usb stick was not installed succesfully

Hi there!
When I plug in a usb stick (2.0 or older) windows 7 shows me the message: " installing new device...". After a few seconds, another message pop-ups: " device driver was not installed succesfully" (I have to mention that I have windows update turned on).

If I heard well, win 7 should have a generic driver which should recognize my device, even if I haven't a certificate for him related with 7...
Help

i don't know...
Are you sure (absolutely sure) that win 7 should automatically install al kind of usb sticks, even if they are 2 years old...
In that case, I'll re-install the os...

Thanks for answer...
Well I checked for details about my pc. It's very new one and do not have "no-name" components. I am absolutely sure that my hardware is in perfect condition.
I also checked Device Manager without the usb device (stick) pluged in... I didn't see any yellow sign...which I believe is a good thing...

I tried 4 usb devices. Only one worked. This was the first tried...I tried it in the first day, when I didn't installed any program on my pc. After a few days I tried the others and receive that message about failure install...I suspect that one of the programs I installed between that period could damage the software (windows ).

I also mention that I have windows update turned on and it is unable to install the drivers...(for usb)

Sorry of my English, but I am not a native English speaker.
Also thank you for the time spent...