Can a failing Processor cause usb's and audio to not function?

Hello All:

I am working on a Toshiba laptop L505-GS6003 with an AMD Athlon Dual core M320.
Usb ports stopped working. Having no power to the ports and after seeing no ports in the management console I noticed the high def audio was not functioning as well. Uninstalled and reinstalled the audio driver fails without error code. "Cannot Start" being the only explanation available.

I assumed the motherboard or the usb daughterboard to be failing. After replacing both the same issue exists. Booting with Mint also confirms that the USB and Audio malfunction. 2) different but same model motherboards. One original and one new replacement (not used). the only thing I can imagine is the processor is beginning to fail. All devices unplugged including DVD, Hard drive New 2gb stick of ddr3 memory. speakers removed. all with the same result.

could the processor function correctly with the exception of usb and audio?

I am grasping at straws here now. I highly doubt the cpu would cause this. However we are talking 2 different MB's, 2 different USB daughter boards, Audio unplugged (speakers and vol buttons on the top plate, hard drive out. different dvd drive, different power supply (adapter).
Windows performs wonderfully with the exception of the usb and audio. Linux performs flawlessly with the exdeption of usb and again audio. two different Mobo's to different Bios's. errrrk.

Failed to find reasoning behind this problem. Although unsolved I am marking as solved to move on to other things. This computer is under 3 yo and HP has been no help. Replacement PC will be a Lenovo or Asus. Thanks for trying and have a nice day.