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I just installed SP2 and immediately after that my USB ports stopped responding. Any advice welcomed.

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Good to see this worked for thanks to . For anyone else who runs into USB failure right after installing Windows XP SP2, the Device Manager reinstall trick often fixes driver-level problems. The notes below cover other causes and safe follow-ups that weren't discussed in the thread.

Try these checks next if the ports still misbehave or the problem returns:

  • Check the BIOS: at boot press the key shown by your motherboard (Del/F2 or similar) and confirm any USB controller or "Legacy USB" option is enabled. A disabled controller in BIOS will make Windows see no USB hardware.
  • Update chipset/USB host drivers from the motherboard or system maker before reinstalling devices. XP-era USB problems frequently come from outdated chipset drivers.
  • Power settings: open the properties for each USB Root Hub and disable any "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option. This stops Windows from powering down hubs unpredictably.
  • Isolate hardware: test the same USB device on another PC or try a different device on the suspect ports. If available, boot a Linux live CD/USB to quickly verify whether the ports are hardware-functional.
  • Logs and persistence: check Event Viewer (System) for driver errors and note any error codes. If nothing helps and the timing clearly follows SP2, consider restoring to a pre-SP2 restore point or uninstalling SP2 — but weigh this against the security fixes SP2 provides.

Before making major changes, create a System Restore point and back up important data. If problems persist after these steps, updating the motherboard BIOS and contacting the vendor for known SP2 compatibility notes are the next sensible moves.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

A specific device or all the usb ports ,if all you could try going into Device manager and reinstall the usb ports .

Member Avatar for blox

A specific device or all the usb ports ,if all you could try going into Device manager and reinstall the usb ports .

Caperjack

All ports. But how do I reinstall usb ports - not something I've had to do before.

Member Avatar for caperjack

You go into Device manager by right clicking on mycomputer /properties /,hardware/device manager /and you will see usb in the list , hit the + and hilite each one in the list ,and delete all what there and reboot computer and windows will reinstall them ,

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Caperjack

Thanks for that. USB ports working fine now.

Thanks again.

Blox

Member Avatar for caperjack

Caperjack

Thanks for that. USB ports working fine now.

Thanks again.

Blox

Glad to have helped ,I use to work Phone Tech and we use to have to do that for some Palm problems with Hotsinc and palm Desktop .

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