USB Problems?
 

I have a problem with my Blackberry Curve 8330 on the Alltel network. The USB port does not seem to function properly any more. It did until last week. Here are the symptoms:

a) PC does not detect it as a drive and gives me this message: "USB Device Not Recognized. One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."
b) Will not connect to BB Desktop Manager. (Works via bluetooth though. But that has its limitations.) Uninstalled and reinstalled DM twice.
c) Will not tether.

However it does show that the phone is charging when connected and the desktop does know it's there because it give the message. I have tried it on three computers with no luck. They are all computers that it worked on before. Any ideas? Dead USB or software problem? Thanks.

Probably a physical problem
 

This has been discussed elsewhere on the forums, and it appears to be a physical problem with the handheld USB port or cable. I'm having the same issues, and can only seem to connect if I apply sideways pressure in a particular direction to the cable end where it enters the PC (same problem on all USB ports on the PC). I plug it in and out while applying such pressure, and if you get the USB connection beep and the "device password" login, you know that for the time being it's connected. Then I have to carefully maintain the pressure until I've done what I need with Desktop Manager (with one hand!). Of course, this is no good for charging, because you'd have to sit there for hours. Also, if you opened DM and connection was unsuccessful at first, DM may not see the device even after you have a good physical connection. So you may need to close and restart DM. Naturally, the PC end of the cable looks completely normal, so I'm not convinced that replacing the cable would help, although that's the next thing I'll try.

--Paul

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Agree. If it has worked but not now, you've done the usuals like a battery pull, and you see same thing on multiple computers, then it is the blackberry or USB cable, in my opinion. Advise trying another USB cable, just in case, and cross your fingers. Otherwise the fault is the blackberry.

To Paul, I personally haven't encountered a cable that has gone bad. Don't even know how likely it is. But it's something to rule out, and relatively cheap compared to the blackberry if you have to buy one.

Yeah, I'm thinking a bad USB port on my BB. I have a different cable for all three computers that I use it on and I get the same problem everywhere. The odd thing is that it does show charging and also the computer does recognize that there is something connected to it so there must be at least a partial connection. Looks like I'll be making an insurance claim. Thanks for the help!

Wirelessly posted (8820)

If it is charging, how about doing a wipe with JL_CMDER and reinstalling the OS, unless someone else says it's a waste of time. Could have you back in business in an hour if it is a software issue. I have no reason to believe it would or wouldn't fix it, but I would try it.

Can I do all that without a USB connection? Will I lose everything on the phone? Is there a step-by-step tutorial on this? Sorry, kind of a noob here.

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Dang, I'm an idiot. No, not if you can't connect at all. But see blackberryforums.com and the article about using JL_CMDER if your blackberry will not connect. The issue there is different, but I'm wondering if there is "recognition" when the blackberry is first booting up, such that JL_CMDER can connect and you can get on with a wipe. I'm speculating wildly. If you try it, post an update.

I'm a little concerned about wiping it clean and not being positive that I can connect enough to reinstall the OS. Am I missing something here? I am assuming there is no way to install via BT is there? I'm sure if there it is then it is very slow. I also can't seem to find the article that you are referring to. Is it in the forums or an actual article?

I had something similar in the past. If you're an admin on your system, right click My Computer and select Manage. Go to Device Manager and open up the Universal Serial Bus Controllers while the phone is plugged in. Look for Blackberry Smartphone in the list. Highlight it and then right click it and select uninstall. Once uninstalled, unplug it - wait- then plug it in again and it should say New Hardware Found. Then try it again with Device Manager.

One footnote, Desktop Manager doesn't work with my firewall. It can't see it. I have to disable my firewall, log out and then in, and then Desktop Manager sees it. Pain in the a$$ for sure!

Preroll, thanks for trying to help out. This was one of the first things I tried. However, when I go into device manager the only thing that shows up when I plug in the BB is "unknown device". If I click on that it shows that the device is working properly and that there are no drivers installed for this device. Like it knows it's there, but has absolutely no idea what it is!

Yeah...that's bizarre. I wonder if something is corrupted in the OS. Then again, you can't wipe or load if it can't be seen. Did you try to connect to JL_CMDR to see if it could at least be seen to rule out a Desktop Manager problem? However, if it's unknown, that may not work either.:?

Not real familiar with JL_CMDR, but I am reading up on it. Thanks!

Wirelessly posted (8820)

This is the artilce http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.p...nnect_and_wipe

Again, I'm just speculating, wondering if the computer will recognize the BB when the BB is just starting to boot.

If it is some corruption of the OS and not a hardware issue, and you are able to wipe it, then I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't be able to reinstall the OS. I'm guessing that if it hardware, you won't be able to connect or complete a wipe. But that's all just technical curiosity.... If you have insurance, you probably want to use it.

I think the simple answer is the correct answer in this case.
I would bet the mini usb port is bad.
We have had several go bad and had to have the phones replaced.
Micro USB is much better and less prone to breakage.

Have you tried deleting and reinstalling the drivers?

I'm thinking that is the problem. I had a new twist to this last night. I plugged my BB into the USB cable and all of my USB ports on the computer (front and back) went dead. Had to do a cold boot to get them back! Pretty sure the USB plug on the BB is fried. Now to see if insurance will take care of me on this one.

On the desktop, yes, many times. On the BB, no, because I'm not sure that I could reload them with no USB port.

Thanks everyone for your help!!

Wirelessly posted (8820)

I was going to say jbaidjr is probably right, but you don't know unless you have confirmation or you've ruled out everything else. I think that now, with that latest bit, you have confirmation. Hopefully no harm done to the computer.

Ira,
Doesn't seem to be any harm to the computer. All the USB ports are functioning fine. Thanks again for your help!