A new dell Inspiron 15 has strange problem. It thinks there is something "unknown device" plugged into the USB ports. It cannot be shut down using "task master" so this message pops up every few seconds saying the "unknown or malfunctioning device" is connected. When it does this the card reader doesn't work, either. By putting an USB device in all three USB ports it stops the error message.
It is new so it is under warranty and Best Buy will fix it. But I took it there once and the error message wouldn't pop up.
Do any of you have any advice?
Serenity2009-02-23T08:15:18Z
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As your card reader is affected when this occurs you probably have a corrupted card reader driver. Card readers are connected via an internal USB port, not an external USB port. I recommend you go to your Dell Drivers and Downloads page at Dell Support. Each Dell system has it individual drivers and downloads page. As this is a new computer you should be able to connect to your page via the Dell Support Centter applet which you access through the All Programs menu, or type in Dell Support in the Start Menu Search Box if you are running Vista. You can access it via All Programs in Vista too.
Once you have Dell Support Center open click on the Drivers and Downloads button. Your default browser will open to your appropriate drivers and downloads page. Please note that at the top of the Dell Support Center applet all of your system information and your systems Service Tag plus the duration of your warranty is displayed. This is the information you require when contacting Dell or using the Dell Community Forums. The Dell Community Forums are well ran, easy to use and manned with expert volunteers. Please go there is what I recommend here doesn't work out for you.
Once at the Drivers and Downloads page, under CD/DVD, locate an entry with Card Reader at the end of the serial number. Click on that and a new page with download instructions will open. Print out the installation instructions. I recommend you download to your Desktop in XP or your Downloads folder in Vista. You can download to any location you choose in either OS. Click each ( + ) sign to open all information in order to ensure you print out everything needed. Pay special attention to the installation instructions.
It is very important to follow installation instruction carefully. Please read through them twice before beginning installation as to familiarize yourself with the process. This driver update is a bit more complicated than most other drivers. Please note you may need to actually unplug your computer for one minute after shut down before restarting system. This clears any information stored in memory and refreshes with new information.
As I said before, if for any reason this does not correct your issue please to go the Dell Community Forums. I am disappointed that Best Buy failed to preform these steps for you regardless of whether or not the error situation occurred while they had the system. They should have proceeded with a driver update for you. I suggest you file a complaint with either Best Buy because they failed to uphold your warranty. Also, if this for any reason does not get corrected you have the right, under your warranty to exchange your system. Please take note of that. Also note that the Dell Support Center has several Help options. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these options so as to take advantage of them throughout the life of your system.
Good luck and I hope this is corrected quickly.
P.S. If for some odd reason you do not have the Dell Support Center applet on your system you can locate your Drivers and Downloads page by visiting http://www.dell.com/support Then, click on Drivers and Downloads, enter your Service Tag number or your model number and your individual page will appear.
Plug in a USB devise in all ports and boot up your lap top after it recognises the devises look at the task try for a icon showing safely remove devises and click on the icon then remove the devises from the USB ports and it should fix the problem. Always use the safely remove for all USB and card reader slots. Hope this helps