of the board. When I plug something into the back it shows up no problem. When I plug something in to the front it shows up as unknown divice. 1. I have double checked and the ports are pluged in correctly. 2. I have tried everything I know to make windows recognize the device but it won't. I am running win98se. Does anybody have any thoughts?

[Cricket]

Hi Chicster,

Are the extra USB ports enabled in BIOS? Were the proper USB drivers installed. Did you install the VIA USB Filter Patch?

Cricket

[TwoRails]

When I hooked up my "Internet" keyboard with 2 USB ports build in, they were not recognized until I installed the software that came with the board...

[Chicster]

Yes they are enabled in Bios and I went to the Via site and downloaded the patch but still not anything but unknown divice in front.

[MA_DUCE]

This may sound crazy, but I have 4 USBs on my Computer and at one time they were all full, and the hardware was never quite working that well. I read a write up about problems encountered by using more than one usb at a time, not the hardware, but just having them pluged in at the same time, and got a Belkin unpowered USB hub so I could hook all the hardware up, but switch on only one at a time as I used them. Now I have no trouble out of any USB products, and even like them once again. Whats more it makes me wonder why the manufactures don't give us just 1 USB port and a 6 way switchable hub. I'm sure there will be other opinions, but I tried each piece of USB hardware, one at a time before buying the hub and it really helped to get all the hardware working much better than they ever had before. I was about ready to give up on anything that used a USB. Have you looked in your device manager to make sure down where the USBs are described, that the two new ones are set up like the the other two are? I know someone will know a trick to get them working in 98SE, however from what I have found out, I will only need one USB in future with a Hub. If I can find that write up about using one USB port at a time I will post it, Good luck. MA_DUCE

[TwoRails]

"unknown device" ?? In the Device Manager? If you have all the related CDs, removing the unknown device, then rebooting and letting Windows reinstall the drivers typically will fix that problem.

[MA_DUCE]

When I unplug my hub this is what I see in device manager under Universial serial Bus Controlers.
USB Root Hub (This is for my MOBO)
USB Root Hub (This is for the 2nd set pluged into my MOBO)
VIA Tech 3038 PCI
VIA Tech 3038 PCI
So all you see is one.
USB Root Hub
VIA Tech 3038 PCI
Right? with another line stating your hardware device that is pluged in.
Is your unknown device under the Universial Serial Bus Controler?
After I installed my second USB Hub I had to put the ABIT CD back in and open the drivers folder to load the drivers for my 2nd USB hub. Have you tried that yet? You have to get them from the CD not a patch or upgrade from the web site.
USB driver Error - Listed as unsupported Device or wrong driver.

This was under troubleshooting SOYO site and said to try this if it showed up as unknown device. How bad do you need those two USB ports? I don't know much about SOYO MOBOs but this sounds like they have some bugs to work out yet.
1. Go to device Manager and select Update Driver.
2. Be sure you have the latest Bios, update Bios first then update driver
3. On certain circumstances you might have to reinstall your windows after updating Bios in order to get it to work.

[Chicster]

When my zip is pluged in the back the Device Manager reads
Universal Serial Bus controllers
Iomega USB Mass Storage Class Driver
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
Via Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
Via Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller

When I plug into the front, unknown device is in place of the Iomega Driver line. I have tried to remove it and reboot, but when I do, I Do not get the found new hardware from windows but it's back in Device Manager as unknown device. I've tried to update drivers and it shows the zip drivers and says the best drivers are already loaded. Any other thoughts?

[Cricket]

Hi Chicster,

Take a look at this thread: Hooking up extra USB ports

Cricket

[MA_DUCE]

According to the troublrshooting guide on SOYO site they must know they have a problem with adding the extra USB ports. I have read many of the upgraded Bios offerings in the ABIT site for my board, and each new Bios update fixes one or more problems after the fact.
The last Bios upgrade ABIT offered was to enable the board to run Win XP.
I dont remember the Tech site I read this on , however this poor guy had to take his SOYO MOBO out of the case put it on a hard flat surface and force very hard the new AGP video card into the AGP until it snaped twice.
What I am getting at is. Have you gone to SOYO and updated your Bios then reloaded the latest drivers? They even say that after you load the latest Bios that you may have to reinstall windows to get it to work.
It seems that SOYO has known about this problem and that is why they have put a USB fix in their Bios update. I know for sure that I am one of those people that once I'm on the trail, I don't give up until I fix the problem.
But bear with me for a moment please. I have been in the electronics section of Wal-Mart more than once when I hear this " That USB printer you sold me doesn't work very well" The salesperson says Oh that's because you need this Belkin powered USB hub because unlike the LPT1 printer port the standard USB does not have enough power to run your printer. Then there is my problems with the standard way of using the USB ports. I had two Scanners one 250MB ZIP and one MS Precision Pro Joy stick all hooked up but not in use at the same time. So now I use only one USB from the Computer into a Hub that lets me open just one port at a time and it all works great. You have not said. Are you in the process of building this Computer right now? Or have you set your computer up with all hardware and software installed? I think in your case SOYO says it all in that they know there's a problem, and they have the fix if you want to load a new Bios with the new drivers and if that doesn't work reinstall Windows. When I see a company put the problem I am having into a new Bios that's when I have to make a call. Do I want to stay with what I know works now? How bad do I need what they offer in their new bios? Have good MOBOs been turned to scrap by installing an updated Bios? I'm sorry that is all the help that I can be to you. This seems to be a problem in your present Bios and unless you reinstall a fix in the form of a Bios upgrade from SOYO it looks as if you won't be able to resolve your issue. Good luck Chickster, MA_DUCE

[Quadron_Computers]

That poor guy was me. I get video 50% of the time when i boot my computer and the other 50% I dont.For example I boot my comp no video, after 5 times of resetting, I get video (without even opening the case). I dont ever plan to buy another SOYO motherboard or product again.Bad tech support and poor quality hardware.

I pushed the AGP card down into the slot so hard until my hands were hurting (Im serious). And still I didnt here those 2 snaps (Wich Soyo said I should here ) Never In my life have I herd a AGP card have to snap twice to be installed correctly )

Boycott Soyo

[MA_DUCE]

No disrespect intended. I saw your post and realy felt bad for both you and Chickster. I knew that if SOYO had to put out a Bios upgrade just to get the opitional USB ports working, they had serious design problems in their MOBOs. When My Son and I did our research for our Computers it came down to ASUS & ABIT we chose the KT7-A MOBO. However because of the problem with the VIA KT133-A chipset we will never relize the promised speed. All in all the ABIT is is a well built board and all the stability in the world. It's a shame we can't hold the manufactures of Computers and Computer parts liable so we could force them to recall their experiments that thay test on us. The one thing that they can't do is shut us up! I don't want to pirate Chicsters post, however Quadron_Computers can you send your SOYO MOBO back? Chicster are you using an AGP equiped MOBO? How much are these SOYO MOBOs? The ABIT was $179.00 now it's as low as $99.00 although if I were to rebuy I would get the new one at $159.00 that has the Chip set SNAFU fixed. MA_DUCE

[Chicster]

Yes, I have a AGP MoBo-Don't know what that has to do with usb. I have a Gforce2 64nb card and it works excelleent. My question is about USB.

[MA_DUCE]

Chicster this is not an easy task, unless you have done it before. Also it can fail and at that point you will have to contact SOYO in order to get another Bios Chip.

As a Tech, I would advise you not to take a chance of killing your MOBO, for the purpose of gaining two more USB ports. You have the option of buying a multiple port powered/unpowered USB Hub from Belkin at less than $40.00. FYI this is the latest Bios update from SOYO for your MOBO and SOYOs instructions.

K7VTA PRO 2MB BIOS Files
kvtp2aa6.bin
checksum: 22B5
release date:
(01/14/2002) BIOS Revision: K7VTA PRO_2AA6
Changes: XP 2000+ support. Fixed can't
boot-up when M/B plug ISA card. .

This is what SOYO says to do in case you run into a problem like your having.

USB driver error-listed as unsupported device or wrong driver.
1. Go to device Manager and select Update Driver.
2. Be sure you have the latest Bios, update Bios first then update driver
3. On certain circumstances you might have to reinstall your windows after updating Bios in order to get it to work.


HOW TO FLASH YOUR BIOS (By SOYO)

Download AWDFLASH.EXE utility and proper BIOS BIN file to a Blank floppy disk.
Boot the system to DOS prompt with a Windows 95 or windows 98 boot disk.
After booting in to DOS Prompt, place the disk that contains the AWDFLASH and the proper BIN file into the floppy drive.
Type in Dir at DOS promp, to display what you have in the floppy disk.
Type in AWDFLASH and the BIOS file including the ".BIN" after it.(e.g. Awdflash kvxa2ba2.bin).
When the program prompts "If you want to save the BIOS" you can save it under any name(e.g. OLD.BIN).(Saving the BIOS is optional)
After the flash process is completed, go to the BIOS and Load Optimized Defaults (Load Setup Defaults), than save and exit from BIOS.
Please read this Explanation for more details


1. Prepare an empty bootable disk. In order to do this, format a disk using the format a: /s command (use b: or other drive letter if appropriate). Make sure that there is nothing on the disk except for boot files. (The reason for doing this is that AWDFLASH, the utility used to upgrade the BIOS, does not allow ANY other program to be running in the background. A clean boot from floppy will reassure this is the case)

2. Now copy AWDFLASH.EXE and the appropriate BIOS file onto the disk.

Click the name of the BIOS file for your board with your right mouse button. Now choose 'save target as..' in the menu that appears. After this choice a drive and directory menu pops up, choose drive a: (or other drive number as appropriate) and click OK. Now the BIOS file will be saved to disk. Do the same for AWDFLASH.EXE. (ver 8.1)

3. Next, start your computer using this disk and run AWDFLASH.EXE.

Insert the disk in drive A: (or whatever drive you can boot from) and boot up the computer. At the prompt, type 'awdflash.exe'. Now you will get the awdflash.exe start-up screen.

4. Specify your new BIOS's file name and save your old BIOS.

Type in the exact name of the BIOS upgrade file "xxx.bin" that you have saved. For this purpose it's advisable to make a note of the filename as you save it to disk. AWDFLASH may give you an error message at this point, stating that the file specified does not match your system. If you are sure that you have the correct file for your board you can safely ignore this error message, because it is due to a bug in the AWDFLASH program. Now type to save your old BIOS to disk. If AWDFLASH tells you that the "file size does not match" then you have downloaded a BIOS file of the wrong size, please see the note below.

5. Upgrade your BIOS. When AWDFLASH ask you whether or not to start programming, type , the system will now start to upgrade your BIOS. Do not turn the system off while it is upgrading your BIOS, in all the upgrading process should take about one minute.

6. Restart your system. After AWDFLASH has finished upgrading your BIOS, you should restart the system in order for the new BIOS revision to take effect. You can do this by resetting the system, or by switching it off and on. After restarting the system you have to load the BIOS defaults. To do this, press during the first screen to enter BIOS setup. Choose 'Load SETUP Defaults' and press . Now press to leave BIOS setup again, save the settings and your system is ready for use with the new BIOS.

NOTES:Please note that for some boards there are 1Mb and 2Mb versions of the BIOS upgrade files. AWDFLASH will tell you when the file size of the BIOS file that you have downloaded does not match the size of your BIOS IC by giving you the following message: "file size does not match". This will happen when you use a 1Mb file to upgrade a 2Mb BIOS IC or a 2Mb BIOS file to upgrade a 1Mb BIOS IC.
A way to verify the size of your BIOS IC is to remove the award sticker from the IC. If the partnumber has a 010 or 100 near the end, then you have a 1Mb IC, if it has 020 or 200 near the end you have a 2Mb IC. Only BIOS files of the right size can be used to upgrade your BIOS.

If your system has an Intel flash ROM, you may see an error message while you update your BIOS. This is not serious, it is due to the special architecture of Intel flash ROMs. Intel Flash ROMs have a bootblock protection that can not be disabled through software. With other words, AWDFLASH is unable to program the bootblock and will give an error message. However, the bootblock does need not to be upgraded (it is a basic routine that does not change), so after the rest of the BIOS is upgraded you can restart your system and the upgrade will be complete, please ignore the error message.


Please do your self a favor and get a second opinion. To the best of my training, this is the only way to do what you want to do. There are Techs on this form with far more experience with the SOYO systems and there may well be an easier way to do this. Until I have done something more than once without failure, I will allways default to the Companys reccomended method. Best of luck to you Chicster, MA_DUCE

[Quadron_Computers]

I don't think I can return my Soyo Mobo. It cost me around $215 with case & power supply! the only problem I had with it so far is this AGP slot thing. And after reviewing there troubleshooting section on there website looks like whole lot of other people have problems with there AGP slots as well. Soyo needs to get its act straight! It makes me mad when big companies take advantage of the consumer

[Quadron_Computers]

Picture of my Mobo

[MA_DUCE]

Well chicster I sure am sorry it had to be SOYOs way and not yours. However where I come from a simple Thank you, for your time and trouble is what we say. But it takes all kinds to make up an internet. I sure am glad that you are in the minority, and remember you reap what you sow, it's called KARMA. So your welcome chicster, all the best to you. MA_DUCE <:0)

[Chicster]

Thanks MA_DUCE, I just got back from a short trip and didn't have a chance to thank you earlier. Sorry you took it personal.

[MA_DUCE]

No Chicster it is I, who should and am sorry. With at this AMs count 243 people have looked in on this post and only 3 bothered to try and help you. I broke the first rule, Don't get involved just answer the questions to the best of your ability. My mistake was in not just letting you know what SOYO had to say about the problem, and letting you make up your own mind as to what you wanted to do. I'm sorry for any hard feelings I have caused. MA_DUCE

[Chicster]

No harm no foul,on to other things.