all 4 USB port dead on Laptop

[mlc]

I am fixing an old Gateway 6510GZ laptop for a friend.. and got through most of the problems except one.. all of the USB ports appear to be dead. .not recognizing any flash drives I've tried...

I rebuilt the OS, tried uninstalling and letting window reinstall the USB controller/hubs via device manager.. I've also tried reinstalling the chipset drivers....

So now i'm down to thinking it's a hardware issue . .or perhaps a Bios related issue.. The bios does show USB enabled.. and I did try resetting to defaults, anyway.. but no luck..

I'm thinking I might try reflashing the bios.. but I Gatways support site doesn't have one..

1)Anyone know where I may be able to find a copy of the bios to try reflashing?
2) any other suggestions about the USB that I may not have thought of ?

Thanks in advance..
Mike

 

[KGB]

2) Could be a short/open in the 5VDC line that supplies your USB peripherals with power.

When you plug in a thumb drive, does an indicator light up on the drive?

 

[mlc]

when i plug into 2 of the ports.. there is a very, very faint light.. but no recognition of the drive by the system. .and the other 2 ports show no light at all

 

[Puppies04]

I have seen a lot of laptops over the years with dead usb ports, just seems to be something that degrades over time unfortunatly.