big problem

I'm not good at explaining stuff but i'll do the best i can
Asus A7N8X-E motherboard
AMD processor not sure which one this isn't my computer
formatted and installed windows xp was having issues witht usb ports before format still having issues. They only work when they want to i put my ipod in it it worked i unplugged and plugged in other port not power to it or anything put it back in the first port computer don't recognize it but charge light comes on on ipod unplugged printer to move computer plugged back in same port not working but it was fine before. USB mouse works fine :confused unplugged mouse and swapped with ipod computer shut down on it's own and now won't go past the motherboard thing that loads and says press del to enter setup and it won't even let me in my bios im trying to fix this computer and it's driving me nuts cause i don't wanna give up on it but i'm stumped

 

More information is needed! What SP level of XP are you loading? I think that SP2 fixed some USB issues. That motherboard thing that you referred to is actually the BIOS trying to load a bootstrap loader. Try unplugging every USB device attached to the computer, completely powering down which includes unplugging the computer from the powerstrip or outlet ( most new motherboards draw some power even when turned off ), let it set for a few minutes and plug it back in and try.

 

it loads again thanks

 

Check the ports in the back of the mobo by the backing plate. I have that motherboard and had some issues when I installed it in the case. The metal backing plate has little springy things on it that are supposed to rest on top of the usb and other motherboard little metal boxes at the back of the PC. When the board is installed if you don't pull up a little on those ground springs, one can end up inside the port instead of on top the metal box, causing a short.

Also the wiring to the board can be a real pain, especially if the case has ports and the wires are not the bulk one plug type, but individual wires for each pin. If you don't get the wires exactly right they can cause issues that are hard to diagnose. I kind of remember one I hooked up that had wires +b/-b +c/-c +d/-d and two grounds. If just one of the plus/minus wires was off, the usb was funky.