I suspect you didn't disconnect all the USB peripheral devices from the PC before you uninstalled USB in Device Manager. When you rebooted, XP reinstalled USB and detected all these 'strange' devices so it set them up the way it thought it should.

Try doing a System Restore to a date right before you did all this. See if that resets all the drives, devices, and software to the way they were. If the player still isn't recognized, unplug all USB devices from the PC (except keyboard and mouse, if you have those) and do the uninstall that Dell suggested again.

Which version of BIOS do you have on the 8400? There have been several BIOS updates that affected USB on the 8400.

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 01-09-2006 12:40 PM

Thanks for your reply.  The first time I did this procedure I did have my dsl modem and the printer connected, but I have done it twice since then without anything connected except my mouse (once in safe mode).  Nothing changed.  I'm afraid to use system restore at this point because I think it's been about 2 weeks since I started all this.  My BIOS version is A05.  I've been told that updating the bios can be disastrous if something goes wrong, so I have hesitated to do this.  Do you really think this will help?

Janice

You shouldn't be afraid of a System Restore, even if the date is 2 wks ago. The only thing that will have to be redone after the Restore, aside from the printer installation, is reinstallation of any XP updates/hotfixes issued after that date. None of your personal files will be damaged, but you should back up to CD to be safe if you're concerned.

The first time you did all this with the printer connected, the (wrong) changes to the Registry were make, and just uninstalling/reinstalling over and over will not undo what's been done. Unless you're prepared to edit the Registry manually, which I don't recommend, the simplest way to get a clean slate is to do the System Restore.

If your system is under warranty, I wouldn't hesitate to do all the BIOS updates that come along. If something goes amiss, Dell will replace the motherboard under the warranty. Bios A06 and A07 had changes that affected USB. Bios A08 is the latest and should have all the changes from the earlier versions.

It's generally unlikely that something goes wrong during the update. Of course, if the power goes out in the middle, that's a problem. Can I guarantee nothing will go wrong -No. That said, I've done every update since my system was delivered with A01 and it's now out of warranty. If you do choose to update, once it starts, just don't touch the keyboard or mouse until it's done and you're back at the desktop. And obviously don't do it when there's thunder/lightening storms in the neighborhood.

Also, there was a new release of Dell's Desktop System Software in Nov-05 that made some USB changes too. So you may want to download and install that too.

Ron

Thanks Ron for your help.  I tried the system restore but it would not work.  It was the earliest one that showed up.  I don't know what was wrong, but I decided not to try to go this route anyway.  I did find a work around...I am using a self-powered hub that I had used on my old computer and everything works fine with it.  I downloaded the BIOS update and installed it without any problems, but that did not solve my usb problems.  I think I will probably do a  format and reload Windows and everything after I make sure my backups are up-to-date.  Next time I'll know a lot of things not to do. 

Thanks again,

Janice

Janice,
You're welcome. Glad you got things cleared up. If everything works ok now just by using powered USB hub, it's likely your USB devices wert just drawing too much power from the PC. It's not uncommon that USB device isn't recognized when power demand is too high.

Do you mean System Restore didn't solve the problem or it refused to work? If it refused to work, the Restore database is corrupted. Turn off System Restore and reboot. That will delete the corrupted file. After rebooting, turn System Restore back on and manually set new Restore point. Then use new Restore point to restore the PC so you know it works again. And unless some other issues arise, why bother with reformat/reinstall at this point?

If your system was shipped after july 15-2004, you have Dell/Symantec PC Restore partition on the hard drive. Back up your personal files to CD. Then reboot and press ctrl-F11 before XP starts to load. Follow the prompts and PC Restore will reset system to exactly the way Dell shipped it. Install all XP updates and hotfixes, your personal files and any other software you need. Fast way to get back in business without messing with reformatting...

Good luck!
Ron