USB port problem

I'm having a problem with my USB Ports. When I try to install a new
printer it recognizes that something is hooked up but it comes up as an
"Unknown Device". So when I try to install the printer software it says
that no printer is hooked up. This wasn't a problem 6 months ago when I
had a webcam connected through my USB. Then the camera stopped working.
When the reinstall of the camera failed I figured it was just the cam.
Now I'm conviced it's the actual USB ports on my computer.

Is there something that I can download or fix on my own, or is this
something that I'll need to pay to get fixed? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Melissa

Have you by any chance been using Norton software??

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"mjpinvt" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm having a problem with my USB Ports. When I try to install a new
printer it recognizes that something is hooked up but it comes up as an
"Unknown Device". So when I try to install the printer software it says
that no printer is hooked up. This wasn't a problem 6 months ago when I
had a webcam connected through my USB. Then the camera stopped working.
When the reinstall of the camera failed I figured it was just the cam.
Now I'm conviced it's the actual USB ports on my computer.

Is there something that I can download or fix on my own, or is this
something that I'll need to pay to get fixed? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Melissa

Not since this has been happening. A LONG time ago I had Norton, but
I've sice gotten rid of it and my devices worked fine at that time.

I realized it only started causing me trouble since I moved my computer
to a different spot in the house. When I reconnected everything at that
time I did not reconnect the external USB hub that I had used before
because I no longer had the devices I needed it for. It was about a
month after this that the Camera stopped working. Don't know if that is
some helpful information or not.

Hmmmm - this may still be worth trying.....

You may have up to 32,000 empty OEM*.INF files sitting in your
c:\Windows\INF folder, which prevents any program putting a legitimate *.INF
file in there (it also slow your system down to stop, trying to read them
and sort the [non-existent] contents!).
You need to DELETE all 0byte (and ONLY the 0byte) OEM*.INF files.
look here for information on how to do that , and how to prevent it
happening again (i.e. TURN OFF NORTON SYSTEM DOCTOR - unless you are
actively troubleshooting something)

The Symantec site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...122464806?Open

also
"Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or
Adding New Hardware"
(http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q281967)
also
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q301540
(which contains the fix for your problem in the NOTE under the patch
description)
Phone your Local MS office, and tell them your problem quoting Q301540 -
they'll either send you the patch, or give you a one-use password, for the
cost of the call.

Good Luck


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"mjpinvt" wrote in message
oups.com...
Not since this has been happening. A LONG time ago I had Norton, but
I've sice gotten rid of it and my devices worked fine at that time.

I realized it only started causing me trouble since I moved my computer
to a different spot in the house. When I reconnected everything at that
time I did not reconnect the external USB hub that I had used before
because I no longer had the devices I needed it for. It was about a
month after this that the Camera stopped working. Don't know if that is
some helpful information or not.

I would try borrowing a self-powered USB hub (one that plugs into the wall
and the PC) to see if your problem is low-powered USB ports.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"mjpinvt" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm having a problem with my USB Ports. When I try to install a new
printer it recognizes that something is hooked up but it comes up as an
"Unknown Device". So when I try to install the printer software it says
that no printer is hooked up. This wasn't a problem 6 months ago when I
had a webcam connected through my USB. Then the camera stopped working.
When the reinstall of the camera failed I figured it was just the cam.
Now I'm conviced it's the actual USB ports on my computer.

Is there something that I can download or fix on my own, or is this
something that I'll need to pay to get fixed? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Melissa