usb port help

hello,
i have a usb port on the front of my hard drive that used to work but for some reason it has stopped working.When i plug in my usb cable from my psp onto the computer an icon comes up at the bottom of the screen stating that the device is not recognized .It then directs me to device manager but it says the device is unknown .When i double click device status it says that i have no drivers installed for this device.I then clicked on drivers to update the driver but it comes back with the wizard could not find a better match for your hardware than the software you currently have installed,it then says click to finish.I have since tried it again, but now when i plug it in the port it doesnt even come up with the not recognized fault now.I have tyried other cables as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as it save me having to pull out the computer desk to get at the rear usb ports.

Thank you.

 

It could be that the drivers for the device is no longer installed or has been corrupted. Install the driver from the disc for the device, or download it from the manufacturer's web site. Have you tried any other devices in the USB port that's giving you trouble? Try a flash drive or an iPod or even a printer to see if it is indeed the port or a driver problem.

 

yes plodr i have also tried a memory stick and it works fine at the back of the computer,its just the front port.

dlb,i didnt get a disc for a memory stick,i think it should do it automatically shouldn't it? It says it is not recognized so maybe its the driver but it does nothing when i try to update one.Where would i get a driver from?It is a time computer amd athlon(tm)xp2400+2.00ghz.256mb of ram..

Thanks

 

You can get the USB driver as part of the motherboard chipset drivers, and they should be available from your motherboard/PC maker. However, if the rear USB ports work then it is not a driver issue. The port may be physically damaged. Have you tried another device in the same port? You could also try opening the case and seeing if there's another header on the motherboard to which you could connect the front USB port, just be sure to unplug the power cord first.

 

Good advice dlb.
My daughter always had the usb to ipod connected at the front of the computer,i bet she has damaged it by knocking it( 1 months grounding,lol).Anyway when i put ithe memory stick in , i have to waggle it at a certain point to get the led on it to light up so i suppose that is telling me that it is faulty.I have tried other devices in that port without any luck.I will open the casing tomorrow ,is the header just a point where the port sort of snaps into ? I am not brilliant at computers but i will have a go tomorrow.

Much appreciated.

 

OK. Now that you've told me this, it's pretty obvious that the port is physically damaged. We could saved alot of time if you have mentioned the iPod and wiggling sooner. There's no point in opeing the case unless you want to try to remove and replace the port which shouldn't be too difficult, if you know what you're doing and have a replacement part or a real good idea of what you want to do. Personally, I think the easiest way to handle this would be to get yourself a 4 port USB hub, plug it into a rear USB port, then using some double-sided tape (or adhesive velcro strips) mount the hub on top of the PC right above the CD/DVD drives. Some folks like to mount it vertically on the side of the case. If the cable is long enough you could put the hub where-ever you want (I put a USB port on the top left edge of my keyboard so I could conveniently use my thumb drive).

 

Here's an example of what I'm talking about, a nice small hub that will work nicely with a velcro strip or double sided tape
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817113019

 

thanks for the info dlb,i will purchase one of those usb hub.I have looked inside the casing and to be honest it looks a faff on ,i cant even see the front port without dismantling other things so it will be easier to buy one.

Thanks