usb controller initialization failed - help needed

[getut]

I've searched and searched but found no fix for this. The knowledgebase seems to be on the fritz because it returns no records for me at all on any query.

I have an HP NW8000 laptop running Windows XP SP2 and VMWare Player 2. I have a Windows XP virtual machine that I created with VMWare converter and I have been tweaking it for a few weeks with VMWare workstation 5.5.3 and 6 (never upgraded the virtual machine to 6 format though). My VMWare workstation machine is an HP NC8230 laptop also running Win XP SP2. The virtual machine worked fine in workstation 5.5.3, still works fine in 6, but I get the USB error when I move it to the VMWare player laptop.

The exact error message title is: USB controller initialization failed

The error message body is: A supported host USB driver was not found. If you have installed USB traffic monitoring software on the host system, please remove it. Virtual USB controller has been disconnected.

The player log file shows the following:

Jun 07 15:04:29.813: vmx| USB: Initializing 'Generic' backend

Jun 07 15:04:29.813: vmx| Msg_Post: Warning

Jun 07 15:04:29.813: vmx| \[msg.usb.hcmonOpenFailed] USB controller initialization failed. A supported host USB driver was not found. If you have installed USB traffic monitoring software on the host system, please remove it.

Jun 07 15:04:29.813: vmx|

Jun 07 15:04:29.813: vmx| Virtual USB controller has been disconnected.

Jun 07 15:04:29.813: vmx| \----

---

[José_Partín]

I'm sure that your real (not virtual) XP has a USB driver that is not from Microsoft.. look in the Device Manager in the USB devices and look in Propieties and Drivers and Drivers Details (maybe the exact names aren't like this because I use a spanish XP so I translate using only common sens ahaha)...if you have installed an scanner (like HP) or something like this, sometimes they replace the original Microsoft USB driver by one of their like HP or other brand. Make sure that your USB driver is Microsoft not HP or Kodak or anything else.

I hope that was useful and recover your USB virtual was efective.

[chicagodj]

I am just starting to learn to use VMware Workstation. I get the same error. I installed VMware Workstation and created a guest VM of Ubuntu 6.06. When I start the vm I get the error. Checking the drivers for USB I have found that all the drivers are digitally signed and are either from Microsoft (generic USB hub signed by Microsoft publisher) or Intel (Microsoft windows hardware compatibility publisher).

My system is as follows:

Dell Inspiron E1705

Windows XP Pro SP2 (all updates)

2.0 GHz intel centrino core duo 2mb l2 cache

1gb RAM

100GB SATA 7200RPM 16mb cache hdd

nvidia geforce go 7800 256mb running at native 1920x1200 reso

I installed dapper drake (ubuntu 6.06LTS) from the official release CDs from ubuntu. And I get this as soon as I start the virtual machine. However the mouse that I am using is USB and it functions fine within the VM.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Intelopment]

I had this same problem, and found a solution that worked for me. I hope this helps at least a few others.

I had recently gone into BIOS and (accidentally) disabled USB devices. This action resulted in the VMWare warning message described in this thread.

To verify whether this is your situation: On the Host system (assuming Windows), go into System Properties (Control Panel). Select Hardware tab. Select Device manager. If you see no Universal Serial Bus Controllers, then VMware will see no USB controllers.

To Fix: Go into BIOS and re-enable USB devices.

YMMV.

[Alfishe]

You can get the same kind of errors after Sony Ericsson mobile phones software installation.

All USB Hub drivers will be updated with SE versions.

To restore VMWare functionality you should roll back original Microsoft drivers

[monica102539]

Hi everyone,

When I update my Sony Ericsson mobile phones software (Sony Ericsson PC Suite v.6.009.00), I also get this VMware message "USB controller initialization failed".

My circumstance is just like Alfishe' mention above.

But I can't roll back my Microsoft drivers to the original version through "Device Manager" ("Roll Back Driver" option is not available)

Please give me more information about how to deal with this problem.

Thanks a lot!

[mdinisoae]

Hello All,

I succeeded to solve this issue.

First of all I read KB Article 1679 - Configuring Windows Hosts for Use with USB Monitors (Sniffers).

I downloaded debugview tool and I saw the name of driver that make me problems - "seehcri".

Another solution to check USB drivers (driver version, Driver Date, Manufacturer ....):

In Windows -> Start -> Run... MSINFO32 (+ Enter)

System Summary > Software Environment > Signed Drivers > USB Root Hub

In my computer I found SonyEricsson version installed driver from my mobile Phone - Sony Ericsson PCCompanion. Roll Back driver is not working (as many people tried already).

SO, go to Computer Management -> Device Manager -> USB Root Hub (click right on it an choose Properties) -> Driver -> choose "Update Driver" -> No, not this time (for Windows update from Internet) -> Next -> Install from a list or specific location -> Next -> "No search, I will choose the driver to install" -> Next -> uncheck "Show compatible hardware" -> Choose Manufacturer "Standard USB Host Controller" & Model "USB Root Hub" -> Next -> Finish.

Need to do the same for all USB Root Hub devices.

In the end you can check the driver one more time with MSINFO32, should be :

- driver version: 5.1.2600.5512

- driver date: 7.01.2001

- Manufacturer: Standard USB Host Controller.

In my case I have Windows XP Prof, SP3 on IBM ThinkPad T60 (for Windowx XP SP2 it's possible to have different date and the last 4 digits from driver version), VMware Workstation 6.5.4 build 246459

You can restart your computer to be sure that drivers will not change back to the original version.

Open VMware Workstation and stat one VM.

In case driver switch back to Sony Erricsson you need to clean all registry. In my case I made Search for "seehcri" driver; I deleted all registry keys related to this driver. Also is needed to delete copy of drivers from C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\00xx\drivers (xx is a number)

- C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\0023

- C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\0032

- C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\0033

- C:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\0034

After reboot you got an error message and ask you to give location for "seehcri". Choose Ingnore option and go to Computer Management -> Device Manager and repeat the steps for Update Driver.

I hope this info will help all of you that got the same issue:

"USB controller initialization failed. A supported host USB driver was not found. If you have installed USB traffic monitoring software on the host system, please remove it. Virtual USB controller has been disconnected".