Please help! I have a IBM PC running Windows 2000 Professional. The computer has 4 USB ports, 2 in the back and 2 in the front behind a small panel (along with a parallel port in the back). The device manager does not list the USB ports (it lists two ports: a communications port {COM1} and a printer port {LPT1}). I have been trying to attach a Brother MFC8500 printer/fax/scanner to the computer using a 10' A-B USB cable. For whatever reason, the computer does not recognize the USB ports and does not direct the Brother software installation program to the USB driver installation screen like it is supposed to. I am assuming the problem is with the computer: it does not seem to recognize the ports. What do I do? Thanks for any help!

Sounds like the USB ports are disabled in the BIOS for some reason. Read my 'Member's PC Help Article' about how to get into the BIOS. Have a look around the BIOS for an option to enable the USB ports. Save and Exit the BIOS. It will reboot and Windows 2000 will start up and load the drivers for the USB ports.

Let us know if that sorts it out

Thanks. I looked around the BIOS and I finally found an ENABLE/DISABLE USB PORT option at the bottom of one of the screens. After resetting it to enable, it works fine and the printer is attached and working. Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it!

No problem - glad we could help


This thread is now closed as the issue is resolved.