USB problem: External drives no longer accessible?

OK missa85 maybe if you are game enough.
Try starting with Method 1 first just follow the instructions.

USB device is not recognized when you attach it immediately after your Windows XP-based computer resumes from standby or hibernation

If you do not get any results, then I think it might be a good idea to find out if your problem is Hardware or Software related.
If you have one, or can get hold of one or download one, try using a 'Live' Linux CD to determine whether the problems are hardware or operating system related, i.e. if your USB ports work in Linux, then it isn't a hardware problem.
One other thing you probably should do first is check in your BIOS that USB legacy support is Enabled.

This Link is worth reading just to get more understanding about USB (Unreliable Serial Bus)

Tips for USB pen drives
hawk22

 

Hi. Just a thought, have you tried uninstalling the usb drives from within Device Manager and restarting the Pc, windows should then reinstall them, don't uninstall the usb for the keyboard,might sovle your portable HDD, but your card reader will be connected via USB header.

 

Missa85, I haven't seen this suggestion in the posts thus far:

If you haven't already done so, take your usb drive & memory card and try them on another computer. I don't know if they were attached when the kids were messing with your computer or not. Either way, it's worth trying another computer to make sure the problem isn't in the drive and card....

John.

 

DAV532000, Post #10 answered your question.

missa85, can you try this for me: click > Start > Run > type diskmgmt.msc > OK > see if the Removable Storage is shown. Close.

Click > Start > Run > type services.msc > OK > scroll down to Removable storage service > Right click on Removable storage service and a page will drop down > click on Start > Close out.
Let's know what you get. Neil.