USB conflicts w/ speakers and keyboard

[Altered ImageZ]

I am experiencing difficulties with my Digital sound System 80... and my USB Qtronix keyboard, wondering if ANYONE had any ideas.

System info -

Soltek mainboard w/ Award 4.51 bios
32 megs PC100 spec
Voodoo 3 3000 video
Generic 40x CD-rom
Memorex 2x burner
*NO* sound card (relying on the USB speaks)

(conflicting items)
MS DSS-80 USB speaker kit
Qtronix scorpious 980N USB Keyboard


Interesting case, here, the Microsoft Speakers, which I cannot get to work for more than 20 seconds with any sound other than standardized windows sounds, regardless, cause the keyboard to freeze completely when anything accesses them. The Digital Sound System 80 also randomly (1 in 5 chance) locks up the computer if my MP3 player tries to access it or if I attempt to listen to a CD. Otherwise, system works fine.

It's like if you have any other USB item plugged in with the digital sound system 80,
it's predestined to automatic failure. Arrgh! Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Axel]

I'd have to ask if you could do without the USB keyboard and just use a regular one and see if that eliminates the conflict -

Also - what are you seeing in device manager? Are you out of IRQ's Are you sure you've gotten the latest USB drivers for your system?

To me - the USB port for the keyboard is a waste of a good resource.

[Altered ImageZ]

Okay... Checked the IRQ settings in Device mgr, Keyboard is using IRQ 1. Don't have too much stuff using resources, should have at least 3 IRQ's left to finagle with. The USB drivers are as current as possible (DLed them last night, hehe) Speakers show in device mgr as working fine, no problems... Also, don't know if this is relevant, but two "human interface devices" show up there as well, related to the damned USB keyboard I'm sure.

As for if I can do without the USB keyboard or not, I wish I could, but am so BROKE right now for about the next two months can't afford to go out and get a new keyboard. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif It was given to me. Previous owner probably had same kinda troubles with it. Arrgh

Does that help at all? btw, than fer da help, 'tis very cool.

[CMonster]

Supposedly you can have up to 127 devices chained on a USB port (there are only 16 IRQs); I hardly think IRQs are the problem because one of the main features of USB was to eliminate the need to have an IRQ for every device. Most likely the IRQ1 you see asigned to keyboard is actually for the standard keyboard 'port,'not the USB. Perhaps you could try to disable in BIOS or uninstall in Device manager the standard keyboard.

I wonder if we could get some feedback from someone else who is using USB speakers?

It may be possible that you have another resource conflict such as I/O address. Also may I ask what version of Windows you are using? I know that Win95 B/C have miserable USB support even with the latest patches/drivers.

[Altered ImageZ]

Interesting you say that about the bandwidth, Dave.. I did heck that out, and don't think it is a problem with the whole ordeal, but I had an insight and checked it b4 I got this reply post. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

As far as software goes, I have Windows 98 2nd edition, and spent most of today getting misc. drivers and patches for my computer.

Some more information I should give about my computer, some of which I just found out (hehe)

AMD 350 K-2 processor
VIA VP3 southbridge chipset
Soltek SL-56D5-D1 motherboard

I was able to find there is a couple patches regarding that EXACT hipset and motherboard, and grabbed patch information from Solteks website

(www.soltek.com.tm),

applied it, and also checked out VIA's website

(www/VIAtech.com/drivers/index.htm)

to grab a USB routing patch and (I guess) a 4 in one patch that upgraded everything to current, and my dilemna changed.

When the USB routing patch and 4 in 1 patch was applied, The Composite device in Device mgr showed that the main VXD file (NTsomething) could not be loaded. I proceeded to unload the USB routing patch device, and it made the exclamation point go away on in Device mgr, and looked like the speakers loaded up PERFECTLY, yet.......
Now speakers don't even work at all... Arrrgh but the sporatic lockups and the keyboard difficulties have disappeared completly. Hmmm. I have to admit, with as much time as I have in this, I almost want to charge Microsoft for my time (hehe right).

Any furthur ideas? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Altered ImageZ]

Oh yeah, and the Keyboard is listed as a HID, under HID devices, but the IRQ assignment I was reffering to was under the Keyboard properties, so in other words you were totally on the mark with that, Dave.

[daveleau]

You have 12 MB of bandwith per USB root hub. I have a set of Altec Lansing speakers that are USB and can get very little to work with them. I had to get an additional USB card to get an extra 12 MB of bandwith to run my USB zip, mouse, and camera. That is probably your problem. Not an IRQ problem if the speakers work without anything else connected to USB. I didn't think a keyboard would be a problem though and it really shouldn't be using an IRQ if it is USB. Very odd. It should be listed as a HID (Human Interface Device).
Dave

[This message has been edited by daveleau (edited 12-29-1999).]

[daveleau]

Oh- are you using Win98? Most current USB devices will only work under Win98 and not Win95 since the Win95 USB drivers are half-baked and not really current.
Dave