USB game controllers stop working... Help needed please

I hope someone can help me troubleshoot this as it is driving me crazy! I have a dedicated PC (Win7 x64) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, but I can't fly at all at the moment because of this issue, unless I use the keyboard to input everything (not really an option!).

I load up the sim (FS2004) and start doing the normal 'game' preparations, but usually within ten minutes - it seems to be getting worse as time goes on - both my Saitek X52 joystick (USB) and my Belkin Nostromo N52 (USB) stop working, at the same moment moreover. I assumed it was a USB issue, though my keyboard and mouse still work just fine. Also, when I go into the Saitek Control Panel (where you test all the buttons and functions are working) everything responds as normal, it's just in Flight Simulator, my profile (that is, with what keyboard functions I have programmed all the buttons etc.) is unloaded and a default (I assume) takes over - the button I use to remove aircraft brakes now operates flaps instead; the 'hat' which changes views from exterior to interior now does nothing at all, and so on.The keyboard shortcuts I have programmed into the X52 and N52 still work if I input them via the keyboard instead.

In addition, the Saitek icon in the task bar changes to a blue circle and I cannot access any of the functions which are normally available there - clicking the blue circle does nothing. If I terminate the Saitek profiler process in Task Manager and unplug then plug the X52 back into the USB port, the device lights up, but no icon reappears in the system tray... As for the N52, I can still access the programming software, but the device itself is to all intents and purposes dead, no lights at all.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the programme software and drivers, but to no avail. Removing the USB connectors for the X52 and N52 and replacing them does nothing, I need to reboot. But then the same thing happens again, usually before I ever get to take off.

I suppose I could try uninstalling all the USB ports in Device Manager and rebooting, but I am far from convinced that the problem is with the USB itself, otherwise the Control Panel for the X52 wouldn't show all the buttons, rotaries and sliders working OK), I can't think of what else to do, despite Googling this till my head is swimming! The fact that the N52 stops too is really puzzling... which points to something generic rather that specific to Flight Simulator (otherwise I wouldn't post this here).


No information relating to this appears in Event Viewer at all, that I can see.

Appreciate any ideas!

Thanks,

Martin