XP Pro SP3: USB Ports not working

[Tyiell]

Hi all,

 

I'd like to say this is the first problem of term, but it really isn't!!! It is however, the first to get me confused (but it is monday, so it could just be me!)

 

I have a laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3 that has randomly decided not to recognise any USB devices at all. No power, no flashing lights, nothing. It's the same on all 4 ports (they are split into pairs and are opposite ends of the case, so I don't think it is damage from being dropped). Everything else works fine. The system has all the latest MS updates, the drivers are installed ok (I tried disabling them and re-enabling them - no joy).

 

It has an up-to-date AV running on access scanning so I don't think its likely to be a virus, but I'm in the process of a full system scan now to be certain. I have also checked the BIOS settings - I can't find anything wrong in there...

 

All I can see on google is this: USB port may stop working after you remove or insert a USB device which doesn't seem to apply; basically I don't seem to have the USB registry key in that place. I figured that was a problem, but I have an identical laptop that works fine with all usb devices I throw at it, and it doesn't have that registry key either...!

 

Any ideas?

Edited September 13, 2010 by Tyiell
I'm an idiot that can't type :)

[rush_tech]

When you say disable, do you mean uninstalled and rebooted machine reinstalls them on logon? that has worked for me in the past

[Azhibberd]

How about booting it with a linux live cd? Just to see if that can use the usb's fine? That way your know if your looking at hardware or software

[Tyiell]

No, in fairness I just disabled them in device manager and re-enabled them! Ill give that a go as soon as the AV scan is done.

[Tyiell]

How about booting it with a linux live cd? Just to see if that can use the usb's fine? That way your know if your looking at hardware or software

 

Hey, good plan - I hadn't though of that! I'll try it once the AV scan is done!

[sted]

i have had a laptop before that wasnt sysprepped properly and usb devices only showed up if i manually refreshed device manager

[machin05]

Sounds daft but try shutting down, unplugging the power and then removing the battery for 10 mins.

This sorted things out on a laptop I looked at yesterday that was constantly popping up the "USB Device not Recognised" balloon.

[Tyiell]

Thanks all!! Unfortunately nothing has worked, so I'm at wit's end. I've even taken it apart and checked connections on the motherboard. They looked ok, no sign of damage. Probably going to have to pull it out of circulation - with a usb adapter in the PCI slot it could be used again, but we'll hold it back as a spare.

 

If anyone has any further brainwaves, they'll be appreciated!

[kili]

Motherboard drivers? what make is the PC?

[sted]

did the usb port work form winpe/linux live etc?

[Tyiell]

Motherboard drivers? what make is the PC?

 

Dell Latitude D610. We've got a few of them, never had this problem before. All the drivers are installed, and were downloaded from the Dell website...

[Tyiell]

did the usb port work form winpe/linux live etc?

 

Nope! I used Ubuntu LiveCD, it didn't recognise any of them... I figure it has to be a hardware fault, but it seems odd to have fragged all 4 usb ports but nothing else on the board...

[Azhibberd]

In all honestly sounds like its hardware shot! Guessing its not under warrenty? Normally like a week after

[Tyiell]

In all honestly sounds like its hardware shot! Guessing its not under warrenty? Normally like a week after

 

Heh, no this thing dates back to the Laptops for Teachers scheme!! Still annoying to lose it though, teachers "need" laptops after all, and with a budget of 7p, I doubt we can replace!