Microsoft- recent Vista update hoses some USB devices

In the "color me embarrassed" department PC Magazine is reporting that a recent Vista update is wreaking havoc with some user's USB devices.  Microsoft has admitted the update created a problem and that they are working to address it. 

"We are aware of concerns that a recent Microsoft update may be causing problems with USB devices," according to a Microsoft spokeswoman. "We are investigating the matter and at this time do not have any additional information to share."

Some users are not affected while others are now having trouble with USB devices like keyboards and mice since the update last week.  This is shedding light on my recent Vista disk thrashing problems when I resume from sleep mode, at least I think so.

I detailed how my Fujitsu P1620 began exhibiting problems with resuming from sleep recently and today I experienced the exact same problem on my HP 2710p.  Both computers had run fine until recently and I was wracking my brain to come up with something that might have changed recently that could cause this type of problem.  I believe this bad update from Microsoft may very well be the cause because USB issues can easily cause difficulty with devices that are docked when they resume from standby (sleep).  Even though no obvious USB device is not working when this happens there are integrated components that are USB based, like the PC Card EVDO modem that was in play on the Fujitsu when the problem started.  I don't have definitive proof that this update has indeed caused this problem on multiple computers but the timing of both the problems and the update are very close.

Comments

[Bryan]

I've said it once, I have said it a million times... Vista is a piece of crap and Microsoft is proving me right all the time. :-)

[Jake]

Hmmm, My P1610 recently started behaving badly (including crashing during shutdown once) and the only change that I could think of was the recent Windows Update. I wonder if this could be the cause.

By the way, Vista isn't a piece of crap and I think Microsoft can be forgiven if they inadvertantly release a patch designed for millions of different hardware configurations that causes problems for a few users. At least they've identified the problem and are working on a fix.

[Tony]

What a pain. The same day this article came out, I started having issues with my Q1 Ultra. It runs fine until I plug in my USB 727 Ev-DO Modem. Shortly after it is recognized the system freezes and I have to pull the battery. I've tried a system restore, but the Q1 will not let me restore to a date before the noted updated was installed. It looks like I will have to reformat this weekend to get it back up and running. Way to go Microsoft!!!!!!!! So far my other vista systems have not been affected.

Tony