Wiping the HD would not be a big deal. It's my wife's computer and she doesn't have much, if any, data on it.
Never try fixing things on speculation. Wiping out the OS or loading Linux is classic wild speculation. Demonstrates no basic knowledge of how hardware works. Never fix something until the problem is first identified.
This assumes Dell’s comprehensive hardware diagnostics were executed from the CD or by booting it without Windows. Diagnostics that verify each and every component (including fans). That test would report on what the computer can see. It will see the USB interface computer. Not see beyond that device (unless and maybe if that test is performed with some USB device connected.
USB port consists of data transfer circuits. And another completely different circuit to measure current. From the less than complete description, both USB functions act as if damaged. Hardware failure that obviously cannot be fixed by software, speculation, or shotgunning as a few others suggested. A problem that may or may not be apparent by deleting the device in Device Manager. Then rebooting. To learn if Windows can see and therefore reload the USB driver. Never 'nuke and clean' the OS to perform that simple test.
If a transient did that hardware damage, what was the possibly damaged or overstressed USB device connected to that port when damage happened?
Consider buying a USB PCI interface card. Disable the existing USB ports in Device Manager before installing that new card. Also expect overstress in a USB device that was connected when a possible transient occurred. A failure that may occur months after the damage.
Also possible; that USB port failed due to manufacturing defect. Task to fix a manufacturing defect is well beyond most everyone’s abilities. Requires basic hardware knowledge and some simple tools. Better is to buy a USB PCI card and be done with it.
