USB ports not recognising USB devices

I rarely ask for help, but here is one that I might have some help with.

My cousin's ACER 5101 notebook suddenly in the middle of the Skype chat with an USB camera connected lost it's ability to recognize USB devices.

1. Mice are detected, but cannot be used (unknown device)
2. Memory, disks and other "advanced" devices instantly freeze comp, but if I unplug it and plug it in again - it unfreezes and continues working (Windows, not the USB device - it is still dead).
3. BIOS cannot see USB attached bootable devices

I have tried removing devices in device manager, bios upgrade, all tricks with power management, registry tricks and so on. All controllers and hubs are always detected by PNP, but nothing actually works anymore.

Windows is XP pro.

I think it is a hardware issue, and it will be sent for a repair, but I was googling around and saw that many notebooks suffer from this problem, so i just wonder is it possible that there is some other solution other than sending it for a repair (it is still under 1 year warranty). Or just let "them" repair it?


Thanks,

Ivan

 

i'd say try reinstalling sp2. doubtful that's the problem from the description of the initial event, but it looks like you've tried everything else.

i will say that i DONT think it's a hardware issue since all the ports are out. that seems unlikely, i would expect only 1 port to fail at a time if it was actual hardware failure.

EDIT: oh, or there is some malware on the machine

 

I took it to the service and they said it was the mainboard. I asked if it was a common thing among 5100s and they said that actually not. So I guess my cousin was just unlucky. We'll see what happens.

Ivan

 

you may want to take it for a 2nd opinion. replacing a MB is an easy way for a shop to make 400 or 500 bux. it's like taking your car to a mechanic and he just makes up an expensive repair to get paid.