USB troubles, devices stop working, cannot reinstall

[RedTideBucs]

First it started with my logitech gamepad, was not detecting it and would not let me reinstall. When the detection software that came with the gamepad started windows hardware wizard would always take over and fail to install the device.

Now my Epson CX4200 printer is doing the same thing! It just stopped working, I tried uninstalling the drivers and everything and reinstalling, but once again when it says turn on your printer/make sure it is connected so it can detect windows hardware wizard seems to take over and the device software does nothing.

I tried downloading updated drivers, this all happened within the past month or so. Seems to be a USB issue.

I have a Asus A8N SLI motherboard running Windows XP Home. I built this thing about a year ago and never had a problem with it, usually good at troubleshooting but this one has me stumped.

Btw, I have a USB mouse and keyboard that are working fine, also the devices work on other PC's which leads me to believe this is a software issue on my pc. I have ran virus and spyware scans.

Thanks.

 

[montag451]

Try this utility and see what it throws up:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usbdeview.zip

 

[RedTideBucs]

I used your program, it showed tons of old devices on there, I deleted all but left my mouse and keyboard, which were all that were still attached. It deleted my keyboard anyway and I was screwed since I have been unable to install or reinstall any USB devices. I ended up just running a repair of XP through setup. Was a pain but it is all fixed now.

 

[montag451]

Yeah,

That proggy needs to be treated with the utmost respect.

 

[RedTideBucs]

I've been a pretty literate user since 1993, haven't even bought a PC the last 10 years, always upgraded and built my own. Never needed tech support or anything, just a visit or two here. So this program, I figured it was safe to delete the devices no longer connected and leave the ones that were. What went wrong? lol. I only ask because of your reply here. Seemed common sense enough to me. I'll likely leave it alone in the future

 

[montag451]

Don't know for sure what did go wrong, as I never had the guts to remove any unused devices (had a bad feeling, and thanks for confirming that my 'geezer intuition' is working)..

At a guess, your usb devices are probably consolidated so if you take out, say, device no.3, , all the higher no. devices move down 1 slot.

But, that is just a guess.