Power Surge On Hub Port

     If you connect devices to your computer via your USB port, and you're using an XP operating system, you may get a popup at the bottom of the screen which reads: Power Surge on Hub Port.  This usually happens when there is nothing connected to your computer.

     You can follow the instructions on the popup, but sometimes, the power error just "ping-pongs" between the ports, causing an endless loop.  Some of the suggested "fixes" for this problem calls for going into your settings and "hiding" these popups.  However, this only solves the symptom, and not the problem.  Every time a power surge happens, it affects the CPU - so, you could be burning out your CPU and not even knowing it.

     Here is the recommended fix from Microsoft -

When you wake up a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer from hibernation or from standby, you may receive the following error message:
Power Surge on Hub Port: A USB Device has exceeded the power limits of its hub port.
This error message is displayed even if there are no USB devices connected to the computer.
WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, disable the USB 2.0-enhanced host controller.

Note When you disable the USB 2.0-enhanced host controller, you lose USB 2.0 functionality. That is, you revert to USB 1.1 functionality.

To disable the USB 2.0-enhanced host controller, follow these steps: 1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
2. Under Computer Management (Local), click Device Manager.
3. In the Device Manager pane, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
4. Right-click the USB 2.0-enhanced host controller, and then click Disable.

Note The name of the USB 2.0-enhanced host controller may vary.
5. When you receive the confirmation message, click Yes.
6. Close Device Manager.

     This solution works - however, your computer no longer has USB 2.0 speed.  So, your peripherals will operate - only slowly.  Re-enabling your 2.0 driver will cause the problems to come back.  Therefore, these are your choices:

1) Lose your USB ports;

2) Make them work at a slower speed; or

3) Hide the messages, retain speed, and be prepared for either your USB device to fail or your PC computer to die (and then go buy an Apple - they don't have this problem).

© Michael V. Ziemski, Instrumediatech, 2008 (Original Publication Date: 20080804)