Do I really have to reinstall Windows and if so...

CravingSaving

I am having problems with installing/connecting any USB devices, eg phone, camera, mass storage devices... I get a Data Error message when connecting anything.

I have run diagnostics of all sorts, have uninstalled and reinstalled drivers all to no avail. My latest bit of advice was to re-install Windows. I am sure I have the disc somewhere, but before I do that, can I ask your advice please?

Do you agree that this is a good move? If so, what am I likely, if anything, to lose from my pc by way of photos, documents, music etc? As I have no way of backing anything up onto removable storage I am somewhat concerned!

I have a Dell Inspiron 6400, which is out of warranty period so Dell wont help me, but I have done all updates possible from their website.

Oh, and could I have any advice in numpty idiots guide language please.:o

Thanks!

Browntoa

if you have the XP cd there is an option to repair windows , which does not result in data loss (99.9 % of the time)

just boot the PC with the XP cd

robnye

if oyu cant find your disc, but have the licence code stamped on the side of the pc (as is the norm nowadays),

then contact microsoft , explain cant find disc, they should be able to supply a new disc for a fee

CravingSaving

thanks for your replies. Microsoft don't send out discs anymore, but I have downloaded the XP setup disc from their website. Now I need to find 6 discs to copy it onto! Ha, not sure if I can save to cd, but will give it a go....

if I can save to disc, then I will save my pics etc just in case!!

Before I do this though...... (the repair option seeming the most attractive at the moment), do you think this is necessary, or do you have any other advice or nuggets of information as to why I cant connect any hardware...??

My brain hurts...

sievm

Repairing or re-installing windows would only sort a problem out if it was Windows related and not a hardware fault. Re-installing would wipe all your data - not what you want - and seems a bit drastic unless all other avenues have been explored.

Have you tried all the USB ports (front and back) - I have seen a computer where the front ports stopped working but the back ones were ok.

Then you should check to see if windows is reporting any errors with the USB controllers. Go into Control Panel and click on the System icon (if in Category view you need to click on "Performance and Maintenance" after opening control panel and then System).

Go to the Hardware Tab and Click on the "Device Manager" button - at the bottom of the window that pops up there should be a line "Universal Serial Bus controllers". If there is a yellow exclamation mark alongside this is would indicate an issue.

If there are no issues in the Device Manager you could try uninstalling all the USB controllers (right click each line and uninstall) and then reboot - XP should then install them when it re-starts.

Keep us posted.

Browntoa

check these 2 are enabled

http://www.tweakxp.com/article37087.aspx

Unstoppable_2

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REINSTALL WINDOWS.

Assuming the USB ports aren't faulty, you have a corrupt USBSTOR.sys file. That and usbstor.inf need to be re-installed and these need to go into \windows\system32\drivers

There's plenty of places on the internet to download them from.

CravingSaving

sievm wrote: »

Have you tried all the USB ports (front and back) - I have seen a computer where the front ports stopped working but the back ones were ok.

Yes, same problem with all ports, and also the little memory card slot thingy on side of laptop.

Then you should check to see if windows is reporting any errors with the USB controllers. Go into Control Panel and click on the System icon (if in Category view you need to click on "Performance and Maintenance" after opening control panel and then System). No errors reported.

Go to the Hardware Tab and Click on the "Device Manager" button - at the bottom of the window that pops up there should be a line "Universal Serial Bus controllers". If there is a yellow exclamation mark alongside this is would indicate an issue. No issues found

If there are no issues in the Device Manager you could try uninstalling all the USB controllers (right click each line and uninstall) and then reboot - XP should then install them when it re-starts. Ahh.... here I had a problem. I tried to uninstall USB controllers (after creating a backup point) but device manager "stopped responding".

Keep us posted.

I have yet to try the link posted on the post above (if that makes sense) but I have started to copy all my photos and documents to CD - thankfully that function still works!! Though.... halfway through doing some of this, I did get a windows error message saying something about it closing the application to prevent a security issue.. cant remember the exact wording, but the laptop then froze completely and yet again I had to reboot it. :wall:

CravingSaving

Browntoa wrote: »

check these 2 are enabled

http://www.tweakxp.com/article37087.aspx

thanks for this.... I have taken a look at this page, but it only gives me half the info I need. Do I need to be in Device Manager? Where to I go from Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance?

Sorry, I did say I was a numpty!:o

Browntoa

it's actually

Control Panel

then

Administrative Tools

then

Services

and they are both in the list

Universal Plug and Play Device Host

AND

SSDP Discovery Service


should show status as Started and manual

streather

If the fix browntoa doesn't work and you do have to reinstall windows Dell usually have a restore partition that'll restore your machine to how it originally came from the factory, i cant remember how to restore though, if you still have your manual for it, it'll be covered in there somewhere.