Mend > Computer Hardware

My USB ports have stopped working, how can i fix this?

Hi there.
My problem is that all my USB ports(4 of them)have stopped working. They were all working perfectly two days ago. I have checked on device manager and that recognises the following under the USB tab:

ATI I/O Communications Processor USB 1.1 OHCI controller
ATI I/O Communications Processor USB 1.1 OHCI controller
ATI I/O Communications Processor USB 2.0 OHCI controller
Unknown Device
Unknown Device
Unknown Device
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

I dont know if thats normal, but i only have four USB ports and its recognised 9. Confused...

Currently i have my mouse and hard drive connected to two of the ports. I tested them on another computer and they both work fine. They are both acknowledged on the computer aswell as the sound plays when they connect, they both light up so are getting power from the ports and a message appears stating 'USB Device not Recognised'

I don't know if this is an issue or not, il let you decide, but i did connect my laptop to the house HD televison to watch some films i have. I mention this only because i read online something about the data transferred being too much for the usb ports to handle. As i say i dont know if its relevant.

I have tried uninstalling the usb ports and letting windows reinstall them, however it has made no difference. I was going to restore to a previous 'restore point' however it appears that i dont have any saved prior to the malfunction which is a bit annoying.

Apologies for the long winded essay, thanks very much for your help.

Dan
June 2011

Computers, Computer Hardware Stopped Working Days Ago

When does the message 'USB Device not Recognised' appears?

Before or after Windows start loading?

If it's in text mode as you boot the computer, you need to check your BIOS settings. Follows the onscreen prompts to enter BIOS settings and double check the properties of the USB ports.

If it's a Windows message box, you don't need to power off. ALL USB devices are hot plug/unplug safe.

Just unplug all USB devices and wait about 1 or 2 minutes. This is to allows Windows time to refresh it's USB pooling and notice that there are no devices plugged in.

Plug back the devices in a DIFFERENT port that the one they where previously connected.

Your keyborad and mice are just fine if connected to the USB 1.1 ports. Keep the USB 2 ports for high bandwidth devices, like external drives.

Electro
June 2011

switch off pc,disconnect all devices at usb's,switch on pc,reconnect,one at a time all devices until one gives you an error...suspect its a device,not the usb ports.

d
June 2011