What model PC and version of windows, please? Did USB ever work?


Ron

You can try the generic fix for USB. Unplug all USB devices except mouse and keyboard, if you have those. Open Device Manager and expand list under USB. Right-click each USB item, one at a time, and select uninstall. Work your way up the list until all USB items are removed.

If you use a USB mouse, you may have to press alt-FX to close Device Manager and then use Task Manager (ctrl-alt-del) to reboot the system. In the Task Manager window, press alt-u and use arrow keys to select Restart. After rebooting, check to see that USB ports have been reinstalled. If your model has USB2 ports, at least 1 USB item should say "enhanced".

Test your devices again.

Ron

No iam afraid this did not work. A PCshop says i might have to reinstall windows? i do not have the disk , is there any other way of reinstalling my usb`s

Did you check Device Manager to see that USB actually got reinstalled?

Why don't you have the XP CD? If Dell didn't provide it when you purchased the system, you may be able to get them to send one, but it will depend on how old the system is. Otherwise, you'll have to buy the OS CD. Just be careful about buying OEM XP CDs off the net because they may be fake or the activation codes may not work. Buy from a reputable source.

Have you tried doing a System Restore to a date when you know USB was working? Click start>help&support
Click "undo changes..."
Follow the prompts and pick a date when you know USB worked. You will have to reinstall any XP updates/hotfixes and other software that was installed after the date selected for the PC Restore.

If that doesn't do it, you could try running a system file check. Problem is, if it can't find what it needs on the hard drive, it will ask you to insert the XP CD which you don't have.

click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
click ok

sfc will replace any damaged/missing XP system files. Let's hope it finds what it needs in the backup folder on the HD and doesn't ask for the CD.

If that doesn't work and your system was shipped after July-15-2004, you should have the Dell/Symantec PC Restore on the hard drive. It will restore the system to exactly the way Dell shipped it. Back up your personal files to CD first. Then reboot and press ctrl-F11 before XP boots. Follow the prompts. You'll have to reinstall all the XP updates/hotfixes, any updated drivers and any software you added to the system.

Ron

My problem now still with my usb ports is thet they work only with items installed before system restore .

Any new install usb will not work even a external usb hub . I get add new hardware box come up,

any ideas.

My sestem restore will only go back to 01/01/06 is there any other way of going back 6 months or so now, i have the restore disk

Cheers

Jeff

If the earliest date on the System Restore calendar is 01/01/06, that's the earliest restore you can do. Not sure what you mean by "restore disk"? Dell doesn't supply a restore disk. They supply a full XP installation disk.

If I understand correctly, you can run USB devices that were originally installed before 01/01/06, but no new ones will work. Does Device Manager indicate any problems with USB (either a ? or ! next to any USB listing?)

You could try a system file check:
click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
click ok

sfc will replace any missing/damaged XP system files. Insert XP CD if sfc prompts for it. If that doesn't do it. you have several options:

Repair/Reinstall which won't damage personal files or any software you added, but you will have to reinstall all XP updates.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1056993&l=en&langid=1&c=us&cs=19&s=dhs

PC Restore: If your system was shipped after july-14-04, you should have the PC Restore partition on the HD. It resets the system to exactly the way Dell shipped it. You have to back up personal files first, and reinstall all XP updates and any software you added. Press ctrl-F11 before XP loads to start PC Restore.

Reformat/Reinstall: Reformat HD and start over; load XP, chipset driver, video driver, audio driver, all other drivers (in that order), then install software and all XP updates. Back up personal files before you start.


Good luck!

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 01-14-2006 12:11 PM