Puzzling computer problem: USB unknown devices

[teach1st]

Windows XP Home SP1, Intel 4 2.00Ghz, 512 MB Ram

Out of the blue as far as I can see, my computer really messed up. The main problem is that my three USB devices (a cannon scanner and camera, and a cable modem) won't work - device manager tells me that they are unknown advices. I've tried each USB port. Stranger still, my USB MS Intellimouse is USB, and it works in every port. The cable modem works on my dicey network card. I used the camera on another computer a few hours ago with not problems.

In addition, other PCI devices are giving me trouble. The standard floppy disk controller and my HSP56 soft modem each give me this error: This device cannot start. (Code 10). I've tried uninstalling and then reinstalling both, but it doesn't help.

On startup, I get an FDC Failure notice, which I assume is related to the floppy disk controller. I don't get the FDC notice when I disable the floppy in BIOS.

I've tried a few registery restores and system restores to a time when all was working, but the problems remained.

Is this a hardware failure? Will reinstalling XP help?

Thanks!

[Florida_Geek]

1. Sounds like a motherboard problem

sad to say.

When it went beyond the USB.

[teach1st]

2. Yuck..

Thanks! That's what I feared.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

3. I agree...

maybe time to update your BIOS and MB's USB drivers. That is, if you haven't done this recently. That may be all thats needed.

[trotsky]

4. You might want to check BIOS settings.

Perhaps your motherboard battery is flaky, and you're not retaining settings from one boot to another.

In your BIOS (usually you get into it by pressing F1 or DEL when the computer is first turned on) check for things like "Legacy USB support" and "PCI Plug-and-Play". Toggle them, one at a time. (If Legacy USB Support is On, turn it Off, reboot, and see if it helps, etc.)

[teach1st]

5. Thanks, I tried that.

Everything looked correct. I tried toggling legacy USB on and then off with no effect.

[trotsky]

7. Hey, you know your troubleshooting!

I am very inclined now to go with what others have been saying - your motherboard may be giving up the ghost. Especially if this came on suddenly without any change in hardware or software.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. Delete them and reinstall

Right-click on the items from within Device Manager and delete them. Reboot your computer and see if it sees them. If it does, it will then ask for driver disks. If you can reinstall them then it is a software thing. If it doesn't see them or if the driver install fails on more than one device, it's a motherboard thing (or a major system software failure).

From what you describe, I think your mobo is melting down. :nuke:

Of course, I could be wrong...

[teach1st]

8. Didn't work....tried it a few times

Definitely looking like a motherboard screw up.