David's Blog

also: USB card slow data transfer
and: Finepix s1500 crashes computer when transferring pictures

Yes - all these problems are linked.

Here's the hardware / software:
Computer: Windows 7 64bit, 4Gb RAM, decent enuf processor, MSI p4m900 motherboard.
iPox: latest firmware (3.1.3), latest iVirus iTunes (9.something)

Here are the symptoms:
iPoo: Multiple crashes when trying to sync, "an unknown error occurred" "unable to sync... ipod" and so on. Files sometimes transfer, but VERY slowly.
USB card: file transfer is slow, especially large files
Finepix S1500: transfers 4-6 photos, then the computer freezes

Here's what I (and you) have tried:
Disabling Superfetch, Disabling Powermanagement on the USB ports, Disabling RDC, unplugging everything and deleting all USB drivers so Win7 reloads them, having ONLY the iThing /camera/ USB card plugged in, installing the NVIDIA MS EHCI Hotfix (no, I didn't bother with that - not compatible, but some have), kicking the computer, shouting, etc...

Here's what is actually wrong:
Windows 7 drivers for the Via USB Enhanced Host Controller don't work with my motherboard, and maybe yours.
It's as simple as that - they work with some Motherboards, and not with others. The P4M900 chipset I've got on the offending computer is "old", and somehow it just doesn't like the Win7 drivers.

Here's how to get it working:
Three possible methods:

1. You might be really lucky, and your computer / motherboard manufacturer might have a driver / bios update that fixes it. Download it, install it, and wayhay!
2. This'll give you access to your iPain, but at USB 1.1 speeds (better than not-working-at-all USB 2 speeds) disable the Via USB Enhanced Host Controller. Here's how: START MENU » type devmgmt.msc into 'Search programs and files' » Device Manager pops up » Double-click "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" (near the bottom) » find the "Enhanced Host Controller" entry » Right click, choose "Disable" » click "Yes" to the warning. Done.
3. This costs a little money, and needs a bit of tech know-how: buy a plug-in PCI USB Card. I got this one: Startech 7 PORT PCI USB CARD ADAPTER - UK from Ebuyer. It's a VIA chipset, which worried me, but it works perfectly. Plugged it in, shifted the Case front-USB ports onto the card, turned on the 'puter, plugged in the Finepix and wooooosh! 480mbps has arrived at last.

Hope that helps.

Yup, that's what it's going to be about today - there's nothing better!
Come to HT at 10:30am to hear all about it. In fact it's an all-age talk, so kids: you're welcome too (as always!).

We've had a fantastic time at HT with "A Passion for Life". I'll try to get some photos together and put them up.
In the meantime, Phillip Jensen's Sermon is online in a video version - here: www.hotfrog.info/apfl.html#Jensen

Sorry about that - offline for a few days due to Bluehost kindly changing passwords...

There's a speed camera on the M6 that's raking in money from fines - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1256738/Speed-camera-trap-M6-racing-record-3m-haul-fines.html

Here's the reaction from campaign groups:

Nigel Humphries, of the Association of British Drivers, said: 'This has to be the worst case we have heard of."

Claire Armstrong, of Safespeed, said: 'This is absolutely disgusting.."

But amazingly (not) they're not complaining about the drivers who are breaking the law, or putting road safety at risk, no - they're complaining that they're getting caught!

Humphries said:

"this is appalling and the speed cameras must be sited wrongly to have clocked so many speeding drivers"

Um - or maybe they've been sited correctly, where so many drivers are speeding?

Perhaps we should re-phrase? "This is appalling, and the drivers need to stop speeding at this site".

OK - I've not been caught speeding, so I haven't experienced that "fury" on getting a "nasty little surprise in the post", but there is a law, there are signs, so: live with it! (and slow down).