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Ask the Doctor: Universal Serial Bust

The Maximum PC Staff — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:30:49 -0500

I’m having a blue-screen problem on a T42p ThinkPad with 2GB of RAM running Windows XP Pro SP2. This is a corporate laptop issued to me as a mobile employee, so I have admin rights to it.

Every time I plug a USB device into either of the laptop’s two USB ports, it blue-screens. As long as the device is plugged in, the laptop loops through a boot process to a blue screen. Once I unplug the USB device, it behaves. Exceptions: If I put a USB power cable into the ports in the laptop for power only, there is no problem. I have a PCMCIA USB adapter too, and anything I plug into these USB ports works fine.

This PCMCIA USB adapter has a USB power cable, which I plug into the USB port in the laptop without incident. I have the PCMCIA USB adapter plugged into the PCMCIA slot, with a seven-port USB hub plugged into it running a printer, a wireless mouse, a keyboard, and a hard drive. I have a second hard drive’s data cable plugged into the USB hub, while its power cord is plugged into the laptop’s USB port, with no problem.

When I called the corporate help desk, they assumed I had a bad motherboard and sent me a replacement laptop. Same problem but worse. The new laptop, which was a 1GB machine, did not recover when the USB port was unplugged. I had to do disc recovery involving file and index cleanup to get it to behave. I went through this several times.

I used the same boot drive, which I had to transfer back and forth, on both laptops.

Fortunately, when I returned the hard drive to the old laptop, it worked the same as it had originally. I have returned the “new” replacement laptop since it did me no good, keeping the original laptop.

I’m to the point of reinstalling the OS, but I don’t have access to the corporate image without driving 90 miles, and at this point, I’m leery of just installing a different OS copy, with a different serial number.

—Joe Garza

All right, let’s try to isolate the issue. Since you blue-screen on two identical systems with the same hard drive and devices, this could be either a hardware or a software problem. First, unplug all your USB devices, including your PCMCIA adapter, and try plugging them in one at a time. Sounds like you’ve got a lot of devices going on; you might just be overloading your system, or you have a faulty device somewhere in the mix.

If your USB ports work while using a LiveCD, such as Knoppix, your issue is with Windows, not your hardware.

Still blue-screening? It could be a software issue. Try booting from a Linux Live CD (e.g., Knoppix or Ubuntu) and see if the USB ports work. If they do, it’s a Windows problem. If your company allows you to install XP’s Service Pack 3, do that. If not, reinstall your USB drivers using an XP install disc. If all else fails, you might need to go grab that corporate image. And if that doesn’t fix it, and you’re sure your plethora of USB devices isn’t overloading your machine, it might be time for a new machine.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION Are flames shooting out of the back of your rig? First, grab a fire extinguisher and douse the flames. Once the pyrotechnic display has fizzled, email the doctor at doctor@maximumpc.com for advice on how to solve your technological woes.

MPAA Throws a Fit at EFF Over Real DVD Lawsuit Statement

Alex Castle — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:25:28 -0500

Monday, the MPAA posted an open letter to the EFF titled “Hollywood isn’t Living in the Past, EFF Shouldn’t Either.” The testily-titled missive contains the association’s responses to claims that its actions against the RealDVD DVD burning software are an attempt to maintain control over technology and innovation.

In the most pointed paragraph of the letter, the MPAA’s Jeff Williams writes:

“Forgive us if we take offense when the EFF and other activist organizations that continually take the side of those who profit from widespread copyright infringement attack our industry as one that stifles innovation. It's a desperate throw-back to the Napster days of old when they pull out this tired and weathered playbook. It's not 2001 anymore.”

The letter also argues that Hollywood and the internet are no longer at odds, and that legal services like iTunes and Hulu represent ways in which the industry is embracing innovation.

What do you think? Is the MPAA right to say that “The days of Hollywood being from Mars and Silicon Valley being from Venus are simply over?” Hit the jump and let us know.

Image Credit: Real

RIAA Are Sore Losers, File Appeal in File-Sharing Mistrial

Alex Castle — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:05:06 -0500

Image Credit: Google

Everyone’s favorite trade group, the RIAA, is up to more of its usual, mustache-twirling antics as it appeals the decision to declare a mistrial in its case against Jammie Thomas. For the uninformed, the 30-year-old Thomas is being sued for $220,000 by the RIAA for file sharing. As the first person to take the music industry to court, rather than settle, her case will set a very significant precedent and could have a strong impact on the future of file sharing and the internet.

The suit was originally decided in the RIAA’s favor in October, however Judge Michael Davis threw out the ruling and declared a mistrial, declaring that “he originally misguided the jury by indicating that simply the act of making a copyrighted song available for sharing amounts to infringement,” CNET reports.

The RIAA is appealing the decision, hoping the original ruling will stick and they won’t have to conduct a whole new trial.

What do you think of the Thomas case? Let us know after the break.

Newegg Reverses Decision to Collect New York Sales Tax

Chris Moody — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:32:10 -0500

Nothing is worse than when the government decides to levy another tax someplace. Newegg customers of New York were irked on June 1, 2008 when they found out that Newegg was being required to collect sales tax to orders sent to New York, even though Newegg doesn’t have a store there.

However, Newegg has backed away from that stance, sending out an email from Newegg Company Spokesperson and Vice President of Merchandising, Bernard Luthi, saying that it reversed it’s decision based on feedback from it’s customers.

“This decision was driven by your direct and candid feedback and our continued commitment to you as our valued customers.” He went on to thank customers for their patience as they worked things out.

Of course, New York residents are still responsible for paying their sales tax.

Newegg should be applauded for taking a stand. Collecting taxes for different states, counties, and localities would be a terrible mess for any online retailer to wade through. It would only serve to drive up prices for consumers and stifle internet commerce.

How do you feel about taxes on items purchased over the web?

Nintendo Tried to Fight Off Patent Troll, Now Faces Injunction

Chris Moody — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:07:43 -0500

Last year a company called Anascape brought a lawsuit against Nintendo and Microsoft, claiming the companies violated several of its patents on game controllers. Microsoft’s deep pockets settled the case for an undisclosed amount. Nintendo decided to continue the fight, but lost. A jury awarded Anascape $21 million in damages.. The judge has refused to give Nintendo a new trial and threatens to halt sales of GameCube controllers, Wavebirds, and Wii Classic controllers until Nintendo puts up the money or posts a bond so it can continue fighting.

With Sony losing a similar suit to Immersion and Microsoft caving in, it doesn’t look good for Nintendo to win its case.

ArsTechnica looked deeper into Anascape and its patents. They found that Anascape doesn't have a web site. All of its patents belong to Brad Armstrong of Carson City, Nevada. Searches for Anascape’s offices haven't turned up anything. Anascape's lawyer Doug Cawley claims that the company wants to enter the game controller business, but Nintendo has "clogged the market”.

ArsTechnica also listed some of Anascape’s patents:

•   Patent 6,135,886, "Variable Conductance Sensor with Elastomeric Dome Cap"
•   Patent 6,208,271 "Remote Controller with Analog Button"
•   Patent 6,222,525 "Image Controller with Sheet Connected Sensors"
•   Patent 6,343, 991 "Game Control with Analog Pressure Sensor"
•   Patent 6,344,791 "Variable Sensor with Tactile Feedback"
•   Patent 6,347,997 "Analog Controls Housed with Electronic Displays"
•   Patent 6,906,700 "3D Controller with Vibration"

They rightfully point out that these are all pretty broad ideas that could apply to most any type of controller.

Patent trolling is becoming more prevalent, after all why bother making anything when you can sue your way to profits without lifting a finger. This sort of mentality will lead to a decline in innovation, as small companies can’t afford to litigate weak claims and larger companies will seek ways around them.

Patent and copyright law is broken; it is an obscenely long time before technology/music/Mickey Mouse falls into the public domain. Quinn Norton, had a great article in her column in the June or July issue of MPC you should check out on this subject.

We run the risk of patent “gridlock” and it will be small business and consumers that will pay the price. Will you want to pay it?

(Image Credit: Flickr.com yrocq

Its Not Good To Be The Spam King

Chris Moody — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:44:08 -0500

Unlike other kings, spam king Edward "Eddie" Davidson decided that he didn’t like his new royal domain at the minimum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado. After serving five weeks of his 21 month sentence his Royal ‘Spamness’ hopped a ride with his wife when she came to visit.

"He jumped in the car with his wife," said Will Cochenour with Lakewood police. "When they were leaving, he forced her in the car, brought them home and left after a change in clothing.” Davidson was last seen Sunday afternoon in his wife's 2006 silver Toyota Sequoia.

Davidson's Power Promoters spamming network promoted junk between 2002 and 2005, gumming up inboxes everywhere.

The U.S. Marshals are leading the search, with help from FBI, IRS and the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force. This time however they are sure not to take him back to Club Fed, but somewhere with a bit more security, and you can bet he’ll be in for a longer stretch of time too. This is providing that one of his spammed subjects doesn’t run into him first and tar and feather him. While this would make it a great disguise, it is sure to remove hair coming off (ouch).

If you are out looking for the spam king, be sure to imagine him without his royal accoutrements as pictured below.

The Heck With Going Postal, I'm Going Admin On Your Ass

Chris Moody — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:04:28 -0500

Be wary of the disgruntled IT guy. No really, be wary. He most likely won’t be in to gun anyone down, but he may lock you out of the computer system. That’s just what happened to the City of San Francisco. Terry Childs a network engineer who helped create the city’s new multimillion dollar FiberWan system had reportedly faced disciplinary problems at work. He is now accused of hijacking the city FiberWan system locking out all other Admins.

While the system continues to run normally, administrators can’t make changes to the framework of the system. They’ve called in experts to get into the system but it could take several weeks.

Childs first gave up a bogus password to police. He has now clammed up and is refusing to cooperate. He is currently being held in jail in lieu of $5 million bail.

San Francisco's mayor, Gavin Newsom, described Childs as a formerly well-regarded worker who had apparently turned into a "rogue employee that got a bit maniacal", "He was very good at what he did, and sometimes that goes to people's heads".

Childs pleaded not guilty yesterday to four counts of tampering with a computer network. Childs could be stripped of his public defender, since there might be a conflict of interest because the defender's office is part of the city and county of San Francisco. He faces up to seven years in jail.

Whatever the reason, Childs’ lack of professionalism not only totaled his career (really would you hire this guy to run your systems), but makes managers twitchy about Admin’s in general. The act itself is childish (pun unintended) and will accomplish nothing more than making the city spend money -- tax payer money -- on fixing the problem. In exchange, this guy will never hold a job with that level of responsibility again and will certainly owe millions in damages to the city.

Botting in MMOs Suffers a Setback

Chris Moody — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:31:49 -0500

Blizzard has won a summary judgment against the World of Warcraft bot maker MDY (the folks that brought you WowGlider, now MMOGlider) based on copyright grounds. The judge also decided that liability for contributory copyright infringement and tortious interference is off the table and won’t go to the jury at trial. This is a victory for Blizzard and a setback for MDY, which brought the action.

Botting has been common in MMO games from almost the beginning and developers have tried varying amounts of pressure to stop the practice. It causes headaches to developers trying to manage an ‘economy’ within their games and discourages players who want to play within the game's frame work and rules. Players have used it as a method to get ahead in MMOs and even turned it into real money by selling virtual items and characters made in this fashion for real money.

This is starting to sound bad for MDY. Who do you think is in the right? MDY, or Blizzard? The final ruling could have an effect felt across many MMOs.

(Image Credit: flickr.com Veronica Belmont)