R40 Type 2897-83U USB Failure

[JSSIDFW]

Both USB ports have failed even though the device manager shows they are working properly. I have uninstalled the USB controllers and re-booted several times. The system recognizes the USB controllers and root hubs on rebooting, but my USB devices (laser mouse, keyboard, and memory stick) still are not recognized when they are plugged into the ports. They were all working fine until I plugged in my Blackberry's USB cable to sync up to my Thinkpad. It's never given me any problems on previous syncs with this set-up. I also checked the BIOS (USB is enabled) and ran the PC Diagnostic at start-up without any success in solving the USB problem.
Any suggestions?

[storage_man]

Try the following procedure. Windows sometimes gets the USB stack screwed up.

Unplug ALL USB devices.
Open Device Manager.
View, Show Hidden Devices.
Uninstall all devices under USB Controllers.
Uninstall all devices under Storage Volumes. Say no to any reboot prompts until you are finished. Also, if a Storage Volume doesn't uninstall, ignore it and move to the next one.
If you have a yellow ? with unknown devices, uninstall all of the entries there as well.

When this is done, reboot TWICE.

Reconnect the USB devices and see if they're recognized properly.

Storage_man

[JSSIDFW]

Did that already after seeing your post to a similar USB problem elsewhere. It did not solve my USB problems. Why would the USB ports still have power as my SanDisk memory stick and optical mouse light up but they are not recognized by the system

[storage_man]

This could be a hardware problem, The stack fix will fix some of the windows problems, but what your describing looks more and more like a hardware problem. You probably have a port to controller problem

The reason you see power to your device is power is supplied via one of the pins on the USB port. It seems like the power is being supplied.

You could purchase this product http://lpt.usbfireinfo.com/ It would propably find your problem but Its going to cost you $40. Or you may want to try/buy a CARDBUS adapter that has USB. If the CARDBUS works, then the hardware usb ports on the Mother board have been fried.

Trying to get them fixed probably isn't worth it - You may need a new MB and if that is the case, you might as well buy another laptop.

I haven't checked lately but I think my 4 port USB 2.0 CARDBUS only cost me $25. I have a R31 which only has USB 1.1 on board. I use the 1.1 connections for my USB FLoppy and my USB trackball. Anything else ie: DVD Burners and External Harddrives, I connect to the CARDBUS adapter. It works extremely well.

Storage_man

[JSSIDFW]

Sounds like CARDBUS adapter with USB ports is the more affordable work-around. Thanks again for the tip