Have lost a drivers?

[livesound66]

Hi Everybody,

During a recent thunderstorm there was a tremendous flash and bang almost together. I was unable to get to my PC which was on and when I did get there the Windows XP sign was on the screen. I had left it on. I cold booted it and got into Windows XP(Home) but appear have no USB drivers for my hardware.

Device Manager was showing no error signs at all and all USB items were shown as working, although they weren't.I deleted all root USB's and rebooted after unplugging all USB hardware from the PC. I assumed that the drivers are still on the hadrdisk and reconnected all the hardware for Windows to detect and install?

Still no luck though.

I then did a system restore and got back the sound but things like the printer still didn't work.

Any ideas what I can do, apart from reinstalling WidowsXP Windows.


Thanks

 

[HalComps]

have you tried reinstalling the printer drivers and see if that works?

 

[SirBlack]

As HalComps said, try reinstalling the printer driver and if that works, reinstall all other drivers for devices that are still not working. You didn't mention if your system was protected by a Surge Suppressor. If not, I would recommend purchasing a good one. We live in SW Florida so we know the value of these devices. It's saved our butts more than once. Don't buy cheap either.
Cheers, Bob

 

[salem123]

video controller (VGA compatible)

 

[linney]

tremendous flash and bang almost together"

Probably internal damage to the internal circuits (machine or USB peripherals) rather than any software problems.

You could try any other USB Device which was not connected at Storm Time and see if that works? What about your current USB's being tried on another machine too?

Anything USB discoverable via Safe Mode?

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

 

[livesound66]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the advice. I have now tried everthing suggested and have now visited the local repair shop. They seem to think that there was a surge down the phone line through the modem which went back through the computer to the motherboard, and that the part that controls the USB's was damaged. The only solution they have offered is to fit a new 4 plus 1 USB unit at the rear of the tower in a spare PSI slot. This would mean that I would lose all the built in USB ports on the tower, including two on the front.

Before I opt for this solution does anyone know what the logistics of replacing the existing motherboard would involve? I would prefer this option as it would mean that all the existing USB ports would presumably work again? This would be much more convenient for me than running several hubs from the back of the tower to the front to gain plug-ins for all my peripherals.

I await your thoughts with anticipation.Thanks for all your help so far.

 

[edfair]

You disconnect all the offboard connectors and remove the board hold down screws and it basically slides to the front an inch or so and lifts out. You may need to take other things out of the box to clear room, however.

The board replacement is a better option. With surge damage to any part on the M/B you are likely to have a failure to another part on the board sooner than one with no surge damage.

With a strike that close the induced voltages on any wire connected to the board were probably enough to kill it.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[SirBlack]

As suggested earlier, invest in a surge supressor when all is done. One that you can run your phone line thru and/or your cable connection. I found out the hard way as to how power storms can fry your system. Even tho my computer was hooked to a surge suppressor, the strike went thru the phone line. Fortunately, the only damage was to the modem, cheaply & easily replaced. The old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Bob

Remember, if you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.

 

[linney]

Sometimes the swapping of the motherboard, if it is similar or the same brand might be painless. Often it is necessary to run a repair installation of XP to get everything going again. Such a major change may also mean activating Windows again.

How to replace the motherboard on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;824125#appliesto

 

[livesound66]

Thanks for all your help. I have now fitted PCI/USB card and used USB hubs and all is well again. Yes, we have lift-off again. Whoopee!!!
Cheers for now, a grateful member. Oh, by the way the "surge" appears to have come down the phone line and got at the USB's on the motherboard. The modem survived!