After install, USB devices ID'ed but can't be accessed

Your DVD drive works, correct? I'd download LiveCD and use it to access your files. It's an Ubuntu (Linux) disc that boots up and allows you to access everything on your hard drive. It also supports external USB devices, so you can back up your important data and then reinstall Windows 7

Or, you can remove your hard drive and slave it into another computer. Then, you can copy the files over, and then reinstall the drive and install Windows 7 again.

Or, you can install another drive in the original's place, and install Windows 7 on that one.

If you want to go the LiveCD route...https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

johnkelly - First, stop posting the same thing over and over again. Second, the OP doesn't have a problem with unrecognized devices.

If you decide to do a Clean install, disconnect all peripherals keep only keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Did you try to assign a drive letter to your external HD?

If it won't in Disk Management then try a Partition Manager like Partition Wizard, Paragon Manager or Easeus Partition Manager.