Intel USB Ports stopped working

[Redhouse]

Newbie here. I did try searching this but did not find a match, 

I have an IBM T42P Laptop running Windows XP. My USB ports stopped working the other day.  The Device manager sees them,  "properties" says that they are working properly, yet they do not see any USB devices that I connect.  These devices can be seen on other computers.

I tried updating drivers, disabling and re-enabling them and uninstalling and reinstalling them. When I plug a USB Memory key into them the light comes on, it went out when I uninstalled them.

I hope that this is something that can be remedied.

I look forward to your replies     

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

In device manager, are there any Yellow Question or Exclamation marks?

If so, please list them.

[JJ 3000]

Try doing a system restore to before the problem started.

[Redhouse]

In device manager, are there any Yellow Question or Exclamation marks?

If so, please list them.

Thanks for the replies. I will check tonight and let you know.

Not sure how to do a system restore, hopefully it won't be necessary.   

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

If you do end up doing a System Restore, there are instructions here:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000589.htm

System Restore only touches System Files. None of your personal files and data will be erased.

[Redhouse]

If you do end up doing a System Restore, there are instructions here:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000589.htm

System Restore only touches System Files. None of your personal files and data will be erased.

No Yellow question or exclamation marks.

I will try to restore. Thanks for the help.

Wish me luck, I'm goin' in.

 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Just restore to a few days before the problem.

Good luck.

[Redhouse]

Well, I tried the restore, I used two dates before the problem started. I got this notification.   

Changes made to drive(s) E:\ after this point cannot be reversed because the drive was either excluded from System restore Monitoring or was turned off or removed.

I do have the external hard drive attached. As I mentioned, I know that it works as it is fine on another machine.

One more piece of information. The one thing that I think happened before the problem started was I got a Quick time notice saying something to the effect of some quicktime resources have been allocated elsewher, do you want to restore? I think I said yes.     

Also, I have a Quicktime Chipsets icon on my desktop that I don't think was there before.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

First, I would try removing Quicktime.

When you plug in a USB device, EXACTLY what happens?

Also, by USB devices, do you mean mouses and keyboard ect?

[Redhouse]

The USB devices that I am referring to are an external hard drive and a memory key. I have two USB ports and have tried both devices in both ports. The computer does not see them. There is a light on the memory key does light up, but that is all that happens.

I will try removing Quicktime.

Thanks.           

[soybean]

I have two USB ports and have tried both devices in both ports.        

Are those ports on front of your computer?  Do you also have USB ports on back?  Have tried them?

[Redhouse]

I have two USB ports and have tried both devices in both ports.        

Are those ports on front of your computer?  Do you also have USB ports on back?  Have tried them?

It's a laptop. Although it shows as a 4 port, I only have two on the side.

I have uninstalled Quick time. I have uninstalled all of the ports. I have rebooted after both. When it came back up it detected the USB hardware and said that it installed and is ready to use.  Once again, the light on the USB key went off when I uninstalled the ports. But, it does not see the devices.

[patio]

Was this laptop dropped recently ? ?

[Redhouse]

Was this laptop dropped recently ? ?

No, it is pretty stationary.   

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I would reinstall your motherboard drivers.

Go to your laptop manufacturers website and lookup your laptop model in the driver ssection.