Frequent uninitiated USB disconnects

[p0larized]

About four months ago I purchased a Sony Vaio vgn-sz750/c notebook. From the start this notebook has been randomly disconnecting and reconnecting one of the internal USB hubs/devices. In windows the audible notification will sound each time this happens "ba-da". In Linux the syslogs will indicate a USB disconnect and reconnect. When these disconnects happen the trackpad will stop working momentarily.

I've sent this into Sony once and their techs stated they could not find any problems with the notebook. I know for a fact there is a problem with the hardware on this notebook. My problem is they do not support Linux, so sending my syslogs as proof of a hardware error will not work. How can I monitor this, and log these frequent USB disconnects in Windows?

Before this back to Sony I want some kind of proof their techs will understand, and realize there is a hardware issue. All the formats and reinstalls in the world are not going to fix it.

EDIT: added syslog and lsusb output

usb 1-1: USB disconnect, address 2
Nov 20 06:55:39 raptor kernel: [ 2714.781138] usb 1-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 3
Nov 20 06:55:40 raptor kernel: [ 2714.958243] usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Nov 20 07:09:21 raptor kernel: [ 3536.465047] CE: hpet increasing min_delta_ns to 22500 nsec

Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 05ca:183a Ricoh Co., Ltd 
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 147e:2016  
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Thanks

EDIT: p0larized *buys dwellman a cold one* Fantastic!

 

[dwellman]

USBDeview

 

[afeuerst]

I am not a tech person (I can't say that I understood most of the post) but I am having the same problem with my Sony laptop (it keeps disconnecting from the USB and reocnnecting). Any suggestions?

 

[Jim@HiTek]

I had the same problem on a new install of WinXP Home and over time (days) it became worse and worse. I suspected software but uninstalling programs did nothing to cure the issue.

My computer is a tower style, with a brand new MSI mobo using an AMD Sempron CPU running at 2.7GHz.

The device that is being cycled between connect and disconnect is a Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless-G USB antenna powered by the USB port. The problem exists whether there are any other devices connected or not. The problem exists no matter which USB port I'm connected to. If I connect my HP USB printer, there is no cycling of the printer.

I also installed a different hard drive and reinstalled WinXP Home, followed by an upgrade to WinXP Pro. Problem still there. Installed a larger power supply. Still had the problem. Eventually, I did find a work around.

In my case the workaround is as follows:

Unplug USB device with the problem (in my case the Hawkings WiFi device). Plug in a USB/Hub, (a low cost device that splits a single computer based USB port into 4 new ports, using no separate power supply), then plug the Hawking device into the hub. This caused a 'New hardware found' sequence. Installed software for the Hawkings. Success! I can now use my Hawkings without it dropping the internet connection every 4 seconds.

I suspect this is a device sequencing issue on the mobo and I'm watching MSI's web site for new drivers. It might be a while before they suspect anything is wrong and issue a new driver for the USB.