USB not working XP SP2

[johnrobert]

Desktop rear 4 usb ports not working, I have a pci usb card that’s works but not the ones on the motherboard, all I did was a defragment
The last time this happened I did an XP repair to resolve problem, Just wondering if there an easier fix

 

[johnrobert]

Fixed

This computer was freezing up so I went into the bios and loaded fail safe to and narrow down the problem
This disabled the USB

 

[Mr.Mike]

How's that again?

Fixed

This computer was freezing up so I went into the bios and loaded fail safe to and narrow down the problem
This disabled the USB

So you did something in the BIOS and loaded fail safe and it (fail safe) disabled the USBs? Please explain.

 

[johnrobert]

I guess fail safe loads minimum devices, no usb
I loaded optimized setting and usb was back

 

[DCGPX]

I guess fail safe loads minimum devices, no usb
I loaded optimized setting and usb was back

Some BIOSs disable USB motherboard headers if you load defaults, can be annoying to find till you realise whats happened.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Glad you figured it out because I naturally assumed the usb device was working before xp booted as that should have been the first thing you tested.

 

[johnrobert]

It was very embarrassing to deliver it on site and not have usb keyboard and mouse work
I used non usb mouse and keyboard at home
Much rather have a software problem than hardware

 

[Mr.Mike]

It was very embarrassing to deliver it on site and not have usb keyboard and mouse work
I used non usb mouse and keyboard at home
Much rather have a software problem than hardware

You're not the only one to have delivered a "not quite" fixed computer to a client.

Inactive USB ports can be a pain and it is usually XP I'm working with when there's trouble.

If I remember correctly, other TN members have gone into device manager and actually uninstalled USB controllers, then fired the computer back up and the ports started working again. I haven't had a chance to try this yet but will if I run into this problem again.

Cheers.

 

[DCGPX]

If I remember correctly, other TN members have gone into device manager and actually uninstalled USB controllers, then fired the computer back up and the ports started working again. I haven't had a chance to try this yet but will if I run into this problem again.

Cheers.

Done this a few times, you dont have to reboot just rescan for devices and it picks them back up.

I've had it solve strange USB device issues by doing this

 

[Mr.Mike]

Done this a few times, you dont have to reboot just rescan for devices and it picks them back up.

I've had it solve strange USB device issues by doing this

Thanks for that confirmation on that DCGPX. It will come in handy the next time I get another machine with "dead" USB ports.

 

[johnrobert]

If it wasn’t for a usb card installed I would have known right away, nothing would have shown in device manager since turned off in bios

 

[Mr.Mike]

If it wasn’t for a usb card installed I would have known right away, nothing would have shown in device manager since turned off in bios

Ah. Now that we have that info., how many ports do you have? Just the two on the card or some more on the MOBO as well? When and if you turn them back on in the bios, check that the drivers are good and maybe re-seat the card in a different slot if you haven't done this already to see if those work. If they still don't work, try a repair console for XP. Still no good? I would look to the MOBO and start checking that. I would even consider flashing the bios if you see nothing specifically wrong with the MOBO.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I found this USB tester while I was reviewing PassMark testing software. Kinda pricey, but would probably address your USB issue.