MP3 players' connecting and disconnecting continuosly

I have a Sandisk Sansa e200 as well as a Samsung Z5. when either one
is connected to our living room computer, i hear the connect/disconnect
tones about 5-8 times and then nothing. Windows Media Player 11 does
not show that either device is connected, nor does Windows Explorer. i
have ruled out that this is a device error because i am able to sync
either device to my laptop without problems as well as to a third
computer. the devices do recieve power through the USB ports as i am
able to charge them despite the lack of connection.

any ideas? i would like to avoid taking this machine to the Geek Squad
and getting reemed for some excessive fee.