unable to use flash usb ports but computer recognizes the hardware

[vicko0]

Hello Guys,
Have had this problem for about a week now... Nothing I input in my usb drives will work, meaning usb flash drives, mp3 players, cameras etc. EXCEPT for a usb mouse.Now I even tried the same usb mouse on all the usb ports with correct results. As soon as I insert a hardware into a usb port I get message "safely remove hardware". When I look at the device manager, flash drives shows error as Mass Storage Device -Generic.  I wouldn't think that all the flash drives I tried will have the same problem, so  I tried reinstalling the usb drivers from the Recovery CD but does not help. Seen on this forum that this can happen while trying to install SP3 for win xp - now this do came up frequently as a win. update and failed on installation. I followed microsoft advise and d/l the file "fixccs" and this didn't help. Checked add/remove programs and sp3 does not exist.

[chaputikachagwa]

 back up you staff and reinstall your operating sysytem , good lucky

[vicko0]

Thank You, Guess I have no other choice; second time this has happened to me.... to *censored* with sp 3 and automatic updates..thanks again

[patio]

Go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager....
Find every instance of USB Roots and Hubs...
Right click each one and select remove.
You will recieve a warning message...ignore it.
Power down and power back up...Windows willl automatically re-install them.

Beats the heck out of a re-install of everything.

[vicko0]

HI Patio, tried uninstalling and let windows reinstal on startup and nothing changed. I did a little researched on different sites and found that once SP3 messes up your machine, only a clean install of win xp will fix it. thanks again

[JXY]

SP3 hasn't messed up my machine.

although, now my graphics drivers are installed, but standby button is still greyed out. and whenever i shut xp down, it gets "it is now safe to shutdown your computer" message. then i have to manually shut it down.

i take my initial comment back. 

[programming_pat]

do you have knowledge in doing a clean install of your operating system???

[CBMatt]

SP3 hasn't messed up my machine.

although, now my graphics drivers are installed, but standby button is still greyed out. and whenever i shut xp down, it gets "it is now safe to shutdown your computer" message. then i have to manually shut it down.

i take my initial comment back. 

You should be able to fix this with a simple registry tweak.

[patio]

HI Patio, tried uninstalling and let windows reinstal on startup and nothing changed. I did a little researched on different sites and found that once SP3 messes up your machine, only a clean install of win xp will fix it. thanks again

I wouldn't be so hasty in blaming SP3 for a hardware/driver issue...
If the above did not work try re-installing your MBoard drivers...