Significance

• Updating your USB device drivers are important in Vista. If your drivers are not updated, this can cause problems and conflicts with Windows Vista. If you have installed a USB device on your computer that runs Vista, it is possible that the device drivers are not compatible with Vista. Users can check the manufacturer's website for updated drivers for their USB device.
  
  

Function

• If there is a problem with a USB device in Vista, users should check the device manager for the status of the device. The name of the device and the status is listed. If there is an exclamation mark next to the device's name, this is an indication that the USB device has malfunctioned. The USB drivers may be updated using the computer's device manager utility.
  
  

Effects

• If users have made changes to their Vista computer, such as installed new software, this can cause problems with the USB. Devices that use USB drives may no longer operate properly. This can be due to a software conflict and the changing of USB driver configuration. This problem can be corrected by uninstalling and reinstalling the USB device driver.
  
  

Features

• If a new USB device has been installed on a Vista machine and it is not working properly, the user should check USB ports, unplug the USB device and re-plug it into other USB ports. Some USB posts may malfunction while others are working. In some cases, if it is a new USB device install, the computer may need to be restarted in order for the new USB settings to be configured.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Microsoft offers users assistance on their website in the help section for users who have Vista installed and need USB help. The site offers troubleshooting steps and advice on installing USB devices and errors associated with USB devices and Vista. The information is free, and if users can't find their issue listed, they can input their topic in the search box.