alright, so just like any other day I was sitting here using my computer, an IBM T42p Thinkpad. I was just getting ready to plug in my iPod, as I routinely do, when the computer just shuts down. totally dies. I checked to see if everything was plugged in battery-wise, and everything checked out. I pushed the power button repeatedly to try to get it to turn back on, to no avail. after about 15 minutes, the computer randomly came back on!

everything seems to be working fine, (its been about 45 minutes since it came back on) but now my USB ports are not functioning. I have tried looking at the device manager and it says everything is in working order. I also ensured that USB was enabled in BIOS.

everything else seems to work just fine, but I am hoping nothing is seriously wrong with my usb ports, considering I am studying overseas. does anyone have any idea about what happened and how I can get the USB ports working again?

Thanks a million.

3/20/2007 9:14:38 AM

motherboard shortage?


reinstall all usb drivers (root and device) and run a windows repair. If it happens again, try a PCMCIA USB hub.

3/20/2007 9:46:38 AM

under the device manager, I did uninstall all USB devices and reboot...after the computer restarted it redetected and installed the USB driver again, with no luck. it is definitely the ports because I have tried several different USB devices, all of which do not work.

any chance the USB ports are permanently broken?

[Edited on March 20, 2007 at 9:51 AM. Reason : .]

3/20/2007 9:48:21 AM

if all other devices cause a shutdown when plugged in


i'd say your onboard usb is fucked.




to verify, try the PCMCIA card.

3/20/2007 10:43:22 AM