It’s surprisingly easy, and you’ll retain virtually all data and settings in the process. Re-install the system Don’t be overly hesitant with this method: use our tutorial on reinstalling Mac OS X to the problematic update off your Mac and revert to an earlier system state that did not exhibit conflicts and other USB device problems. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the third timeĬheck for interference/add hub In many cases, connectivity and recognition issues are solved by simply disconnecting other power-drawing USB devices from the same bus or adding an externally powered hub. Reset NVRAM/PRAM Shut down your Mac, then start it back up while immediately holding the following keys: Command, Option, P and R. Start at the shallow levels (offered by some of the programs) and move onto the deeper routines. (These are probably present on your Tiger installer DVD, if you have one, but the best way to obtain them, if you have a broadband Internet connection, is to go to, join the Apple Developer Connection as a free online member, and log in to obtain the most recent Xcode tools installer as a 1GB download.) Apparently, just running USB Prober does some sort of USB reset that can “wake up” unresponsive USB ports.Ĭlearing caches Use a tool like Cocktail, OnyX, MacPilot, or Tiger Cache Cleaner to perform a cache cleaning on your Mac. It is located in /Developer/Applications/Utilities, provided you have installed the Xcode developer tools. USB Prober You might try running USB Prober. The reasons why this workaround is so effective are varied, but one is that re-installing the combination update can replace components - including those related to USB functionality - that were damaged during the initial update process (the combo update is larger in size than the version-to-version or “delta” update and makes any incremental release current ) Re-apply the Mac OS X combo updater And oldie but goodie: navigate to Apple’s download page, then retrieve apply the combination updater that matches your system (e.g. Check your device manufacturer’s site or VersionTracker for any new revisions. Update firmware If your USB device’s firmware is out-of-date, you might see issues, particularly after system updates. In response, MacFixIt reaer Len Willaims wrote: “I’ve noticed that all it takes to get my Wacom tablet working is to unplug the USB cable and plug it back in again.” As an example, we recently noted that some users experienced USB device failure after the application of Security Update 2007-007, in particular with regard to Wacom tablets. Unplug, then re-plug It might seem almost too rudimentary, but this is an oft-overlooked fix that’s successful in a surprising number of cases: Unplug your USB device along with any external power it may use, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in. Here’s a quick rundown of workarounds, in increasing order of complication and potential for side-effects (i.e., try the first-listed ones first) for eliminating problems with lack of device recognition, conflicts between devices and more. Version reviewed: 2.2.USB device issues can crop up at anytime, but are most common after a significant system update. Even though Mac Pilot has some built-in maintenance functionality, I recommend that you also check other tools that are dedicated to these tasks, for example: Maintenance or OnyX, both being from Maintenance's producer. In conclusion: If you like to discover new things that your Mac OS X can do, then this application is a good start. It can also do maintenance tasks to your system.ĭrawbacks / flaws: The documentation could be improved. Pluses: It enables lots of hidden/disabled features of Mac OS X and its built-in applications. My reason is simple, it's too complex to explain every feature of Mac Pilot, and why should I spoil your surprise? I won't write anything else about this application. Mac Pilot gives you more control over applications and features like Finder, Dock, Safari, Mail, Disks, Network, Sharing, System, Fonts, Logs, Tools, Info, Power, as well as a category of miscellaneous settings. I tested most of the hidden/disabled features that could be enabled and I saw my Mac do things that it didn't do before. This application doesn't need a 'Preferences' panel, because the panel is useless. I was impressed at first by the number of options available. 'Mac Pilot' is a complex application that enables over 300 hidden features in Mac OS X and other applications.
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