For some reason all my USB ports have stopped working, when I try to update or install drivers I keep getting the same message saying that its not possible to install drivers or that no drivers are available. I took it to a repair shop and was told I would have to reformat it...I'm hoping thats not the only solution as the cost involved is almost the cost of a new laptop....
Hi Loops,
My name is Maran and I work for the Social Media and Community Team at Dell.
With Regards to your issue you can try the steps mentioned below.
1. Boot the system to safe mode & check if the usb ports are working.
How to boot to safe mode. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode
· Restart the system tap the F8 key repeatedly before windows screen.
· The next screen that you would see is Advanced Boot Options, in the list of option using the up & down arrow key highlight safe mode and then press Enter.
· Once system boots into safe mode check if the usb devices connected is working.
2. If the usb devices works fine in Safe mode. Then we need to un-install & re-install the USB drivers.
How to un-install & reinstall USB drives.
· First disconnect all the usb Devices.
· Right click my computer, select properties.
· Next screen select Device manager, Once open device manager
· Click on the > next to universal serial Bus controller.
· Right click on USB root hub & delete it. (do the same for all the USB Root Hub’s)
Restart the system & check if the USB devices work or not.
3. Even after all these steps if you are facing the same issue then try this last option.
· 1-Open my computer
2-Go to C:/Windows/System32/DriverStore
You will have a couple of folders and files.
You will have *.dat files and other file named: infcache.1
3- Right click every file (don’t touch the folders!) and choose properties.
4- go to security tab
5- click Edit
6- choose your account and check the box: full control
7- Click ok.
8- Repeat to every file
9- Select all the files (*.dat and infcache.1)
10- Press shift+del
11- Press OK.
12- Now, go to C:Windows/System32/Driver Store/File Repository/
13- Search for folder named usbstor.inf
14- Open it (if you have more than one, choose the most recent)
15- Copy "usbstor.inf" and "usbstor.PNF"
16- Paste those two files to C:/Windows/inf
17- Reboot your pc and
if the issue is still not resolved, then you might have to re-install the operating system.
Regards,
Dell-Maran L
Hi Maran, Thank you so much for your help. Unfortunately it didn't work. I know I will need to get all my files off the computer before I uninstall the operating system but is there any way to do it other than using DVD's. I have about 140GB of data on the computer.
External hard drive is the way to go. Just copy the Users folder to the external hard drive.
I can't attach an external drive...the USB ports don't work..
Dangit me
I guess you have to use DVD's. Not CD's, CD's only have 700 mb of data, DVD's have 4.7 gb.
I know...was kinda hoping to be able to get around that as it will be a bit time consuming. Thanks for your help though :)
Can you roll back to a prior restore point, a point that was created before the USB's quit working?
F5ing - I tried to do that but the msg says that I have no previous point to restore to?? I have done this before but for some reason it won't allow me to do it now...so frustrating!
Try this: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker (by Brink). Follow it precisely (note running it multiple times).
If that gets you nowhere, try the following. I've never experienced any data loss doing it, but do recommend copying off your data as you never know when something goes wrong: Repair Install (also by Brink).
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