HELP: USB NOT WORKING

Do you use bluetooth for anything, such as a mouse? If you do, have you tried disabling that and then seeing what happens?

This is might situation too. Ipod Video on the right mounts fine but the Sandisk Cruzer doesn't. If I remove the ipod video and reboot the machine will mount the Sandisk Cruzer as expected.

This is not good. I have to constantly restart to get USB recognized on this Dual-Layer PowerBook.

*****.

Yes, my right-side USB isn't working even after reboot. (And it's not a 10.4 problem, since I'm on 10.3.9.) Applecare product specialist told me they have to replace the logic board. Third time I have to take this laptop in for repair since I purchased it in Oct 2003 (last 2 repairs were for replacing the screen). I really like Mac OS, but I'm beginning to doubt the quality of Apple hardware.

Powerbook G4 15" Aluminum Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I've also had this same problem with external drives. Turns out the USB ports on the PBG4 don't provide enough power and the only way to make them run is either to plug the external drive to a power source or invest in a Y-cable to plug the drive to BOTH USB ports at the same time. This made it work. But I'm wondering if there is a way to boost the USB power source?

all of a sudden i lossed the use of both my usb ports. i was using a hub with an external power plug for it so i dont think that it was using too much power. i reset the PVRAM and the PMU, and both ports are still down. i'm going to be pretty displeased if i have to send the machine to apple, so hopefully someone can find a permanent solution!

As noted by Dale - there is not enough power - Check the System Profiler and you will find (at least on the 15 PB) that there is only 500mA of power to the USB port. If you check your external drive I think you will find that it needs 1 A to boot.

MJ

Apple should do a recall on Powerbooks. Looks like the failing USB ports is a common thing.

after taking the pbook to the genius bar at an apple store. it turns out my usb ports are completely shot. because they use the same bus, a blow out on one caused them both to die. so i need to send it in for service. the real scary thing that apple should be worried about is that my ipod w/color screen was probably the cause for it! it went dead at exactly the same time, and i mean DEAD. not like the sad face or the folder icon, this thing was not responding to firewire, usb, being plugged into the wall, anything. the "genius" at the store told me because he had never seen dead usb ports and the fact that the ipod was shot, he assumed it CAUSED the problem in the powerbook. hows that for compatibility??