Hi everyone,

Before I start with my stupidly driving me insane problem...I am a computer novice so if you do reply....remember basic step by step.....sorry lol.
I have Acer Travelmate 8000 given to me by a friend, so I have no recover discs or anything.

Right here goes......This system has 4 USB ports, all of which are in my device manager all of which ae showing no problems, I have uninstalled them all rebooted and they have automatically reinstalled again with them stating there is no problem.
Now the problem has only just started. I use a Blackberry Storm a Philips Go Gear MP3 and a Samsung camera, all of which have worked fine.

Over the xmas period I took pictures and went to put them on my computer but it seemed that the computer doesnt recognise the camera is attached, even though it still charges and the light comes on to say that power is going to it same with the MP3, not tried the Blackberry as not need to.
I have searched the internet till I am blue in the face look for a solution but to no avail.......I picked this site to register as you guys seem the friendliest!!!

Oh also I have looked at my BIOS and I cant seem to find any USB stuff in there or maybe Im looking in the wrong place(when computer turns on F2)

Any help would be grratfully received.

Thanks
Charlie xx

Welcome here to the D-A-L Forum Charlie,

If you are a novice as you say, you are an advanced one, your post was well written but would you give us more information on your system so we can assist you. Please read the link in my signature to do so.

Here is a small utility that is self explanatory that may help.

Description
USBDeview is a small utility that lists all USB devices that currently connected to your computer, as well as all USB devices that you previously used.
For each USB device, extended information is displayed: Device name/description, device type, serial number (for mass storage devices), the date/time that device was added, VendorID, ProductID, and more...
USBDeview also allows you to uninstall USB devices that you previously used, and disconnect USB devices that are currently connected to your computer.
You can also use USBDeview on a remote computer, as long as you login to that computer with admin user.

I am going to assume you have Windows XP hence the link below.

Advanced Troubleshooting tips for USB problems in Windows XP

The above link is from here for your information.

Please post back if you need more assistance and again we are glad you chose D-A-L.

best regards,

Hi there,

Thank you so much for the reply, I am very novice the reason for the detailed post was because I have read hundreds of threads about USB's not working and noted what the response was to those questions.

I also looked at the links you posted and I have no idea what you would like me to do with them...lol.......Do I have to pay for them??
Thanks

Charlie

I think if you have a chum/friend that does have more computer knowledge than you do it would be a good idea to ask them to sit with you to research the FREE sites I have posted in my last post.

This forum is a totally free technical and Malware removal forum so the answer is NO you not pay as we are volunteers that give of our time to assist you and other with problems on their computers.

The small utility is this one I want you to download and run after reading all it has to offer. Again I recommend you seek help from a friend to be at your side to follow the reply posts here on the forum.

The troubleshooting link is for you to click on and research if your issue shows there and subsequently how to fix it if the utility I gave you to download does not do the job for you.

Please post back if you need more assistance.

best regards,

Hey there

I havent got a friend to sit next to me to guide me....if I did I would be asking them to fix my computer.
I downloaded the Utlity you told me to dont know what it does but I did it and I also download the small utility to again not knowing wha they actually do, but I do appreciate you trying to help.

Thanks
charlie c

I downloaded the Utility you told me to don't know what it does but I did it

The small utility's purpose is written in detail in my first post in quotes.

Did you follow the Troubleshooting link in my first post? Scroll down right at the bottom and carry out what is suggested there as in quotes:

Remove and reinstall all USB controllers

To remove and reinstall all USB controllers, follow these steps:

• Click Start, click Run, type system.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Click the Hardware tab.
• Click the Device Manager button.
• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
• Right-click every device under the Universal Serial Bus controllers node, and then click Uninstall to remove them one at a time.

Restart the computer, and then reinstall the USB controllers.
After the computer restarts fully, plug in the removable USB storage device/camera or other, and then test to make sure that the issue is resolved.

As your system restarts windows will find the necessary USB controllers.

Other than my suggestions in my posts, the next best suggestion I have, if you don't feel competent to do the above, you would need to take your system to an IT shop, request a quote from them after telling them about your issue.

I am sorry I cannot assist you further.

kind regards,

Ive done that and nothing changed .thank you very kindly for trying to help.I will endeavour to take it to a shop to get it fixed

Thanks again
Charlie

One possibility.

Have you installed any new hardware on your computer? A lot of people have problems when they install a new video card that takes more power. This reduces the power available for the USB ports and causes them to fail in strange ways, including not working at all.

If you have installed new hardware around the time this started happening then try removing it to see if that helps. If yes, then you need to upgrade your power supply.

Do you have a XP install CD? If so, doing a Repair Install is always an option.

First though, try the following. It's a little different from what Tallin had you do. Read through it and post back with any questions.

Follow directions in this MS article, see if that helps: Advanced troubleshooting tips for general USB problems in Windows XP

If not, before continuing which will make changes to the registry, please back it up. An excellent way to do this is to install ERUNT. Let it add an entry to your Start menu during the install process. That will allow ERUNT to backup your registry each time you boot. It only takes a few seconds and has no real impact on boot time. Run ERUNT immediately after installing it to create a full registry backup.

Then if something is deleted that shouldn't have been, simply go to the C:\Windows\erdnt folder and pick the erdnt.exe wanted to restore the registry to it's state when it was backed up. This can even be done from the Recovery Console if needed

Once that is done, try this:

• Shutdown and unplug all USB devices, except USB mouse or keyboard.
• Boot to BIOS Setup and load defaults (F5 or F9 usually).
• Boot XP and create a new Environment variable called devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices and set it's value to 1 as follows:
  • Right click on My Computer and select Properties
  • Click on the Advanced tab
  • Click on the Environmental Variables button
  • Click the New button under the User variables for xxxxx" area.
  • Set the Variable name as: devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices
  • Set the Variable value to: 1
  • Click OK as needed to close all the windows you opened.
• Open Device Manager (Control Panel, System, Hardware tab, Device Manager)
• Click on View then Show hidden devices.
• Scroll down to USB and click on the plus to expand it.
• Uninstall the non-present USB devices (associated icon is dimmed) one at a time.
  DO NOT uninstall your mouse if you are using a USB mouse.
• Shutdown and reboot, let XP rediscover everything and load necessary drivers. This can take a few minutes, be patient.

Now try the USB device, see what happens.

Hi Ztruker,

I did give this link to Charliekins in my first post.

I am going to assume you have Windows XP hence the link below.

Advanced Troubleshooting tips for USB problems in Windows XP

The above link is from here for your information.

My advice in my last post was because Charliekins said they were beginners.

Thanks for helping,

best regards,

Hi guys I thank you for trying to help when I get home I will try and do what Ztruker has advised as I have exhausted all other route, but thank you Tallin for your help!

My other concern is that when I look in the BIOS stuff.....my USBS arent listed there, when I have looked around at problem solving for my problem alot of people where told to check that there USB's are enabled in BIOS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still very stressed and confused...lol