Windows 7: USB ports inactive?

I just upgraded to Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit with a fresh installation on a new HDD. I have only put on a few utilities so far, and allowed Windows to do all the updates it wanted.

When I plug a memory stick or externall HDD into the USB ports, nothing happens! I can't see the drive in the Computer view. Do I need to install a USB driver?

Thanks!

Check in bios and make sure the USB is enabled. I usually enable all of them. Then check device manager and see if you have the usb root hubs. Do you have the motherboard CD? Not sure what motherboard you have but mine needs a driver from the CD to operate.

Welcome Allen,

Please use this tutorial to give us more information about your system and hardware so we can help you better:

System Info - See Your System Specs

Regards,
Golden

The USB hubs checked out. I then disvovered that it is only the USB ports on the front of the case that don't work. (This is still an issue, because when the PC is back in its place I won'tbe able to get at the rear ports, but at least I've got somewhere.)

I'm wondering if I disconnected something when I replaced the graphics card. I have a couple of unattached 2-wire leads/connectors (one marked HDD LED and one marked Power LED), but nothing suspicious looking.

Allen0, you should add more detail in your system specs as this will help in tracking down your problem. Just follow the link from Golden above.

Those two leads, HDD LED and Power LED should be connected to the motherboard in the same location as the power switch and reset . Look in the motherboard manual for the location of these. If you don't have the manual, you can download it from the Gigabyte site.

Also in the manual, it shows you where the USB headers are on the motherboard. This is where you connect the front panel USB cables. They are usually keyed and can only be connected one way.
Be sure you do not connect these USB connectors to the Firewire 1394 header as this will damage the board.


Be sure you do not connect the front panel USB cable to a Firewire 1394 header as this will damage your board.

That System Info utility is awesome! (I hope the author has received due recognition and reward.)

I didn't know I had Firewire, but thank you very much for the warning. I shall study my motherboard doco before proceeding.

(Nb. This is the first PC I've built, and it's almost 4 years since it's birth, so that's why I'm a bit vague.)

Hi Allen,

This is the manual for your motherboard:

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 775 - GA-EP45-DS3 (rev. 1.0)

Use that to ensure the front panel cables are properly connected - see page 22 to page 30 for details.

Regards,
Golden

And I thought I was clever when I trained my Delphi app to include the machine name with the user info when it auto-reports application issues to me. I know nothing.

Wow Golden, you are fast. I just looked at the manual myself.

It shows the firewire header right next to the 2 USB headers.
You would only use the firwire header if your case has a front panel firewire connector or you purchase the optional 1394 rear bracket.

I am not sure which case you have, but some cases with USB front panel connectors have cables with complete headers and some only have single connectors for each wire. If your case has the latter, just use the manual to see where each wire goes.
I still have an older case that has single wires but all of my newer ones have headers. Makes life so much easier.

Your suspicions were spot on, guys -- I had the USB ports header in ther Firewire socket.

The USB hubs are working, now. I don't know if I caused any damage. If so, would it be localised to the F/USB or Firewire circuits, or could it be more systemic?

Thanks again!

- Al