Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: flippingcricket on March 07, 2008, 10:19:22 AM

Title: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: flippingcricket on March 07, 2008, 10:19:22 AM

Hi everyone. Yesterday morning I was on my desktop for a while and everything was working fine. When I came back that afternoon my keyboard/mouse/printer/etc (all USB devices) weren't responding so I tried moving the devices into different slots. It turns out that only one of the ports works (I think I have seven--two on the front and five on the back. There's two on my monitor also but they've never worked anyway...) meaning that I can only use either my mouse or my keyboard. I'm confused because everything was working fine and then suddenly...not working fine.

Back in December I added some RAM and a new graphics card but that was three months ago.

I understand a little bit about computers but this is entirely beyond me. I'm at a loss here. Can anyone help?

I'm running WinXP SP2 on a DualCore Intel Pentium D 820, 2800 MHz. For a firewall I use COMODO. I'm not sure what other info to give.

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: jerryheavyarms on March 07, 2008, 10:24:10 AM

Have you installed any software/hardware prior to this?


Welcome to CH! ;D

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: flippingcricket on March 07, 2008, 10:29:57 AM

Thanks!

Actually, I did plug in an iPod shuffle for the first time the day before, but the computer recognized it without a problem and iTunes was already installed. That's all I can think of, really. 

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: neljan on March 08, 2008, 05:11:24 AM

Any indication of a problem within device manager?

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: flippingcricket on March 08, 2008, 10:52:03 AM

No, nothing as far as I can tell. In device manager it shows all the ports like normal.

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: Aegis on March 08, 2008, 04:48:45 PM

 Does the IPod work now?  I expect you'll say "no" but I'm just wondering...

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: neljan on March 08, 2008, 05:09:02 PM

Try here (http://www.usbman.com/Troubleshooter%20General.htm)

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: flippingcricket on March 08, 2008, 06:05:32 PM

Well, looks like someone took the computer to the doctor or something. I'll see if I can find out what was wrong with it when it gets back and update you all.

Oh, and the iPod works fine. Well, until the charge runs out that is.  :-X

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: macdad- on March 08, 2008, 06:39:02 PM

cricket this is a possible answer(i may be wrong) but have u recently gotten a virus? if so then there may be an answer(2 actually)

1. if u got a virus. it may have deleted the sys files for ur USB ports.

2. if u got a virus. the virus maybe blocking port transfer(meaning it won't let data goto to or from the USB Device to ur comp) some viruses have been known to do that.

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: flippingcricket on March 13, 2008, 06:32:46 PM

Right, so we got it back today and...there was nothing wrong with it. The IT guy ran diagnostics, etc and couldn't find anything--it worked perfectly for him. It's still working alright now. Weird as *censored*.

Thanks for the advice, you guys.

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: patio on March 13, 2008, 07:12:03 PM

Gremlins....

Title: Re: USB ports suddenly stopped working.
Post by: tjm on March 13, 2008, 07:23:53 PM

Had your computer gone into standby or hibernation right before that?