Can I fix this pc problem myself...???

Question

Ive just tried to install a webcam and a message came up saying that it couldn't detect a working USB port.
A few weeks ago I tried to set up a Bluetooth connection between my pc and mobile but the dongle wasn't working, I thought it was broken and have ordered a new one but it was obviously that the USB ports on the back of my computer aren't working.
Does it have to be repaired by a pro or is there something I can do myself?

Thankyou.

Answer 1

it could be as simple as the drivers for the ports have been corrupted and so they appear not to work, try finding the driver disc for the system board or the addon board. re-install the drivers, restart your computer and try again.
if that fails i'd suggest you see if the system bios has the USB ports disabled. If so enable the USB ports and try again.

for best results and to save time it may be better to re-install the drivers, then restart the system, during boot get in to your computers bios, all systems vary on the code to get in, however it is normally displayed on screen a second or two after the system is started. press the key code listed and browse for your USB ports (sorry not knowing your system, make, model and bios chip set nothing more i can suggest).
ok follow the instructions to change a setting and save to cmos and restart/ reboot the system.
once done the system should either have the USB ports reactivated or your system will say found new hardware installing drivers.
now wait for the process to finish then plug in a usb device to see if the ports are working. if so great job done, if not you need to take the system to a professional technician or contact the system board manufacturer directly for advice.

good luck

Remeber though if you take this to a take to try the solutions listed you could be charged £50 and upwards. so try to solve the problem yourself before calling in a technician.

Answer 2

There might be a number of things wrong other than the ports themselves. If the ports aren't working and this is a desktop machine it might be a loose cable so opening things up and having a poke may solve the issue. If they are directly on the motherboard then it is really very unlikely to be a problem with the USB ports. It may be that you hadn't installed the drivers or that you have a hub between the PC and the device that is faulty. Many older USB hubs will not work with USB2.0 devices. It is also possibel that the USB device is not backwardly compatible with USB1.0 and that your PC is USB1.0. Most devices are backwardly compatible even if they support USB2.0. The problem is most likely to be a software driver related problem rather than hardware. Consult the web site of the device manufacturer. You may also not have fully inserted the USB device plug or have not connected up the camera at the other end correctly if it is a camera which is on a stork that needs plugging together. Try to get support from the device manufacturer first as it is most probably their driver. If this is a corporate PC it is possible that they have deliberately disabled the USB port but that is the only real reason why a USB port wouldn't be working other than a loose physical connection.

Answer 3

You can download ccleaner for free here: http://bit.ly/1Bk5V5C

First open CCleaner
Go to the Cleaner tab and you will be confronted by a very confusing lineup of checkboxes.
To make this brief, below is my recommended setup:
Under internet explorer check temporary internet files, cookies, and last download location. Most users don't really need this stuff. keep history and bookmarks unchecked, history is a maybe, but you don't want to lose bookmarked sites. You can normally leave Windows Explorer, System, and Advanced alone.
Run CCleaner and it will start deleting files.
afterward it will present you with a list of the files deleted, you really don't need to go through it as it will be several pages long.
The registry cleaner is recommended for slightly more advanced users. Use it after uninstalling programs as they will often leave behind incorrect registry entries.
If you decide to run Registry cleaner then review the items detected and always back up the registry (I keep a folder aside for this)
The Tools tab lets you uninstall programs and set startup programs. Why do you need this if Windows has all of these features? Especially with Vista Home Ed. The windows defender software explorer( startup programs) doesn't pick up some entries (however software explorer is easier to use).
Using CCleaner to uninstall programs and then check for leftover registry entries takes less time.
Under Options you can determine how CCleaner cleans your files. I leave this alone.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, if the usb ports are actually broken, you will probably need a new motherboard. To check the usb ports visually, turn off your computer, see if they move when you try to plug in your webcam. If they seem ok, try opening up your computer chassis & visually check the ports on the motherboard. Then, just for luck, power on your computer & see if the ports will work. Most likely you may as well get another computer if it isn't under warranty.

Answer 5

best guess is that the USB ports are not connected to your motherboard correctly. Where are they on your computer? If they are pm a baclplate near to where other cards are then this is most likely to be the answer. If they are near other connections, such as your keyboard connector, then this is unlikely to be the answer.

Another possible cause may be that you failed to install the drivers correctly, although as you seen like and intelligent woman, this won't be the answer.

Answer 6

A simple solution would be to get a PCI card that slots into a free space in your PC. It is a simple matter of taking the side off and fitting it, it really is easy (as long as you have the power off) and it would sort out all your problems.

I have installed loads in old machines or one's with defective USB ports.

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3ZRC&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=pci+usb&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

Answer 7

depends on how competant you are and how serious the problem is.

if you feel confident then try the following:

start menu >> settings >> control panel.
Double click the "system" icon
find the "hardware" tab and click the box labelled device manager
scroll down the list and unfold the root tree for the Universal serial bus controllers (click on the + sign ).
now click on the listed controllers and check what each one says in properties and re-ask your question

Answer 8

Make sure you have upgraded to Windows XP service pack 2. Service pack one and plain XP do not have proper USB 2.0 compatability, so USB 2.0 devices won't work properly

Answer 9

each and every so often if u can see the filename of the attachment on the emails being sent, u can google that call and it will come approximately a plague call ... then google the virus call+removing ...