Internal card reader not seen in Win7

[Smitty]

I have no idea where to post this issue.  I purchased a multi-function device to fill an empty 5.25 inch bay in my case.  I wanted one with a card reader that'll read CF cards from my DSLR camera.  The first one, a cheaply-built Chinese MFD, had several front ports including USB, FireWire, HD audio, eSATA, fan controller, and temp probes.  Everything worked, except the card reader.  So I purchased another cheaply-built Chinese MFD, but different brand/model.  Same thing--the card reader doesn't work.  In fact, I can't get it to even show up as a device in Control Panel.  I've got the latest USB drivers installed from Gigabyte, but Windows doesn't see the device.  I've tried plugging it into all 3 available USB ports on the MB.  When I restart the PC, it's not "identified" by Windows.  I've double-checked the USB settings in BIOS (F5), and everything is set correctly.  I'm frustrated by this issue, but have run out of ideas.  I do have an external USB card reader that functions fine, but I wanted to keep desktop clutter to a minimum.  The device manufacturer's website (www.thermal-star.com) is completely useless.  Anybody out there got any ideas?  I can't point the right drivers at it, if Win7 doesn't see it in the first place. 

[Smitty]

I meant to type BIOS F6, not F5.  After reading some suggestions from Microsoft regarding similar issues with internal card readers, I uninstalled all of the USB Host Controllers in Device Manager and restarted the PC.  Let windows find the USB devices, determine it didn't have the right drivers, had Windows find the right ones, and then installed them.  That whole process didn't fix my issue. 

But now I have a different issue, and don't know if it's related.  I can't get into BIOS now.  After repeatedly hitting the DEL key on startup, either after a complete shut down, or a restart, it just skips past BIOS and loads Windows.  I have a Logitech wireless keyboad and mouse that both use USB transmitters.  They seem to work fine, but hitting the DEL key during POST just doesn't open BIOS up.  I ran into this issue last week, but got around it by using my backup wired keyboard (still USB though). 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Have you tried inserting a card into the slot as it might only show when it is in operation?

I think I would clear your CMOS to see if that would help also and with the keyboard problem.

[Smitty]

Hi

Have you tried inserting a card into the slot as it might only show when it is in operation?

I think I would clear your CMOS to see if that would help also and with the keyboard problem.

Thanks DM.  I have kept a CF card in the reader the whole time.  This way if the LED lights, I'd quickly know that it was reading.  As far as clearing CMOS for the keyboard issue, I'll try that.

[Dark Mantis]

It's certainly worth trying and it also just might help with the card reader too as it will make the system look for all the devices again.

[Smitty]

I cleared the CMOS by holding down the Clear CMOS button on the MB for 10 seconds after the PC was shut down.  I still can't open BIOS, but clearing the CMOS did change the time and date on the lower right corner in Windows.

[Dark Mantis]

Try doing a complete CMOS clear. Sometimes the way you did it doesn't work properly.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least ten minutes before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self and then press F10 to save and exit.

[Smitty]

Thanks again DM.  I'll have to do that when I get home from work tonight.

[Smitty]

Try doing a complete CMOS clear. Sometimes the way you did it doesn't work properly.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least ten minutes before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

I did as you recommended, and was able to get into my BIOS using the wired USB keyboard.  I then loaded optimized BIOS before I realized that I'd lose my RAID array, and therefore my OS!  I went back into BIOS and selected RAID, and luckily my OS was still intact.  Boy, that was close!  I really don't feel like rebuilding my array and reinstalling my OS again.  Anyway, long story short, the card reader STILL is not seen.  I'm convinced it's a Win7 issue, not a Gigabyte issue.  There are no specific drivers for either my current card reader nor its predecessor.  As I've said before, I've got an external card reader that works, but getting this $#@M*! thing to work, has become an obsession. 

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self and then press F10 to save and exit.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes the PS2 keyboard usually works better in these situations and is always worth keeping one just for this type of emergency.

You could be right about it being a driver issue as I think it shoulld have worked by now if it was a hardware problem.

[Smitty]

OK.  It's time to get drastic.  I'm going to follow absic's suggestion.  I'm going to rebuild my arrays, and do a clean install of my OS, and hope that Windows "discovers" the card reader and finds the appropriate drivers.  Really didn't want to do this, but it's time for drastic measures.  Wish me luck.

[absic]

Hi Smitty,

just a thought about the Multi Panel problem. Have you double checked that:
a) the USB Headers on the motherboard are working OK with a different device?
b) it is possible that the wiring on the Multi Panel header for the USB connector is wrong. Does the installation manual for the device show the pin assignment?

[Smitty]

Hi Smitty,

just a thought about the Multi Panel problem. Have you double checked that:
a) the USB Headers on the motherboard are working OK with a different device?
b) it is possible that the wiring on the Multi Panel header for the USB connector is wrong. Does the installation manual for the device show the pin assignment?

Hi absic.  The plug for the USB header is clearly marked, so I followed the MB user manual to verify the USB pin assignments.  I was just talking with a friend, and we both agree that there's a possibility that I may at some point inadvertently plugged the USB in backwards, which would have fried the USB/card reader portion of the device.  At least that would explain why early on it was seen by Win7 but didn't have correct drivers, and now, it simply isn't seen at all.  Also, plugging it into my wife's PC wouldn't tell me anything because she's also running Win7 x64.  And if I actually did fry the USB portion of the device, it wouldn't work in her case either. The device has a 4-pin USB header, not a 9-pin.  So it's possible to plug it in wrong.  That could've happened while trying out different headers on the MB.  I spoke with the vendor where I purchased it online, and we agreed the best thing to do is RMA the device.  So I have to BUY another one, when I receive it, send the defective one back, THEN they'll reimburse me.

[absic]

I may at some point inadvertently plugged the USB in backwards

Ouch!

If you have accidently  plugged the USB header in the wrong way you need to double check that you haven't also damaged the headers on the motherboard. Do you have another device to test this?

[Smitty]

OK. Just for fun, I plugged the device back in backwards.  I figured that if I already fried it, it couldn't hurt right?  Anyway, Windows recognized it!!  BUT...it said it wasn't installed because there were no drivers for it.  So I went into device manager, found it (the only item with a yellow triangle), reported as an unknown device.  When I checked the device's properties, Windows says "Windows has stopped the device because it has reported problems. (Code 43).  But when I try to update the drivers, by using the Search Automatically feature, it says "The best driver software for your device is already installed.  Windows has determined the driver software for your device is up to date."

Now what??