Usb question

[shamrock838]

USB Question :

My laptop computer has only three USB ports so I sometimes need to disconnect one application to connect another. Is there a right (or wrong way) for doing this?

What I’ve done in the past was: (1) leave the computer powered on; (2) power down the USB application to be disconnected; (3) disconnect that USB application … listen for the disconnect “beeep”; (4) connect the new USB application; (5) listen for that connect “beeep.”

Is any damage being done to the computer by not powering down first before changing USB connections? Reason I ask is that … whenever I now power down the computer I get a “blue screen of death” that says: - “RQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” and I have to power down cold. Powering up again is OK.

Thanks.

 

[DCIScouts]

Huh, I guess it's possible that the USB drivers could be a little corrupted. See if your laptop manufacturer has a download for the USB controller available and reinstall the drivers. In the future, there should be an icon and function available called "Safely Remove Hardware" or something to that effect. Use that to disconnected devices in the future, or just invest the $20 in a USB hub and then you don't have to connect and disconnect them at all, or nearly as much...

 

[JTM]

Yeah as DCI suggested maybe you should purchase a USB hub adapter. That will make things easier for you for the time being. Check for updated USB drivers and see what happens. I do know that it is suggested to "safely remove hardware" but I don't think anyone literally follows those steps. Good luck!

 

[laznz1]

+1

i personally have never safely removed anything and never had a problem

 

[shamrock838]

or just invest the $20 in a USB hub and then you don't have to connect and disconnect them at all, or nearly as much...

Actually I do have a USB hub but haven't bothered to use it since I'm in the process of transferring at-home computer operations to the new desktop I just installed ... which has 10 USB ports in the CPU. Still ... I'd like to clean up this laptop problem since it's be my mobile/backup computer in future.