Loss of some USB2 outlets

Following a nuimber of MS updates, I seem to have lost some of my USB2 ports. The rear-cabinet hook up to which my printer is connected is still working, but the rear-panel socket that I had my web-cam plugged into doesn't recognize it any more.

In addition, the front-panel socket I use for my digital camera downloads isn't working any more. It senses that a device has been plugged in, but then I get an error meeage that the USB device is not recognized and will probably not function correctly. Shortly thereafter, the camera reports a failure to communicate.

Ideas on how to troubleshoot this problem would be appreciated.

My machine is an eMachines T3256 with 512K RAM (which I'll be upgrading to 2M shorlty), running WinXP SP3. The camera is a Fuji, and it has worked without any hassles until very recently.

 

if the ports are not directly intergrated into the motherboard you may find that going through and checking the USB connections that are wired are seated firmly in their sockets and maybe giving the inside of the PC a dust down may help

also if all else fails maybe uninstalling the latest updates to windows until the ports start to work again, however if this does not solve the proble and no one elses attempts help, it maybe that the USB controllers on the motherboard are dying (depending on how old the computer is)

Reguards T.

 

Have you tried a System Restore to a time before the MS updates? Neil.

 

Before I would do a system restore, I would go to Add/Remove programs and remove those updates 1 at a time till you find the one that did it if that is what actually did it. Then you can reinstall the others that didn't affect it.

 

Another thought.

The updates might’ve interfered with the Web and Digital camera software.
Uninstall the camera software.
Then reinstall them preferably with the latest software from the manufactures site.

 

Unfortunately, SystemRestore is having a hissy fit and won't restore anything more than 2 days old.

I have uninstalled ad reinstalled both the Fuji software and the Logitech camera software, but to no avail. When I first installed these devices, Windows recognized them both and downloaded the drivers. Now they both show up as unrecognized peripherals.

I know USB is still working because my printer uses it. I'm reluctant to disconnect he printer for fear of not being able to get it back.

Hardware info doesn't give any information on the USB system, other than that there is one. I'm at a loss to explain this one. Both the second rear panel USB and the front panel connector exhibit the problem.

What kind of failure could wipe out the secondary and tertiary USB ports, but leave the primary one running?