Problem with USB flash drive?

Hi everyone, haven't posted here in a while, sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I'm having a problem with a generic (made by Medion, a German company I think) USB flash drive. I'm not sure if its the drive itself, the USB ports, or the computer, though...

Essentially, the problems started when my brother pulled out my flash drive without 'stopping' the device first. Now the computer won't recognise anything plugged into the USB ports; it won't even charge his iPod.

When I re-insert the device, this is what happens:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/sightsquared/pic1.jpg

After clicking 'unknown device':
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/sightsquared/pic2.jpg

After checking the driver properties:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/sightsquared/pic3.jpg

System Details:
Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 3

AMD Athalon XP 1500+
1.35GHz, 704MB of RAM

Right now I'm trying updating Windows to see if that works. Is there a definite solution to this? My dissertation ('term paper' I think, for any non-UK geeks out there) is saved to the drive and I need to access it ASAP, though I do have a backup on my other computer.

Thanks in advance!

 

"it won't even charge his iPod." USB ports are normally protected by single shot SMD fuses or self resetting trips, it's possible something like this has failed if you have no power there.

I wouldn't rule out software yet as on some systems the software can control the voltage at USB ports.

if you have a multimeter check to see if you have any power there- http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml

 

With some mini drives removing without going through the hardware removal will cause a fatal flaw.
Uninstall and reinstall the drivers and try the drive in another port/ computer.
If the drive went bad you might try formatting to save it but the data may require professional recovery if you must save it.