Resolved USB ports have stopped working

I really hope someone can help me.

As the title says, my USB ports (3) have all stopped working on my Windows 7 laptop.

I have searched Microsoft's site and found a KB that related to this. I followed all the steps, ie uninstalled all USB's in Device Manager and rebooted laptop. The USB's re-installed on boot up but it made no difference, when I plug a flash drive in, nothing happens. I check every time in explorer and the drive(s) just don't show up. Also every time I look in device manager and right click on any of the USB ports, Windows reports that it is working correctly.

I have tried multiple times to install SP3 but always get error messages and I am unsure if that has a bearing on my problem.

- I got so desperate to update my TomTom (USB) I booted up my old XP laptop, but now that won't connect to the Internet as its IP address is wrong (seems like everything I touch at the moment seems to have a problem) (except this iPad) (touch wood).

Yours hopefully (tearing my hair out)

 

Hi Howattee, What SP3 Service Pack are you trying to install on W7?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/windows/service-packs-download#sptabs=win7

Have you had a look in BIOS to see if USB is enabled? Neil.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-nz/windows-vista/tips-for-solving-problems-with-usb-devices
Mr Fixit may help.

 

Thanks for your reply 'retiredlearner',

The SP3 is in my automatic updates - I shall investigate further with your link and get back to you on this.

Do you know I never thought to check my Bios (I have never changed anything on this laptop to need to go into it), so I'll do it and reply shortly.

Thanks

 

Are you sure the SP3 is for W7 OS or is it for MS Office?

Wndows 8 is already up for grabs, Windows 8.1 is just around the corner, and Microsoft is said to be working on Windows 9 already.With all eyes on the so-called “modern” version of Windows, what’s going to happen with Windows 7, which is currently the world’s number one operating system?
It turns out that Microsoft has no plans to release a second service pack for Windows 7 and the company is planning to let it die when the time comes, as it wants all users to migrate to its modern platform.
This morning Redmond released a new patch for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 that helps clean up Windows Update files, thus freeing up space on the local drives. While this is indeed a great option for all Windows 7 users, it’s actually another indication that Microsoft has no intention to release a second service pack for its most used OS.
The idea behind this tool is pretty simple. Every time Microsoft releases a service pack, it also gives users the option to start a cleanup supposed to remove Windows Update files, some of which are included in the service.
The company has now decided to make the option available separately and this could be a sign that no other service pack might be coming.
Here’s what Microsoft was saying in today’s announcement:
“Service pack 1 released well over 2 years ago, and there has not been another service pack since. Think about all those files updated by security updates and hotfixes? Up until today, we have not had the ability to cleanup these files.”
Microsoft has never commented on the possibility to release a second service pack for Windows 7 users, but with so many new Windows versions hitting the shelves, it’s pretty clear that the company has abandoned this concept. Instead, it goes for rapid releases, as outgoing CEO said so many times, so large updates and new Windows editions are expected to come at least annually
This is a dated write up but it does state there is only ONE SP for W7.
I hope you're not trying to install XP SP3 on your W7. Neil.

 

Ok.

Steve R. jones: I have tried multiple devices, ie. different flash drives, external HDD, TomTom sat nav, printer - none of them work.

 

RetiredLearner:

Neil, no I am not trying to update Win XP SP3 on my Win 7 laptop, I may have got my versions mixed up as I wrote my posts on my iPad and my laptop was in another room (in the doghouse actually)!

The sp that didn't update was on auto updates, so assuming that Microsoft wouldn't mix up their op.systems which use auto update......

Ok I am now checking my laptop update history and Yes, you are right, it is SP1 which keeps on failing to install.

Now I'll reboot and check the bios, watch this space

 

RetiredLearner:

Hi Neil,

I have now accessed the BIOS and it says "Legacy USB support" Enabled.

There is a further setting: USB S3 wake-up: is set to Disabled.

 

(Quote) USB S3 wake-up: is set to Disabled

That refers to the ability of a USB keyboard or mouse to wake the computer from S3 standby.

S3 is called "Save to RAM" and the S3 state maintains power to RAM when the computer is on standby. If you are using power management, and the screen comes back on when you hit a key or move the mouse, you probably don't have to worry about this setting.

However, while you are trying to get your USB ports to work, you might go through your power configuration settings and change them to "always on ".

Your computer may be shutting down the USB ports to save power.

The following article discusses a specific USB power management issue with Windows 7:

Fix the USB root hub power management issue in Windows 7

If you still have the problem, this may be worth a try.

 

Hi Antik,

Yes I do still have this problem, so the very next thing I shall do is change that setting to "always on" as you suggest.

Let's see what happens.

 

Dear Antik,
Ok, I have changed the Bios setting and I've changed the power options and it has NOT made a bit of difference.

I've remembered another clue, not sure if it's relevant, but I have a SD card reader slot, which also just stopped working a while ago. It didn't bother me as I have a multi card reader which plugs in via a USB.

 

What kinds of scans for malware have you done recently?

 

Hi Howattee, Could you please go Start > Control Panel > System > and see if under Windows Edition it states your OS and whether SP1 is installed? Thanks Neil.

 

I've been running avg which doesn't report any problems. Any suggestions for a better one?

 

Hi Neil,

It says it's "Windows 7 Home Premium ".

 

Hi Howatee, thank you for answering my question.

You could add the free edition of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware along with AVG. Following is a direct link to the download:

Download Malwarebytes
Anti-Malware Free

Read about it by choosing the "For Home" tab.

If you decide to try it, be sure to uncheck the Premium Edition Trial during installation. The choice will come toward the end of the process.

The free edition does not have an active component, so will not interfere with AVG. Just manually initiate a threat scan once in a while, or if you are suspicious. The program will update the signatures before beginning the scan.

My question was aimed at the issue of whether you have Microsoft updates that refuse to install, in the presence of several other problems. I would be concerned about that, and retiredlearner seems to be going in that direction.

I do agree with Steve R Jones, because although you have already reinstalled your USB device drivers, the USB host controller is usually part of the chipset drivers for the motherboard. See if there are updated drivers on the manufacturer website for your laptop.

Good luck to you in finding a solution to your problems.

 

Thanks for the suggestion Steve and Antik, very much appreciated.

I tried booting into safe mode and tested the USB's but they didn't work then either!

I'll hunt around Samsung's website and see what I can find.

 

You missed the point. Here's what I see on mine:
Windows Edition
Windows 7 professional
Copyright @ 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Service Pack 1
If you have the above message - DON'T try and install what is in your Updates.

Start > Control Panel > Device Manager > USB Serial Bus Controllers > + (expand) > do you see any entries Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller?
USB's seem to need that to operate properly. Neil.