USB ports quit.

[wiskyfog]

I blew the dust out of my PC and after that my USB ports do not work. To further complicate matters, I have a admin password that requires a keyboard and mouse which are ,of course, USB powered. I thought by taking out the CMOS battery it would defeat the password so i can at least manouver but no such luck. New mobo needed?

[Bizman]

None of them? Or just the front ones? In the latter case the wires just may have loosened. In the former case, given that you've already reset the cmos by taking out the battery, it sounds like it's the mobo. There's a cheap workaround: A pci USB-card.

Are you 100% sure that the USB isn't working at all? The easiest test is to try to go to cmos settings. A working USB would allow that. But since you noticed this after a de-dusting process, it might be that a minor static electric burst just fried your mobo in the USB section. Not much is needed if you're unlucky.

[wiskyfog]

None of them? Or just the front ones? In the latter case the wires just may have loosened. In the former case, given that you've already reset the cmos by taking out the battery, it sounds like it's the mobo. There's a cheap workaround: A pci USB-card.

Are you 100% sure that the USB isn't working at all? The easiest test is to try to go to cmos settings. A working USB would allow that. But since you noticed this after a de-dusting process, it might be that a minor static electric burst just fried your mobo in the USB section. Not much is needed if you're unlucky.

I can't "go" to anything, my mouse and keyboard are not working. Its academic if i cant get past the password.

[Bizman]

Alright then, since you can't go to the cmos settings, it's your motherboard. I understand it's the windows admin password you're unable to type. Unfortunately even that wouldn't help with the usb problem. USB keyboards should work at the POST, letting you choose Delete, F1, F2 or any other motherboard specific button to get to the cmos settings and move around there. If not, you've got no USB. If your motherboard has the good old PS2 connectors, you should be able to type the password and get to windows. Fixing the USB ports from there within wouldn't work, though. Sorry.

[Karnak]

Front or rear USB ports?  Are they hard wired, or do they have a cable attachment on the motherboard?  If there is a cable attachment try unplugging them and plugging them back in.

[Meatwad]

Does your computer have the older 6 pin keyboard port on the back? You might be able to get by if you can get an adapter from usb to 6 pin din plug

[-aper-]

Does your computer have the older 6 pin keyboard port on the back? You might be able to get by if you can get an adapter from usb to 6 pin din plug

Disconnect all other USB devices from your comp. Boot the comp with Linux Live CD (Ubuntu or something) to check if USB keyboard works with Linux or not. If not - it is most likely faulty motherboard (or faulty keyboard).

[Drano]

My old ASUS mobo  all of a sudden booted up one day to the same problem - - all USB ports dead. No explanation they were all just dead. A quick Web search showed it was a problem common with that particular board. Think it was a P4C800-E deluxe. The only thing I could do was buy a USB card that gave me 4 ports back. Used it in that configuration until I retired it.

[wiskyfog]

Got into my system using a serial mouse and kbd.went into device mgr and it sez they are working. the front one works, the back 3 dont.I have power to my X52 but it does not show up in AH or device mgr.

[Bizman]

It's obvious that you've managed to fry the USB controllers for the back panel. They still provide current but not data any more. Take a good look at the back panel connectors, though: I've seen examples where the flat plastic thing inside the connector has broken off and the four pins shortcut. In that case pulling the pins completely away might help. Far fetched, but things like this happen. If that's of no help, then they're gone. Cheap alternative: Get the USB card. Expensive alternative: Get a new motherboard.